“Please be sure to put your electronic devices in airplane mode Before takeoff. If your device does not have a plane mode, bring it completely during the flight. ” Something similar to this message is reproduced thousands of times every day in the world and, although not everyone pays attention, a usual gesture when sitting on the plane is to connect the plane mode. 25 years after birth The plane mode, although the message continues to reproduce, it is no longer mandatory to put the mobile in plane mode.
However, there are pilots who continue to defend their use for a reason: their comfort.
It made sense. The airplane mode was born as a result of a concern: the possible electromagnetic interference that electronic devices could cause in both communication and navigation systems in airplanes. It was a possibility, like the one that existed of light fourth to gasoline in gas stationsbut the chances of a catastrophic failure They were very low.
However, to mitigate any potential risk and guarantee safety, the measure of prohibiting the use of electronic devices during certain phases of the flight was adopted. Fiction has contributed to still thinking that something can go wrong, such as the moment of ‘The Simpsons‘In which Bart is playing with a Game boythe hostess asks him to turn it off and, in doing so, the plane begins to plumn).
As these devices advanced and added more networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more powerful connections, the “plane mode” was adopted that disable these transmissions. And, as the main motivation of this function was its use in commercial flights, the name and icon of the plane was consolidated although its use was recommended in other environments such as hospitals or the aforementioned gas stations.
2014 and 5G. After implanted and turned into A standard for several devicesin 2014 things began to change. In September, the European agency EASA He gave the passengers free to use their electronic devices without plane mode. That most lax attitude left the ball on the roof of the airlines, which could maintain or not the mandatory use of the airplane mode and, in fact, many have adopted internal Wi-Fi systems that allow them to earn more money. One of the famous Extras of the companies.
Asterisk. While the plane is not going to fall, the use of this way is still promoted for a very specific reason: the crew comfort and controllers. These years, in well -known blogs such as’Ask The Pilotor like Some pilots commentAviation experts have appeared that comment that the way to prevent an annoying buzzing for communications is recommended.
And it is logical. As Comment The pilot Rafa San Julián, from Iberia, the aircraft teams are “much more protected than formerly and are much less vulnerable.” Now, the plane mode is still recommended for a very specific reason: technology and Power of mobile networks It advances every few years and “it cannot be predicted if these interference will occur with the new equipment. Therefore, as a safety measure, it is requested that the mobiles put in plane mode so that they do not emit with the same power with which they would issue without that mode,” he says.
Concern by the way 5g. And block with what Boeing detected a few years ago. FAA, which is the US aviation agency, He issued Directives warning about possible 5G signal interference in band C (3.7 to 3.98 GHz in the US) Be too close of the frequency used by the radio heights of Boeing and Airbus aircraft (4.2 to 4.4 GHz). These radio altimeters are essential in landing maneuvers and in other systems such as soil proximity notice.
The concern would affect airplanes such as Boeing 737, 747, 777 and 787, and would force pilots to perform landing maneuvers in safe and more manual mode. However, no serious accidents or incidents have been reported due to this interference and, if They have canceled or delayed flightsit was due to an increase in caution. In fact, FAA itself command Shortly after a message of tranquility. That distance of 0.22 GHz It is enough As if there are no interference, but at that time it was not more caught.
Fly calm. Therefore, not remove the plane mode during a flight will not make the plane fall, but it can generate a buzz or White noise In communications, being annoying for pilots and controllers. Activate it is a good idea to save battery and so that if you are going through a country without roaming and remotely get coverage, do not charge you five euros for downloading a WhatsApp message.
Images | Nejc SokličXataka
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