Why you need to turn off. How long can the computer be turned on

Aviation regulations are becoming more and more loyal to mobile devices on board, but many airlines still ask to turn off the phone during the flight or put it in airplane mode. At the height of the holiday season, together with the experts, we figure out why this is happening.

Maria Anufrieva

Head of Finnair Representative Office in Russia

Previously, navigation equipment was not sufficiently protected from external interference. Working telephones interfered with the communication between the pilot and the dispatcher, made it difficult to track the aircraft during the flight, radio frequency radiation distorted the readings of navigation devices.

Since then, telephones and devices have become more sophisticated. Most studies have shown that switched on electronic devices do not affect modern navigation instruments. Therefore, in 2014, the European Aviation Safety Agency formally canceled the outdated regulation.

Some airlines still retain this ban due to inertia, but its widespread cancellation is just a matter of time. Others have scrapped the outdated rule stipulating that electronic reading or gaming devices can be used during takeoff and landing, but headphones cannot be used to hear flight attendant announcements.

Air carriers often do not allow the use of a telephone in normal mode preferring to play it safe for the safety of passengers. Takeoff and landing are the most challenging phases of flight and it is very important to avoid any interference, even minimal ones. However, it cannot be ruled out that after new studies they will remove this limitation.

Antonina Samsonova

project Manager " mobile connection and Internet »portal Banki.ru.

In Europe, you can use gadgets at any time of the flight. In the United States, restrictions apply to takeoff and landing: during a level flight, no one prohibits the use of communications. Russian airlines are still adhering to the old rules on the principle of "whatever happens." There is no scientific or practical justification for this prohibition, but the issue remains controversial.

In 2006, the FCC discussed lifting the ban on the use of mobile phones. This has spawned several global studies. The country's Federal Aviation Administration found no evidence that interference could affect the aircraft's performance. And the staff of the Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science argued that the probability of a plane crash due to the switched on devices exists - for example, if the signal from the mobile phone interferes with the transmission of the signal from the GPS receiver. The latest NASA study from 2016 also says electronic devices can interfere with GPS.

Kirill Zharkov

PR director of travel service Grabr

It's believed that Cell phones can interfere with aircraft navigation and radio systems, especially precision approach systems and UHF stations. So they used to think from the time when all equipment was still working at the same frequencies: in the sky, and in the sea, and telephones, and microwave ovens. Now the radio frequency grid is strictly divided. Therefore, the likelihood of a negative impact of telephones on aircraft systems is minimal. If five people talk on the phone on takeoff, nothing bad will happen.

Nevertheless, even the instruction for pilots provides for the disconnection of mobile phones before taxiing begins. Airline security departments explain the requirement by the fact that during take-off and landing, passengers must be aware of what is happening and respond in time to an emergency. Therefore, on the plane, they ask you to fasten your seat belt, put things away, open the window shade to see what is happening outside the window. The phone is seen as an additional distraction.

conclusions

Modern telephones do not create critical interference in the operation of aircraft navigation systems.

At the same time, researchers have not yet proven the absolute safety of mobiles on board.

In Europe and the United States, the ban is practically non-existent, but airlines continue to use it by inertia.

The phone is asked to be turned off during takeoff and landing so that passengers are not distracted and can respond to an emergency.

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Before takeoff and shortly before the descent begins, flight attendants ask passengers to switch electronic devices to flight mode. However, not everyone follows the instruction, because many simply do not understand: how their smartphone for a couple of hundred dollars can interfere with the operation of a high-tech aircraft worth tens of millions of dollars?

website invites you to work together to understand why it is so important to follow this rule.

In airplane mode, all data services (Wi-Fi, GSM, Bluetooth, etc.) are disabled in the gadget. Simply put, a phone or tablet stops working as a radio receiver. If your the smartphone has not been switched to airplane mode, the signal emanating from it may interfere in highly sensitive electronic devices ah airplane.

When the smartphone just "sleeps"(you do not call from him and do not send SMS), he is still looking for a network, and the frequency of its signal can be superimposed on the frequency of operation important devices aircraft. Even if it seems to you that the sleeping gadget is not dangerous, put it into airplane mode.

If your device does not have the "switch to airplane mode" function(for example, you do not have the most modern model), simply turn it off.

As known, takeoff and landing are the most difficult stages of flight during which pilots need to coordinate their actions with the flight control center on the ground. All this is done using navigation system aircraft. Your gadget's signal may interfere with radio communications, and the pilot won't hear important information sent by the dispatcher, which will potentially lead to an emergency situation.

• Throughout the flight, you can use any electronic devices that do not have an exchange function GSM data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (electronic watches, cameras, camcorders, voice recorders, Hearing Aids, pacemakers, etc.).
• Devices with communication function also can be used at all stages of flight, but in airplane mode(smartphones, tablets, e-books, digital audio / video players, etc.).
• Turn off airplane mode for the above devices possible only during the flight(usually a few minutes after take-off) and only after a message from the ship's crew. It is not allowed to switch off the airplane mode during the take-off, descent, landing and taxiing phases.

Lists and rules may vary depending on the airline, check the official websites.

One of the technical safety rules that causes the greatest number of questions is the request to turn off your mobile phone during the flight on the plane. Many ignore this request, but do it thoughtlessly.

The phone on board is actually useless and not particularly dangerous. But during takeoff and landing, it is asked to turn it off in order to eliminate the slightest risk of failure. electronic systems... The probability of occurrence is practically zero:

At an altitude of about 3 km, telephones will lose the signal from ground stations and begin to actively search for it. If the devices of all passengers on board are turned on, this may affect the operation of highly sensitive aviation devices.

