07-29-2003, 09:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Cell-Phone Calls on Jets May Be OK'd by 2006
"Rapid changes in technology might mean that using cell phones during flight could be safe now. "It's been seven years since we last looked at this issue," FAA spokesman Les Dorr says. "That's like dog years, given the advances in technology." Cell-phone use aboard commercial planes in flight could be approved in about three years if a new study authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration shows that their transmissions don't threaten safety.
The study by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, a non-profit advisory panel to the FAA, should be completed by October 2005. The RTCA panel includes representatives from airlines, airplane makers and the electronics industry. The FAA typically takes six months to a year to act on RTCA recommendations. The study also will look into what effects other portable communication devices, such as modem-equipped laptops and handheld computers and wireless messaging devices, have on aircraft equipment."
Quite frankly, I'm not sure I want to see this happen - I was looking forward to it until someone pointed out in an earlier thread how irritating it would be to have dozens of people around you screaming into a mobile phone. 8O Most people talk louder than they need to while on the phone, and quarters are already so cramped on a plane, this might be more trouble than it's worth. Now wireless data on a plane, there's something I can't wait to see! No, scratch that - first I want to see power jacks on every seat and every plane. There's no point in offering wireless data access if your device can't plug in on a long flight.
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07-29-2003, 09:16 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 192
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I'm sure that there are many active wireless devices on board most airline jets today (Blackberry, 2-way pagers, laptops with Wi-Fi that don't have an indicator light, etc.) even if they aren't being used.
Regardless, I'd simply like to see a power port and Ethernet jack or Wi-Fi on board, skipping the cell phone use entirely.
If they permit cell phones, I guess I'm going to need to invest in noise-cancelling headphones or haul a headset/microphone system so I can talk with family or co-workers but not hear the rude cell-phonies. :devilboy:
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07-29-2003, 09:32 PM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 578
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This would be a solution for those long flights: NEC gasses up 40-hour notebook fuel cell
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Japanese chips-to-computers giant NEC said Monday that it has developed a small fuel cell that will dramatically improve the battery life of notebooks and that the company aims to test on the market within two years.
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07-29-2003, 09:40 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10
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Power ports at every seat makes me a little nervous
There is one problem with providing power ports at every seat: fire danger.
Next time you're on a commercial flight, look closely at the general condition of the seats. Are they pristine? No, they're probably worn, with coverings coming loose, tray tables somewhat askew, screws missing, things looking somewhat frayed and worn. Airline seats take alot of abuse and, given the horrid economic state of the airlines, those poor seats probably don't get much care and attention -- not a real high priority on the maintenance side of things.
Oh, yes, all that plastic and fabric and foam you're looking at is not exactly fireproof, either.
Now, run miles of new wires through these seats, each carrying enough current to power a mobile Pentium 4 (which could fry an egg if you let it). Let hundreds of overweight passengers get in and out of those seats and thrash around uncomfortably. Watch those wires rub together, rub together. insulation fraying, fraying a little more...
I think the airlines' cautiousness about this sort of thing is quite justified.
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07-29-2003, 09:52 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23
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Yes, I agree. Forget about the power outlets. Until wifi is free. I hope they authorize cell phones, so I can get online thru the Verizon Express Network. 
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07-29-2003, 10:07 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 601
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Re: Power ports at every seat makes me a little nervous
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Originally Posted by robepps
There is one problem with providing power ports at every seat: fire danger.
Next time you're on a commercial flight, look closely at the general condition of the seats. Are they pristine? No, they're probably worn, with coverings coming loose, tray tables somewhat askew, screws missing, things looking somewhat frayed and worn. Airline seats take alot of abuse and, given the horrid economic state of the airlines, those poor seats probably don't get much care and attention -- not a real high priority on the maintenance side of things.
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Seats absolutely take a lot of abuse but the state of the industry is producing a strange phenomena...airlines are trying to (a) get rid of older aircraft which in effect gets rids of older interiors and (b) clean up the interiors on their remaining aircraft. Why? The smarter airlines are realizing that it is tougher to compete on price alone so they are looking to things like customer service and aircraft appearance to try to seperate themselves from the pack and create a better customer experience. Airlines will do just about ANYTHING to create any sort of customer loyality.
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Originally Posted by robepps
Oh, yes, all that plastic and fabric and foam you're looking at is not exactly fireproof, either.
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Fireproof? No. Fire retardant? Yes. All materials used in the interior of the aircraft have to pass burn tests before it can be used. In fact the seat covers can only be laundered a fixed number of times before they have to be treated again.
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Originally Posted by robepps
Now, run miles of new wires through these seats, each carrying enough current to power a mobile Pentium 4 (which could fry an egg if you let it). Let hundreds of overweight passengers get in and out of those seats and thrash around uncomfortably. Watch those wires rub together, rub together. insulation fraying, fraying a little more...
I think the airlines' cautiousness about this sort of thing is quite justified.
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I disagree, its all about the money. It is VERY expensive and time intensive to retrofit existing aircraft with this type of wiring. Most of the dollars are spent on the installation labor and certification of the systems. There are thousands of miles of wire running around an aircraft with lots of rubbing, fraying, pinch points, nasty environments etc to deal with. A properly designed system should not pose a fire threat. I DO agree that wiring which runs through the seats is a tremendous pain in the a$$ to keep operational for all the reasons you mention. Just ask anyone who has tried to figure out why 10 rows of seat back TV monitors won't work in the 30 minutes of ground time they have to troubleshoot it. Once again, as older aircraft work there way out of the fleet we should be begin to see better newer and better systems.
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CTSLICK - ROCK ON
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07-29-2003, 10:09 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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I've heard skepticism expressed, though, about whether mobile towers and networks would be able to handle the rapid and frequent hand-offs needed while traveling at 500+ mph.
Anybody know enough about such things to tell for sure?
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07-29-2003, 10:15 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 12
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Again, we still can't get it right.
Just now, they're figuring out how to keep interference on board planes with modern travellers from messing with on-board electrical systems? No, wait, in three more years? Crimony. Was there no electrical interference around when the engineers designed the planes? What is wrong with the human race? We still have to reboot our computers (yes, even my Mac occasionally) and fix hardware conflicts...how long have computers been around? Computers and electronic technology is supposed to be the pinnacle of human intelligence and I still have to stick a needle in a reset hole. For crying out loud.
I'm just a pessimist.
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07-29-2003, 10:15 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 601
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Well, at least the FAA is finally picking up this one. They have been playing hot potato with the airlines for years on the subject of who should be responsible (and who should pay) for cell-phone testing. Things at the FAA normally move at glacial speeds so 2006 is probably a reasonable estimate.
This topic spurred me to post a rant on a related topic which I posted here to avoid the wrath of our esteemed moderator and moderatrix.
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CTSLICK - ROCK ON
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07-29-2003, 10:37 PM
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,998
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I'm not for this at all. I enjoy the quiet of the plane ride. I'd survive I guess as I usually just plug in my headphones and listen to mp3's or watch a DVD for most of the trip.
I would like data access too I guess. But the prospect of a couple dozen salesmen yakking into a phone (screaming even louder than usual to be heard over the engines) all around me doesn't make for a pretty picture in my mind.
I think they should bring in big plastic bubbles that you'd have to wear around your head if you want to talk on the phone in the air. :lol:
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