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April 10, 2006: Cell Phone Use on Planes

Should cell phones be allowed on planes? The FCC has been considering such a move for the past three years, yet so far no action has been taken. Originally, cell phone usage on planes were banned because they were believe to cause interference to delicate onboard airplane instruments, although the FCC has never found that a cell phone device has ever caused such an accident.

A recent study by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University found that cell phones, and other electronic devices, might actually cause more harm than was previously believed. More specifically, it seems that cell phones could "disrupt the operation of cockpit instruments, including the Global Positioning System receivers that are becoming more common in helping to ensure safe landings."

Electronic device emission was tested on several flights using a laptop and electronic equipment that was modified for safe usage.

The CMU group also found that even though cell phone usage on planes has been outlawed, 1 to 4 cell phone calls were actually made during a flight, with some calls originating during the most critical parts of the flight - the takeoff and landing.

Citing the results of the study, the CMU group recommended tighter electronics emissions monitoring on airplanes, and better cooperation between the FCC and the FAA. The group also advised the FCC to continue the ban on cell phone use on flights.

Besides the risks with possible interference with critical instruments, it doesn't seem as if many people would embrace an FCC decision to lift the ban on cell phone usage on airplanes. With the small area of a plane mostly being taken up by passengers, rampant cell phone usage would be horrific, to say the least. After all, who would want to sit in the middle seat with passengers on both sides jabbering on their cell phones?

("Study: In-flight cell calls pose risk to planes" http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06060/662669.stm www.post-gazette.com 3 April 2006.)

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