FAA Says Portable Electronic Devices Safe On Planes

(RTTNews) - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration or FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced On Thursday that the FAA has determined that airlines can safely expand passenger use of Portable Electronic Devices or PEDs during all phases of flight, and is immediately providing the airlines with implementation guidance.

The FAA said that due to differences among fleets and operations, the implementation will vary among airlines, but the agency expects many carriers will prove to the FAA that their planes allow passengers to safely use their devices in airplane mode, gate-to-gate, by the end of the year.

According to the FAA, Passengers will eventually be able to read e-books, play games, and watch videos on their devices during all phases of flight, with very limited exceptions. Electronic items, books and magazines, must be held or put in the seat back pocket during the actual takeoff and landing roll. Cell phones should be in airplane mode or with cellular service disabled - i.e., no signal bars displayed—and cannot be used for voice communications based on FCC regulations that prohibit any airborne calls using cell phones. If air carrier provides Wi-Fi service during flight, the passengers may use those services. They can also continue to use short-range Bluetooth accessories, like wireless keyboards.

The FAA noted that the PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee or ARC concluded most commercial airplanes can tolerate radio interference signals from PEDs. Once an airline verifies the tolerance of its fleet, it can allow passengers to use handheld, lightweight electronic devices - such as tablets, e-readers, and smartphones—at all altitudes. In rare instances of low-visibility, the crew will instruct passengers to turn off their devices during landing. The group also recommended that heavier devices should be safely stowed under seats or in overhead bins during takeoff and landing.

However, the FAA said it did not consider changing the regulations regarding the use of cell phones for voice communications during flight because the issue is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission or FCC. The ARC did recommend that the FAA consult with the Federal Communications Commission or FCC to review its current rules. Cell phones differ from most PEDs in that they are designed to send out signals strong enough to be received at great distances.