Here’s the real reason you turn on airplane mode when you fly

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We all know the routine by heart: “Please ensure your seats are in the upright position, tray tables are placed, window shades are up, laptops are placed in the overhead compartment and electronic devices are set to flight mode.”

Now, the first four are reasonable, right? The window shades should be up so that we can see if there is any emergency like fire. Tray tables need to be placed and seats aligned so we can get out of the line quickly. Laptops can become projectiles in an emergency, as seat back pockets are not strong enough to hold them.

And mobile phones need to be set to flight mode so that they do not create emergencies for airplanes, right? Well, it depends who you ask.

Aviation navigation and communications depend on radio services, which have been coordinated to minimize interference since the 1920s.

The digital technology in use today is far more advanced than some of the older analog technologies we used even 60 years ago. Research has shown that personal electronic devices can emit a signal within the same frequency band as aircraft communications and navigation systems, a phenomenon known as electromagnetic interference.

But in 1992, the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing, in an independent study, examined the use of electronic devices on aircraft interference and found no problems with computers or other personal electronic devices during non-critical phases of flight. (Takeoff and landing are considered critical phases.)

The US Federal Communications Commission also began creating frequency bandwidth reserved for different uses – such as mobile phones and aircraft navigation and communications – so that they would not interfere with each other. Governments around the world developed similar strategies and policies to prevent interference problems in aviation. In the European Union, electronic devices have been allowed to be switched on since 2014.

Why then, despite these global standards, does the aviation industry continue to ban mobile phone use? One of the problems is related to something you might not expect – Field Interference.

Wireless networks are connected by a series of towers; If all the passengers flying on these ground networks are using their phones the networks can become overloaded. The number of passengers flown in 2021 was more than 2.2 billion, and is half of 2019 passenger numbers. Wireless companies can be discussed here.

Of course, when it comes to mobile networks, the biggest change in recent years has been the move to a new standard. The current 5G wireless network – which is desirable for its high-speed data transfer – has caused concern for many in the aviation industry.

Radio frequency bandwidth is limited, yet we are trying to add more new equipment to it. The aviation industry says 5G wireless network bandwidth spectrum is remarkably close to reserved aviation bandwidth spectrum, which could cause interference to navigation systems near airports that assist in landing aircraft.

Airport operators in Australia and the US have voiced aviation security concerns over the 5G rollout, although it appears to have been rolled out in the EU without similar problems. Either way, until the issues associated with 5G are resolved, it is wise to limit mobile phone use on planes.

Most airlines now provide Wi-Fi services to customers which are either paid or free. With new Wi-Fi technologies, passengers can theoretically use their mobile phones to make video calls with friends or customers during flight.

On a recent flight, I spoke to a cabin attendant and asked her opinion on phone use during flight. He said it would be inconvenient for cabin crew to wait for passengers to finish their calls and ask them if they would like a drink or something to eat. On a plane with more than 200 passengers, in-flight service will take longer to complete if everyone is making phone calls.

To me, the problem with phone use during flight is outweighed by the social experience of having over 200 people on a plane and potentially everyone talking at once. At a time when disruptive passenger behavior, including “air rage,” is on the rise, phone use in flight could be another trigger that changes the entire flight experience.

Disruptive behavior takes a variety of forms, ranging from non-compliance with safety requirements, such as not wearing seat belts, to verbal altercations with fellow passengers and cabin crew, to physical altercations with passengers and cabin crew – commonly referred to as air anger. Is recognized.

In conclusion – using phones during flight currently does not affect the operational efficiency of the aircraft. But cabin crew may prefer not to delay providing in-flight service to all passengers – there are too many people to serve.

However, 5G technology is encroaching on the radio bandwidth of aircraft navigation systems; We will need more research to answer the question related to 5G interference with aircraft navigation during landing. Remember that while we’re discussing the two most important phases of flight, takeoff is optional – but landing is mandatory.