Approved Electronic Devices - GPS?

[Dont call me Shirley]

I could see GPS being an aid to a hijacker in some way.

If that is the case, why allow the "airshow" type map/position/altitude/airspeed display that many airlines offer?


(Reminds me of NW's "unscheduled" landing in BRU about eight years ago; the passengers viewing the map display had a better idea of where their plane was than the flight crew did.)

 

[Phoenix]

..."Approved Electronic Devices" ....

Perhaps airlines have policies in place (of which some have claimed special revelation and yet others are actually attempting to reference it) because the TSA does not mention GPS specificly in their electronic equipment.


List of TSA permitted and prohibited items.
(some electronics listed)

 

[HPearlyretiree]

I've used my handheld GPS on lots of flights, never had any problems.

In fact, I've had FA's want to look at it to see where we were.

Another cool toy to pass the time on a plane ("Hey look, we are over Liberal, Kansas!")

 

[UWCactus]

Each airline has it'w own policy on certain portable electronic devices. GPS on some airlines can only be used while the a/cis parked at the gate and the a/c door is opened. Others may allow it to be used at cruise altitude. US West only allows use while a/c is parked, however this not generally enforced by FA's for a number of reasons, mainly they probably don't know how to identify one, in addition, they may not be confident in their knowledge of the company policy. The same is true with cell phones that allow the "phone" to be turned off, most FA's will not ask if they can verify the phone feature off because some don't want to come across as militant.

 

[Fixed Wing]

here's an interesting link.
If you go to the bottom there is a list of airlines that approve GPS.
http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/gpsrfi.htm

 

[HPearlyretiree]

Damn, I've used it all flight, takeoffs and landings on jets and Dash 8's.

Its kinda cool to try to figure out where you are, and if you have nothing to read and its a full flight with screaming kids, its something to do. Gotta have a window seat though.

 

[aerosmith]

Very informative post Fixed Wing.

 

[airportman]

here's an interesting link.
If you go to the bottom there is a list of airlines that approve GPS.
http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/gpsrfi.htm

That list is incorrect. US Airways does not permit them.
it is in the f/a emerg. manual.

 

[N109UW]

here's an interesting link.
If you go to the bottom there is a list of airlines that approve GPS.
http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/gpsrfi.htm

Great post, except the article states that GPS's are allowed on US Airways flights. That is wrong, as I have my Emergency manual that states it. The article does state that this info comes from newsgroups, so that is probably why it is wrong. I am a US F/A, and the new emergency manual revision says "NO" to using GPS on board and that it's not up to pilot descretion. Sorry about that. See my other post for the manual quote verbatim.

 

[HPearlyretiree]

I carry mine ever since I started watching "Lost"

If I crash, I want to know where Project Dharma is operating!

 

[Fixed Wing]

That list is incorrect. US Airways does not permit them.
it is in the f/a emerg. manual.

then please inform the author Joe Mehaffey. He even asks for input on wrong information and provides a link for you to email him. I didn't write it, I just Googled it.

 

[gonzo]

then please inform the author Joe Mehaffey. He even asks for input on wrong information and provides a link for you to email him. I didn't write it, I just Googled it.

Yea, but you know you are going to be "raked" over the coals for trying to be helpful. Remember no good deed goes unpunished around here.........j/k

 

[Prince of PAWOBs]

My two cents:

It's bad form to use a GPS in flight if you are a passenger. A crew member or another passenger may believe its use constitutes some sort of malevolent design (i.e. hijacking or detonation of an explosive device).

Leave the GPSr off and in a bag out of view. Let the flight crew and the current city center figure out where the plane is.

 

[DR.EVIL]

Probably interferes with navigation as the newer planes are using GPS.

Lav man/700 leave the tech questions to the mechanics, but some guy dropped his call phone in a toilet on gate C-19 maybe thats something you could handle. :huh:

 

[700UW]

Call the vendor, that job is outsourced.

Glad to see you know how to waste bandwidth.