Mobile phone use on aircraft 'is accident risk'

According to the Sctosman, a global ban on the use of mobile phones on aircraft is likely to stay in place, despite advances in communications technology, after experts confirmed the signals could jam a pilot's instruments and therefore cause an accident.

"Although it has never been proved a phone was directly responsible for an accident, pilots have reported several incidents where people using mobiles affected flight navigation and control systems."

The investigators' report concluded the "possibility must remain that ... interference from the pilot's own cellphone might have caused erroneous indications".

The CAA said it would not lift its ban on mobile phone use on aircraft unless it was proved "100 per cent safe".

[Phonemag]

emily | 11:23 AM | Cell Phones while driving/flying/sailing |
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