understand it is illegal in most countries to operate a
mobile phone while in-flight. There are two possible reasons
given: (1) it could affect onboard-systems (2) the phone
reaches too many ground stations and causes a problem for
the cell-assignment.
Well.... as for (1) talk to the manifacturer of the plane
with its onboard systems. (yourself). I can tell you that
my instrument panel wasn't affected yet - I am not using
a MLS though... And the Transponder is blowing 200 Watt on
nearby frequencies without affecting the systems. And as
for (2) not my problem - or better - what happens if
I climb a hight mountain ? (we have mountains in Europa
that are higher than the Europa's Service Ceiling.)
Concluding it: if the FCC or other agency asks - I never
use it in-flight. And to call friends with my ETA - who
cares. Distraction is minimal. The workload is similar to
talking to ATC - just without the PTT-key.
Sincerely,
<Thomas Scherer, N81EU>
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