bob@morningstar.com (Bob Sutterfield) (11/16/89)
In article <telecom-v09i0512m04@vector.dallas.tx.us> tel@cdsdb1.att.com (Thomas E Lowe) writes: If I remember correctly, it isn't illegal to use a cellular phone in a private plane. The reason they are illegal in 'public' planes is because they can interfere with the electronics in the cock pit (ahem - that's "cockpit", please :-) and elsewhere on the plane and the pilot as little control over that. You've probably never flown in anything but a "private" (legally meaningless term) aircraft. "Public aircraft" means "used only in the service of agovernment or a political subdivision" (e.g. military, police helicopters, etc.). The other kind is "Civil" which encompasses everything else, including air carriers, commercial operators, and not-for-hire guys like me. You're referring to FAR 91.19, the prohibition against certain portable electronic devices on US-registered civil aircraft operated by an air carrier or commercial operator (what you probably meant by "public") or under instrument flight rules. In a private plane, the pilot supposedly has total control, so it he is getting interference, it is up to him to stop it. 91.19(b)(5): The operator (not necessarily the pilot) of any aircraft makes the determination of whether navigation or communication will be interfered with. 91.19(a): The operator or pilot in command is responsible for enforcement. 91.3(a): The pilot in command is the final authority as to the operation of the aircraft. No matter the size or use. The pilot "has total control" and responsibility in every case. Commercial operators and air carriers generally have blanket policies regarding use of portable electronic devices on their flights, so their pilots or cabin attendants (with authority delegated by the pilot in command) don't have to make case-by-case decisions. Their policies are generally pretty conservative, as you might expect. Also, because of the signal pattern of cellular ground stations, cellular phones shouldn't work to well in the air. I do believe this was actually discussed a while back here in Telecom. It's an FCC issue, not an FAA issue. The problem is one of too many cells playing catch with the call, as has been thoroughly cussed and discussed in Telecom, I believe. There are mobile telephones that are FAA- and FCC-certified for use in aircraft, but they use different technology than ground-based cellular systems. They're also quite a bit more expensive. Please correct me if I'm wrong. OK, we're deviating quite a bit from Telecom, but since you asked...