As the recent flurry of articles about why portable electronic devices are restricted during air travel makes clear, the conclusion to be drawn from the information available is a very complicated: “We just don’t know.” For this reason alone airlines err on the side of caution, asking people nicely (and sometimes not so nicely) to turn off their gadgets during takeoff and landing.
Here’s what we do know, or at least here’s what makes sense and comes from reputable sources, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
1. Radio-frequency emissions from cell phones, laptops and other electronics can occur at the same frequencies used by aircraft communication, navigation and surveillance radio receivers. These emissions could cause fluctuations in navigation readouts, problems with other flight displays, and interference with air traffic communications.
To read the full, original article click on this link: 10 Facts about Portable Electronics and Airplanes | Observations, Scientific American Blog Network
