The Federal Aviation Administration is considering draft recommendations from an advisory panel that would allow airplane passengers to use some personal electronic devices during takeoff, taxi and landing, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Currently, the use of all electronic devices is banned at the start and end of flights, a prohibition that increasingly irritates passengers who are ever more dependent on constant access to their computers, smartphones, digital music devices and e-readers.
The ban was instituted decades ago, out of concern that electromagnetic interference generated by personal devices could disrupt navigation and radio communications systems on flights, the Journal said. The FAA later concluded that devices do not pose significant risk at higher altitudes, and limited the restrictions to the beginnings and ends of flights.
With further advances in technology and testing, many experts have concluded that the electromagnetic fields generated by today’s hand-held electronic devices are too weak to wreak havoc with the systems on an airplane, the newspaper said.
The Journal said the recommended rule changes don’t address cellphone use because the advisory panel was not authorized to consider that issue.
A decision on the recommendations is not expected before the fall.
Currently, the use of all electronic devices is banned at the start and end of flights, a prohibition that increasingly irritates passengers who are ever more dependent on constant access to their computers, smartphones, digital music devices and e-readers.
The ban was instituted decades ago, out of concern that electromagnetic interference generated by personal devices could disrupt navigation and radio communications systems on flights, the Journal said. The FAA later concluded that devices do not pose significant risk at higher altitudes, and limited the restrictions to the beginnings and ends of flights.
With further advances in technology and testing, many experts have concluded that the electromagnetic fields generated by today’s hand-held electronic devices are too weak to wreak havoc with the systems on an airplane, the newspaper said.
The Journal said the recommended rule changes don’t address cellphone use because the advisory panel was not authorized to consider that issue.
A decision on the recommendations is not expected before the fall.