Besides:

• no one will get through to you anyway (why keep it on and drain the battery?)
• when the "flight mode" is on, all functions remain available (except for calls and the Internet)
• due to theoretically possible interference, the pilot may not hear an important message from the controller
• during a hard landing, things flying around the cabin can injure others. Therefore, tablets and laptops are asked to be removed.

What threatens disobedience to the offender

Disobedience to turn off the phone is optional and usually not verified. But in theory, for violations of safety rules, airlines can:

• prohibit movement on the aircraft;
• remove from the flight;
• cancel the ticket;
• recover in court a fine for delayed departure and damage caused by this circumstance;

In some countries, they may simply take away the gadget for the duration of the flight.

An extremely effective preventive measure is often chosen - the violating passenger is included in the "black lists" of air carriers, and is unable to purchase plane tickets for several years.

And if your switched on phone caused losses for the airline, you may well be brought to civil or administrative liability.

Remember that if there is a threat of a crash, the offender can also incur criminal liability.

Of course, over time, the risks from the use of electronic devices on board are constantly decreasing, but passengers should strictly adhere to the rules of the airline they use.

Anyone who has flown by air is familiar with the flight attendant's announcement that all mobile devices should be turned off. And why, it is worth familiarizing yourself with it.

Even ten years ago, the danger posed by devices with radio waves threatened the instruments of an airliner. Physical processes took place when the waves were synchronized, creating a glitch in navigation. This was especially evident during takeoff or landing, when it comes from meters of the runway. Another vivid example of radio interference is the fact that when the crew speaks to the passengers, the sound suddenly starts to rustle or disappear. This is all from the fact that someone on board used the included smartphone or phone. Radio interference is the main influence of small radio antennas embedded in modern mobile gadgets. And although science does not stand still, various options for the compatibility of various equipment are constantly being considered. Therefore shutdown mobile devices- one of the mandatory requirements during the start or landing. At other times, it is allowed to use tablets and mobile phones, but at the same time observing the relevant requirements.

Useful functions

In any modern smartphone, especially 2017 release, such as iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy S8, LG G6 and others, in the application menu there is an option "Airplane mode", indicated by an icon with a small airplane. If you turn it on, all other wireless communications are automatically turned off without harming the environment. In modern airliners, certain types are already being launched wireless communication, leading to the uselessness of the above-mentioned flight mode, however, in a paid version.

But do not neglect this useful function, because turning off the radio modules saves battery power. For any Android, iPhone or iPad, even the most sophisticated one, the same functionality is disabled:

1. Wi-Fi as a result of stopping scanning phones of nearby networks and no attempts will help;
2. mobile communication, because synchronization with cell towers and satellites has been stopped;
3. Bluetooth leading to inactivity wireless mice and keyboards;
4. GPS navigation is not suitable for flying for many reasons.

Thus, you can already use your own Cell phones, without switching off, but transferring to a mode safe for air travel. Although some private companies still insist on the complete shutdown of such devices, in pursuit of their own interests. Theoretically, assuming that an enhanced search for a cell tower will change the readings of the aircraft's sensors, and thereby harm normal movement. And although there will be nothing terrible if a smartphone or the same tablet is turned on in a sparing mode, the rules remain unchanged.

Another negative aspect of the switched on smartphone is that there is a rapid movement in space, and, accordingly, a deterioration in communication with subscribers. The smartphone includes additional power, leading to a quick discharge of even the most powerful battery, like Oukitel K10000(10000 mAh) or Acer Liquid Zest Plus (5000 mAh).

It is good to use the flight mode even not in air traffic conditions, but on the ground. By creating a kind of standby mode, you can profitably save on recharging. For a tablet, this is generally an ideal option, all that remains is to watch recorded movies or play your game.

The use of electronic gadgets can lead to a malfunction of the navigation system and seriously complicate the work of pilots. However, some airlines have decided to relax the rules on the use of electrical appliances on board. So, since 2014, tablets, DVD players, game consoles and e-books... Still remain banned phone calls and sending SMS messages, as well as any data transmission using cellular communications during takeoff and landing of the aircraft.

Why can't you use electrical appliances?

The overwhelming majority of airlines prohibit passengers from using electrical appliances during takeoff and landing. This is due to the interference that portable equipment can create for the navigation of the aircraft and its communication systems with ground services. It is believed that even a switched off telephone has minimal electromagnetic radiation. When cellular communication all passengers use it, large electromagnetic waves are created, which can lead to problems with the on-board services of the aircraft.

Why can't you use electrical appliances exactly during takeoff and landing? These phases of flight are considered the most difficult maneuvers of the aircraft, the pilot-in-command is guided by instruments, the failure of which can lead to a crash.

What threatens violators?

By purchasing an airplane ticket, a person agrees to the terms of providing him with air transportation services and undertakes to comply with all the rules established by the airline.

If the passenger does not comply with the flight attendant's requirements, such measures as limiting the passenger's movement in the aircraft cabin, disembarkation and refusal to further provide air transportation services may be taken. The passenger can also be brought to administrative and civil liability to compensate for losses incurred by the air carrier due to its actions. As a rule, the company only asks for reimbursement of expenses, in rare cases the passenger can be prosecuted if his actions threatened to cause an aircraft crash. Most often, flight attendants are limited by the requirement to immediately turn off the electrical appliance.