jay@splut.UUCP (Jay Maynard) (02/12/88)
In article <1988Feb1.235615.2612@nonvon.uucp>, apn@nonvon.uucp (Alex P Novickis) writes: > No need for X-rays. I recently traveled from SFO to El Paso/TX and back > thru San Diego. I hand carried a laptop with me... all the security > asked me to, after I refused to have it x-rayed, was to "Plug it in". I did, > and they watched the machine boot... and that apparently convinced their > naive little brains, that it was indeed not a bomb. This matches my experience with a Compaq Plus, as well. On a related topic: Once you get your (battery-powered) laptop on the plane in the passenger compartment, can you use it in flight? I remember that there was a section in the FARs that said that passengers were prohibited from using any electronic devices; the rationale was that the magnetic field generated would throw off the instrumentation. Since then, though, I've read reviews of laptops comparing how useful they were when balanced on the tray-table. This would imply that they could indeed be used in flight. Any enlightenment on this to be found? (I included rec.aviation so that we could get some FAR experts involved. Please edit the newsgroups: line when following up.) -- Jay Maynard, K5ZC (@WB5BBW)...>splut!< | GEnie: JAYMAYNARD CI$: 71036,1603 uucp: {uunet!nuchat,academ!uhnix1,{ihnp4,bellcore,killer}!tness1}!splut!jay Never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by stupidity. The opinions herein are shared by none of my cats, much less anyone else.
jbrown@jplpub1.jpl.nasa.gov (Jordan Brown) (02/19/88)
In article <374@splut.UUCP> jay@splut.UUCP (Jay Maynard) writes: >On a related topic: Once you get your (battery-powered) laptop on the plane >in the passenger compartment, can you use it in flight? I remember that >there was a section in the FARs that said that passengers were prohibited >from using any electronic devices; the rationale was that the magnetic field >generated would throw off the instrumentation. The FARs say, essentially, that it's up to the Pilot In Command and the operator (the airline) whether or not you can use "electronic devices". This is true both for air carriers and for GA type airplanes. I believe that it's a coin flip out there whether some particular airline allows them; ask first. (my FARs are downstairs, so no chapter-and-verse, sorry.) Magnetics aren't terribly important. However, your computer (and most complex electronics) is a pretty good radio transmitter, on quite a few bands. The theory is that this could screw up some of the more sensitive navigation systems. Apparently it doesn't seem to be a problem in real life, or the FAA would flat out disallow them.
jbrown@jplpub1.jpl.nasa.gov (Jordan Brown) (02/20/88)
In article <5481@elroy.Jpl.Nasa.Gov> jbrown@jplpub1.UUCP (Jordan Brown) writes: >In article <374@splut.UUCP> jay@splut.UUCP (Jay Maynard) writes: >> [can you use laptops in flight?] > >The FARs say, essentially, that it's up to the Pilot In Command and the >operator (the airline) whether or not you can use "electronic devices". >This is true both for air carriers and for GA type airplanes. I believe >that it's a coin flip out there whether some particular airline allows >them; ask first. (my FARs are downstairs, so no chapter-and-verse, sorry.) Well, I received one complaint saying that I was wrong, and I was, at least partially. Here's chapter and verse... 14 cfr 91.19 Portable electronic devices (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of any aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S. registered civil aircraft: (1) Aircraft operated by an air carrier or other commercial operator; or (2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR. (b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to: (1) Portable voice recorders; (2) Hearing aids; (3) Heart pacemakers; (4) Electric shavers; or (5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used. (c) In the case of an aircraft operated by an air carrier or commercial operator, the determination required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by the air carrier or commercial operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used. In the case of other aircraft, the determination may be made by the pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft. SO... you must have the airline's permission. However, remember... 14 cfr 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command. (a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. So if the PIC says NO, then that's the answer. (Actually, if he says YES, that's the answer too, but overriding the FARs in that direction is frowned upon, whereas anything you can justify as being in the interests of safety is more acceptable.) As I said, ASK FIRST. (oh well, bite my tongue. I didn't ask the last few times I've used one...) The PIC is probably one of the best people to ask, because it's his job and ticket (and life) that are on the line if he says Yes when the real answer is No. The agent at the counter is less deeply steeped in these things, and (I would say) less likely to know the *real* answer. But why would anybody want to use a machine without a hard disk anyway? Sleep, watch the movie, read a book, watch the scenery. Plenty of time to work on the ground. :-)