Do you think it’s kind of lame that you have to turn off your laptops, tablets and other toys during takeoff and landing ? Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski agrees with you. He’s calling for an easing of the ban on using mobile phones and other electronic devices on airplanes during takeoff and landing.
In a letter this week to the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates the airline industry, Genachowski pushed for a new look at the ban.
“I write to urge the FAA to enable greater use of tablets, e-readers and other portable electronic devices during flight, consistent with public safety,” the FCC chief said in the letter, seen Friday by AFP, to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
Genachowski said the FAA has begun a review of these rules, and added that “I support” the initiative.
“The review comes at time of tremendous innovation as mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives,” the letter said.
“They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost US competitiveness.”
The ban is in place based on the assumption that devices could interfere with an airplane’s navigation equipment. But there have been questions about the validity of this claim, and many point out that some people forget to turn off their devices during flights and nothing bad has happened. Thus you can’t be surprised that this is coming up as a topic for discussion.
My opinion? Let’s get someone to look at this issue scientifically and base whether a ban on electronics stays or goes based on that. That way, the issue is settled once and for all.
FCC Chairman Calls For Lifting Of Electronics Ban On Airplanes
Posted in Commentary with tags Airplanes, FAA, FCC on December 11, 2012 by itnerdDo you think it’s kind of lame that you have to turn off your laptops, tablets and other toys during takeoff and landing ? Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski agrees with you. He’s calling for an easing of the ban on using mobile phones and other electronic devices on airplanes during takeoff and landing.
In a letter this week to the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates the airline industry, Genachowski pushed for a new look at the ban.
“I write to urge the FAA to enable greater use of tablets, e-readers and other portable electronic devices during flight, consistent with public safety,” the FCC chief said in the letter, seen Friday by AFP, to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
Genachowski said the FAA has begun a review of these rules, and added that “I support” the initiative.
“The review comes at time of tremendous innovation as mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives,” the letter said.
“They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost US competitiveness.”
The ban is in place based on the assumption that devices could interfere with an airplane’s navigation equipment. But there have been questions about the validity of this claim, and many point out that some people forget to turn off their devices during flights and nothing bad has happened. Thus you can’t be surprised that this is coming up as a topic for discussion.
My opinion? Let’s get someone to look at this issue scientifically and base whether a ban on electronics stays or goes based on that. That way, the issue is settled once and for all.
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