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Not sure of the legalities of using this to guide your actions in the US, but in a fixed wing NTSB accident investigation a few years back (will go and seach for it tonight) the RN was on the cell at the time of the jet crashing during approach. Intensive investigation and simulations and recreations. NTSB scientists afterwards definitively concluded that the cell had NO AFFECT ON A/C INSTRUMENTS in that accident or on the test aircraft. Given that this was some years ago when cells were bulky analog units and higher power (more than the 0.6 watt digitals now common) I concude that there is even less risk now. Again FW, in western Canada cells are routinely used in all phases of flight to communicate with dispatch, sending and recieving facilities with no adverse affects or incidents reported (over 50,000 flights a year total in SK, AB, BC, NWT, YT). Sat phones (both Iridium and Globalstar) also in use to a much lesser degree with no affects. However, if RW cell user is in cockpit (vs cabin) this may be a problem as proximity of phone to instruments is less. ICU studies show that the 0.6 watt analog units have to be within 0.5 meters (say 2') of susceptible equipment to cause a problem. In any case I doubt that primary flight instruments wold be affected, but am not so sure about digital/computerised flight management systems/GPS navigation systems. Anyone? Fly Safe. Ken L-W CCEMT-P/RN etc --- message from "Tom Waters" <tom@tomwaters.net> attached: _____________________________________________________________ Get yourname@FlightMedicMail.com: Sign up at http://www.FlightMedicMail.com
--- Begin Message ---Title: Message
- From: "Tom Waters" <tom@tomwaters.net>
- Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 10:40:37 -0500
Good morning America...I am sure there is a program out there that has run across a federal document, and/or obtained an STC-type authorization and/or has a policy and/or statement from your aviation vendor on the useage of cellphones in the aircraft.
As we all know, under "normal" circumstances, their use is expressly forbidden. But, In the FAA's statements (which I cannot find, and am asking for a reference here...) is the loophole that they can be used in "emergency" situations.I need the definition of "emergency" , if there is one, ie: mechanical, or is an air ambulance exempt, or exempt when the pt. crumps, etc.I would like any referrals to websites, emails of policies, or letters, etc.I've worked in rural and urban settings, and cellphone use continues to be VERY necessary from time to time. A major metropolitan city's primary trauma receiving hospital just changed their radio system, and now virtually no-one can talk to them, so the phone is our only option, and primary backup for the rest of the planet.I have been tasked to find a "permission slip" so to speak, so some of our pilots will feel better, and we can guide our vendor to create corporate policy for their programs nation-wide.Thanks in advance, and hey, post public, as it will benefit us all, I am sure.Fly Safe, and stay cool (ie: stay away from Texas right now...)Tom WatersSTAT Air / Care
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