Passenger-carried GPS receivers and takeoff's and landing's
From USA Today and Ask The Captain - Meryl Getline
Why do passenger-carried GPS receivers have to be turned off during takeoff and landing and for some airlines during the entire flight?
Answer: GPS devices fall under the Federal Air Regulations governing Portable Electronic Devices, also known as PEDS. They fall under a category of electronic devices known as "non-intentional transmitters." Although their function is to receive and not to transmit, they do emit some radiation as do all electronic devices. The FAA makes no distinction between these "non-intentional transmitters" and intentional transmitters such as cellphones and two-way radios with regard to the regulation restricting the use of PEDS during takeoff and landing.
Individual airlines have the authority to permit the use of GPS devices when not in the takeoff or landing phase, however, and while some airlines do permit their use, others do not. Some airlines even provide GPS tracking as part of their entertainment systems. The subject of GPS use happens to be a popular question from readers, and the reader who sent me the following link has my thanks. Here you can see the various airline policies on GPS use during flight. Even a casual glance at this list tells you more airlines approve the use of handheld GPS devices during cruise flight than prohibit it.
I can't vouch for the accuracy or currency of this list, although I don't see any obvious errors, so it's a good idea to check with your airline before using your GPS during your flight. The last time I flew, as a passenger on Alaska Airlines, the flight attendants not only announced the airline's policy (which prohibited the use of personal GPS's at any time during the flight), but I noticed this policy appeared in their in-flight magazine as well.
Even if you're flying on a carrier you believe permits the use of GPS in cruise flight, if any crewmember asks you to turn it off you are still obligated by law to follow their instructions. Hopefully this would not be the case, but it could happen. All crewmembers are supposed to be familiar with their airline's policies, but policies do change on short notice sometimes and mistakes can and have been made regarding what's allowable and what is not.
Some airlines leave the decision whether or not to allow GPS use up to the captain, so check the link above and if this is the case, be sure to try to get permission before the flight starts and the flight attendants get too busy. Of course, the captain can overrule the use of GPS's any time, regardless of the airline's general policy. This is not a likely scenario, but it could happen. The captain always has the final word. However, if an airline's policy is to allow GPS use, it's unlikely he/she would either know or care if you're using your personal GPS.
Why do passenger-carried GPS receivers have to be turned off during takeoff and landing and for some airlines during the entire flight?
Answer: GPS devices fall under the Federal Air Regulations governing Portable Electronic Devices, also known as PEDS. They fall under a category of electronic devices known as "non-intentional transmitters." Although their function is to receive and not to transmit, they do emit some radiation as do all electronic devices. The FAA makes no distinction between these "non-intentional transmitters" and intentional transmitters such as cellphones and two-way radios with regard to the regulation restricting the use of PEDS during takeoff and landing.
Individual airlines have the authority to permit the use of GPS devices when not in the takeoff or landing phase, however, and while some airlines do permit their use, others do not. Some airlines even provide GPS tracking as part of their entertainment systems. The subject of GPS use happens to be a popular question from readers, and the reader who sent me the following link has my thanks. Here you can see the various airline policies on GPS use during flight. Even a casual glance at this list tells you more airlines approve the use of handheld GPS devices during cruise flight than prohibit it.
I can't vouch for the accuracy or currency of this list, although I don't see any obvious errors, so it's a good idea to check with your airline before using your GPS during your flight. The last time I flew, as a passenger on Alaska Airlines, the flight attendants not only announced the airline's policy (which prohibited the use of personal GPS's at any time during the flight), but I noticed this policy appeared in their in-flight magazine as well.
Even if you're flying on a carrier you believe permits the use of GPS in cruise flight, if any crewmember asks you to turn it off you are still obligated by law to follow their instructions. Hopefully this would not be the case, but it could happen. All crewmembers are supposed to be familiar with their airline's policies, but policies do change on short notice sometimes and mistakes can and have been made regarding what's allowable and what is not.
Some airlines leave the decision whether or not to allow GPS use up to the captain, so check the link above and if this is the case, be sure to try to get permission before the flight starts and the flight attendants get too busy. Of course, the captain can overrule the use of GPS's any time, regardless of the airline's general policy. This is not a likely scenario, but it could happen. The captain always has the final word. However, if an airline's policy is to allow GPS use, it's unlikely he/she would either know or care if you're using your personal GPS.
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7:46 AM
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