EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Move follows over 100 incidents of electronic devices causing instrument interference Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued a warning to aircraft passengers to switch off mobile phones and personal electronic devices (PEDs) in-flight. The warning follows over 100 incidents involving PEDs causing interference to aircraft instruments and systems in Australia in the last 10 years, according to CASA.
A Boeing 737 crew recently flying out of Sydney attributed an uncommanded pitch up and reduction in thrust to an active mobile phone. CASA has received reports of interference to radio transmissions, auto-pilot malfunctions, false readings from flight management computers, GPS-satellite navigation system failures and false alerts from engine warning systems.
CASA regulations give aircraft cabin crew the power to prohibit the use of any device which can threaten the safety of an aircraft. Under proposed regulations, the use of mobile phones and other electronic transmitters will be prohibited at all times, while laptop computers, video cameras and electronic games will be prohibited during take-off and landings.
The US RTCA has formed a committee to investigate interference issues and propose new guidance material.
Source: Flight International
