Latest News.

What Happens If You Don’t Use Flight Mode on Your Phone While Flying?

Does a Cellphone interrupt plane’s Navigation?

Some people say that a mobile phone interferes with the primary navigation equipment on a plane. However, this has never been proved to be the case. Aircraft systems are designed to very high specifications and are insulated from outside interference. However, just because a phone hasn’t been responsible for causing interference it’s not out of the question.

Airbus A400M completes helicopter air-to-air refueling Certification

Can a cellphone makes an aircraft directionless?

The issue is not with the aircraft, but with the pilot who is flying it. When a plane takes off from the runway, it’s like a bird flying with its eyes closed; it has no idea where it’s going until it’s directed by air traffic controllers, who give orders in the form of radio frequencies. If the plane does not receive any instructions, it has no idea what the weather is like up there, if any other flights are flying by, or even whether it is heading in the right direction, so the air traffic controller is extremely critical in guiding the aircraft. The pilot puts on his or her headphones and listens to the ground control person’s instructions. The plane’s amplifier attempts to intensify those weak RF signals and transmit them to the pilot’s headphones.

Cell phones run at a relatively low power level on the ground. However, when you move further away from a cell phone tower, the power of your phone must increase in order for you to communicate effectively. This power can be orders of magnitude greater than that of a basic Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal.

Russia’s Biggest Presidential aircraft completes its maiden flight

A single cellphone causes a plane down?

Since the signals obtained by your smartphone are much more effective than those received by the flight’s receiver, if your smartphone is not in flight mode and if it is flying, it continuously attempts to pick up signals from the nearest cell tower on the ground. This signal-hunting method will generate an irritating noise through the audio system, which pilots and air traffic controllers will be able to hear. You may be wondering how a single cell phone could cause such a disturbance. It isn’t just one phone, but what if every four out of ten passengers on the flight think the same way and don’t put their phones on flight mode? Consider how powerful the combined signal could be. The distraction could be enough to trigger a problem in flight. You don’t want your pilot to be distracted.

What if I turn off flight mode in the mid-air?

Putting your phones in flight mode can benefit both the pilot and you. Up to 10000 feet above the ground, your phone receives a continuous signal from the cell tower, so if you place your phone in flight mode, your pilot will not be interrupted by the noise, but if you keep on your phone, your phone stops receiving a signal from ground. However, the GSM chip inside the phone continues to try to pick up the signal from the nearest cell tower because it doesn’t realize you’re above 10000 feet right now, which will unnecessarily drain the phone’s battery life. So that is why, it is recommended that you put your phones in flight mode when flying.

What about in-flight Wi-Fi?

In-flight Wi-Fi is available on almost every domestic airline, but only JetBlue provides free in-flight internet. In this scenario, the plane act as hotspot, there are two ways to get the service, ground-based and satellite based. Onboard cell phones communicates directly with the wi-fi hotspot at very low power, causing no problems to pilot. But it’s not a big deal if you fail to put your phone in flight mode. However, you should obey this clear order because you are assisting the professionals on the plane who are getting you to your destination as safely as possible.

Related Topics:Flight mode inflight wifi

Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Airlines

EU Bans Turkish-based Southwind Airlines due to links with Russia

In a significant move reflecting the ongoing geopolitical tensions, the European Union (EU) has taken measures to prohibit Turkey’s Southwind Airlines from utilizing its airspace.

The decision, stemming from alleged connections with Russia, underscores the broader repercussions of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the subsequent international sanctions imposed.

The ban, enforced on March 29, disrupts Southwind Airlines’ operations, initially leading to the cancellation of flights. The Finnish transport authority Traficom, headed by Jarkko Saarimäki, has been instrumental in elucidating the rationale behind the EU’s decision. Saarimäki’s assessment highlights a concerning lack of substantial ownership and effective control held by Turkish entities within Southwind Airlines.

Established in 2022 in Antalya, Turkey, Southwind Airlines had primarily focused on flights originating from Russia. However, scrutiny into its ownership structure has revealed apparent links to Russian stakeholders, prompting concerns over its allegiance and operational control. Saarimäki’s assertion of Russian influence over the airline’s affairs underscores the broader geopolitical implications of such connections.

