Though I dont fly much (actually I dont really fly at all anymore) this is interesting. I ran across this a few weeks ago in another forum about cell phones. I guess the new phone I got (dont have yet, xmas present) has an "Airplane Mode" on it that disables the transmitting functions.
Page 2 of this thread has some interesting information.
Quote:
Last July, American Airline and Qualcomm did a demo of a cellular base station on-board an airplane that was connected to the ground based system. This made in-flight calls possible.
The main problem with in-flight calling is that cell transmission equipment isn't designed to broadcast up. Some signal gets some altitude....but little. There may be some difference to this in HEAVILY towered areas such as Huston, New York, L.A., etc.
But apparently, the in-flight calling ban lift will be brought up for the first time on Wednesday at the FAA meeting. FAA has said that extensive research will have to be done. The results report isn't due until 2006. We may not see a lift in this regulation until 2007....possible 2008.....unless they re-vamp their schedule.
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