Well, having been on not one, not two, but THREE separate flights where not only did someone NOT turn off their phone, but they actually ANSWERED it when it rang in flight, you'll have to excuse my skepticism...

George, KA3HSW

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Blazek" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 4:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: In-flight iPhone snaps Space Shuttle launch

Hi, George:

The iPhone 4 (and maybe the earlier models) have an 'airplane mode' that disables all wireless functions. The camera still works.

Mike, N5UKZ

Very neat photo.

From the looks of the photograph, the plane's altitude looks to be in the upper 20000's or lower 30000's at least. (The cloud deck on launch day was about 5000' with tops at 5500'.) Most carriers require PED's to be turned off while descending through 10000'. So this passenger would have been well within regulations to take the photo.

73, Brandon, K7BBR

On 5/20/2011 3:34 PM, George Henry wrote:

And what was her iPhone doing turned on during approach? Still a no-no on all commercial carriers, AFAIK...

George, KA3HSW

...

From: Clint Bradford[email protected] To: AMSAT BB[email protected] Sent: Fri, May 20, 2011 2:20:44 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] In-flight iPhone snaps Space Shuttle launch

The story behind the photo taken of the Space Shuttle from an in-flight passenger jet. Stefanie Gordon shot the image of Endeavour's launch with her iPhone as her plane descended for a landing.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/17/in-flight-iphone-snaps-space-shuttle-launch/

So what happens to this airplane when it flies near a FM or TV broadcast station? FAA rules call for EMI testing using 1 amp RF currents in wire bundles in the aircraft.

This Cell Phone / computer/electronic interference from consumer electronics is a compilation of half truths, myths and deception. A shameful compilation of rules designed to intimidate from an origination that should be scientific in nature, and totally understand electromagnetic radiation. Maybe it is the "Federal" part in the FAA name that explains this behavior!

Art, KC6UQH

-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of George Henry Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 2:35 PM To: AMSAT Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: In-flight iPhone snaps Space Shuttle launch

And what was her iPhone doing turned on during approach?  Still a no-no on all commercial carriers, AFAIK...

George, KA3HSW

----- Original Message ----

From: Clint Bradford [email protected] To: AMSAT BB [email protected] Sent: Fri, May 20, 2011 2:20:44 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] In-flight iPhone snaps Space Shuttle launch

The story behind the photo taken of the Space Shuttle from an in-flight passenger jet. Stefanie Gordon shot the image of Endeavour's launch with

her

iPhone as her plane descended for a landing.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/17/in-flight-iphone-snaps-space-shuttle-launch/

Clint Bradford [email protected]

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Thanks Glenn. I'll add my 2 cents from my perspective as an airline pilot. It gets annoying when people turn on or leave on all their devices. The first clue is the buzzing in my headset from the interference with the cellular networks. (Edge networks are the most annoying.) Then the localizer needle starts bouncing back and forth. In decent weather, not a big deal, but try shooting an ILS approach in bad weather with the needles bouncing back and forth and buzzing in your headset, and you understand why people are asked to turn their devices off during critcal phases of flight.

Still...bottom line with this shuttle picture, the flight wasn't below 10,000' feet and not in a critcal phase of flight, so I'm glad the passenger took the photo so we can all enjoy the beauty of the launch.

Brandon K7BBR

Glenn Little WB4UIV [email protected] wrote:

The rules are in effect to prevent possible interference to the aircraft navigation aids and communications equipment. The potential for mix produces from numerous consumer grade electronic devices emitting part 15 compliant RF is just to unpredictable for the FAA to allow these possible RF sources to be energized during the landing and take off phase of flight. If the interference were to occur at a higher flight level, the pilot has longer to respond and get the interfering emitter shut down. During landing and take off the reaction time is just too long to allow the devices to be turned on.

It is not a matter of general EMI. It is a matter of mix products from unknown emitters causing on channel interference to sensitive receivers.

73 Glenn WB4UIV ARRL Technical Specialist