The EU’s ban extends beyond merely restricting Southwind Airlines’ access to its airspace; it also encompasses prohibitions on takeoffs, landings, and overflights within EU territory. Consequently, the airline faces operational hurdles, impacting its routes not only to Finnish destinations like Helsinki but also to prominent German cities and potentially planned routes such as Zurich.

This development aligns with the stance adopted by other Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which have implemented similar bans on Russian airlines. Such coordinated actions underscore the global resolve to hold Russia accountable for its aggressive actions in Ukraine and to mitigate potential security risks posed by entities with alleged ties to Russian interests.

Airlines

Indigo contributed 31 crores to India’s political party for election funds

In a recent disclosure, it has come to light that Rahul Bhatia, the promoter of IndiGo, along with companies under his InterGlobe Group, has made significant donations totaling Rs 56 crore to four political parties. Additionally, SpiceJet, led by Ajay Singh, has contributed Rs 70 lakh to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The data further reveals that InterGlobe Air Transport Ltd, a part of the InterGlobe Group, purchased 11 electoral bonds valued at Rs 1 crore each on May 10, 2019, amounting to a total of Rs 11 crore. Similarly, Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, acquired 5 electoral bonds worth Rs 1 crore each on October 23, 2023, totaling Rs 5 crore.

InterGlobe Real Estate Venture and InterGlobe Air Transport Ltd directed the lion’s share of their political contributions, totaling Rs 31 crore, to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Surprisingly, the second-largest recipient was the Trinamool Congress (TMC), receiving Rs 16.2 crore from Bhatia. Additionally, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd allocated Rs 5 crore to the Congress party, while Bhatia contributed Rs 3.8 crore to its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Rahul Bhatia, individually, also made substantial contributions through electoral bonds, purchasing bonds worth Rs 20 crore. On April 7, 2021, a total of 29 electoral bonds were acquired, with 19 bonds valued at Rs 1 crore each and 10 bonds at Rs 10 lakh each, summing up to Rs 20 crore. When combined with the donations from IndiGo and its affiliated companies, the total contributions from the promoter and associated entities reach Rs 56 crore.

On the other hand, SpiceJet, once a prominent player in the Indian aviation industry, has seen a decline in its market position, currently ranking fifth in terms of market share. Despite this, the airline has engaged in political contributions, with donations made in three separate installments.

Aerospace

Comac is set to fly to five Southeast Asian countries for a C919 and ARJ21 demonstration tour

Following the successful debut of the COMAC aircraft at the Singapore Airshow 2024, the company has secured new branding rights for its products in the Southeast Asian aviation market. According to sources, the airline is directing its aircraft displays to Malaysia.

A static display and demonstration flight featuring the China-manufactured commercial aircraft C919 and ARJ21 were held on Wednesday at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Malaysia’s Selangor state.

The event showcased the brand-new C919 and ARJ21 aircraft, both quietly competing in the narrow-body segment market and slightly challenging the Boeing 737 and A320 family aircraft. The ARJ is tailored for regional airports with shorter routes.

C919 and ARJ21’s five-country tour.

This event concluded the C919 and ARJ21’s five-country Southeast Asian demonstration flight tour, which included visits to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

COMAC is actively seeking an international market alongside China. Currently, the company has amassed over 1100 aircraft orders for the COMAC C919 aircraft.

Throughout the demonstration flights and static displays, the aircraft manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) conducted a series of product promotion activities targeting potential customers.

Furthermore, the company aims to expand its airline network in these countries by obtaining regular licenses from their respective national aerospace authorities.

The purpose of the tour was to evaluate the aircraft’s adaptability to various airports and routes in the five countries, assess the ground service equipment’s suitability, test special flight procedures’ feasibility, and highlight the economic viability of these routes. COMAC stated that demonstration flights would lay the groundwork for future market development in Southeast Asia.

ARJ21 can carry 97 seats and C919- 192 seats.

The ARJ21 regional aircraft is designed to accommodate 78-97 passengers with a flight range of 2,225-3,700 kilometers. Meanwhile, the C919 jetliner offers a layout for 158-192 seats and a range of 4,075-5,555 kilometers, as per the company’s specifications.

The C919 completed its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023. Since then, China Eastern Airlines, its inaugural customer, has received five C919 aircraft, operating round-trip flights on Shanghai-Beijing and Shanghai-Chengdu routes. COMAC reports that it has safely transported over 140,000 passengers to date.