The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the US Federal Aviation Administration is about to loosen its restrictions on in-flight gadget use — more than a year after it first announced it was mulling the idea.
The Journal explains that a high-level, 28-member advisory panel will recommend to the FAA that it relax restrictions during taxiing, takeoff and landing. The suggestion is based on an investigation launched last August, which aimed to assess just how dangerous electronic devices are aboard flights.
While the advice to be given by the panel isn’t finalised, opinion seems to suggest that current regulations “have become untenable”. While it’s unclear what the exact recommendations will be, they’re expected to allow more freedom for gadget use inside aeroplanes — and some devices, like ereaders, will likely be permitted for use throughout the entire flight. mobile phone calls won’t be covered just yet — but baby steps, people, baby steps.
The FAA’s reluctance to change policy on gadgets has been broadly criticised by everyone from politicians to consumers, and it seems likely that any softening of the rules will be greeted with open arms. Certainly, it can’t come soon enough — the current guidelines are based on regulations that have remained unchanged since 1966. [WSJ]
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