Good news for frequent travelers! In what seems to be a huge step for technology in general, US Aviation regulators have deemed the use of smartphones and tablets as “˜safe‘ during take-off and landing.
Sure, it‘s only US airlines that will allow the use of smartphones and tablets for now, but they may well be leading by example and other countries might soon follow suit.
US airline carriers will allow the use of any smartphone, tablet and e-reader during the entire flight. It is believed that the official “˜OK‘ will be given by the end of the year.
However, US airline Delta said that they had submitted a plan to the airline regulator and, upon being given the go-ahead, will be able to let customers on domestic flights use their devices as of today, November 1st.
These changes now mean that your flight won‘t be as boring. Passengers can now read e-books, watch videos or movies on their tablet or play games for the duration of their flight.
According to reports, this will be allowed n US airlines on both domestic and international flights.
However, the use of smartphones doesn‘t mean using electronics in air is now a free for all – some rules do still apply.
Internet connections for email, downloading and web surfing will be prohibited below 10 000 feet. Also, nothing changes when it comes to cellular calls – they‘re out.
Cellular calls are banned on flights because of the possible radio interference it may cause with the flight equipment.
Other airlines, who would like to allow their passengers the use of their devices, will have to perform safety checks before changing their policies on device use.
Airline carriers will have to show the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that their airplanes are able to handle the effects that mobile devices have on their flight avionics.
The UK is apparently also keen to get on board with the new regulations, with a spokesman for the UK Civil Aviation Authority saying the new rules for US carriers may have a “œknock-on effect“ for British airlines.
So, now all there is to do is wait and see whether or not our local airlines will adopt the new regulations. In the mean time, start collecting movies for your next CPT – JHB trip.
Source: BBC
