Flights Are Affected By Electronic Devices, Researchers Say

The use of cell phones, laptops or DVD players in flight may cause havoc in the air, according to a recent study released by Carnegie Mellon University's (CMU) Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP). CMU researchers who kept track of radio frequency transmissions on board several flights in the...

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The use of cell phones, laptops or DVD players in flight may cause havoc in the air, according to a recent study released by Carnegie Mellon University's (CMU) Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP).

CMU researchers who kept track of radio frequency transmissions on board several flights in the Northeast corridor in 2003 say certain critical airplane components can be affected by portable communications devices, a point that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) makes every time the idea of allowing air-to-ground RF services is reintroduced. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently is considering proposals to allow cellular use in the air.

"We found that the risk posed by these portable devices is higher than previously believed," said CMU's Bill Strauss in a written statement. "These devices can disrupt normal operation of key cockpit instruments, especially Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, which are increasingly vital for safe landings." Strauss is an expert in aircraft electromagnetic compatibility at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, Md.

Despite the ban on cell phone use during flights, the researchers discovered that on average one to four cell phone calls are made from every commercial flight in the Northeast United States. Some of these calls are made during critical flight stages such as climb-out, or on final approach. This could cause accidents, the investigators report.

With support from the FAA, three major airlines and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), EPP researchers crisscrossed the northeast United States on commercial flights, monitoring radio emissions from passenger use of cell phones and other electronic devices. They tracked these radio emissions via a broadband antenna attached to a compact portable spectrum analyzer that fit into an innocuous carry-on bag.

"A laptop computer controlled the system and logged the data," said Granger Morgan, head of the EPP Department. "While we looked primarily at wireless phones, we also discovered that emissions from other portable electronic devices were problematic."

Both Strauss and Morgan, along with Carnegie Mellon researchers Jay Apt and Dan Stancil, recommend that the FAA and the FCC begin to coordinate electronic emission standards. At the moment, there is no formal coordination between the two federal agencies. The researchers also recommend routine monitoring of on-board radio emissions by flight data recorders and deploying specially designed tools for flight crews to monitor passenger use of electronic devices during final approach.

While the FCC recently suggested that it might be appropriate to allow passengers to use cell phones and other electronic devices on airplanes, Morgan disagrees. "We feel that passenger use of portable electronic devices on aircraft should continue to be limited for the safety of all concerned," Morgan said.

>>Contacts: Chriss Swaney, Carnegie Mellon University, (412) 268-5776.<<