FAA Will Reconsider Ban On Using Electronics During Takeoff And Landing

FAA Will Reconsider Ban On Using Electronics During Takeoff And Landing


After promising to take a ‘fresh look’ at the ban on using electronic devices during takeoff and landing, the US Federal Aviation Administration has just announced it will be forming a new committee to study, analyse and reconsider the issue. This means there’s a good possibility that we’ll be able to use our electronic devices whenever we want on a plane.

Let’s face it: our gadgets aren’t about to make an aeroplane explode. Here’s what the FAA will be doing:

The government-industry group will examine a variety of issues, including the testing methods aircraft operators use to determine which new technologies passengers can safely use aboard aircraft and when they can use them. The group will also look at the establishment of technological standards associated with the use of PEDs [portable electronic devices] during any phase of flight. The group will then present its recommendations to the FAA. The group will not consider the airborne use of cell phones for voice communications during flight.

The FAA expects the studies to be completed by March. Accounting for all the red tape in these types of government-organised situations, we can expect a decision sometime after the iPhone Ocho and Galaxy Whole Damn Universe are released. Seriously though, we hope the FAA comes to the conclusion that our Kindles, iPads and laptops aren’t a danger in the skies. [FAA via Bloomberg]

Image: Derrick Coetzee/Flickr


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