Gregory Robinson
What happens if you forget to turn airplane mode on when you fly? An air safety investigator has revealed all.
As many of us know, this setting on mobile devices disables wireless communication, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Given the name, it’s mostly used to prevent interference with aircraft systems during a flight, and to comply with airline regulations.
Some people might also press the airplane mode button to conserve battery life or to prevent distractions. But what would happen if you fail to switch airplane mode on?
Former National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Air Safety Investigator Gregory Feith revealed all, and the answer might shock you.
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In response to a viewer who asked the question about airplane mode, Feith said the signal coming off your phone, computer or tablet can ‘disrupt, a lot of the times, the navigation system, even the ground proximity warning systems on an airplane’.
In the video posted by Wired, he continued: “The wires on an airplane are insulated from spurious signals, but you don’t want to take a chance, aircraft manufacturers don’t want to take a chance, and definitely the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] and other certifying authorities don’t want to take a chance.”
Although some people may assume that with modern technology, the threat of danger from leaving your phone on its regular setting during a flight is fine, this is not the case.
“In the interest of aviation safety, turn off your phone,” Feith concluded.
Viewers were astounded by Feith’s knowledge, and were left feeling a lot safer. “This guy knows so much about plane crashes that it’s comforting… and mildly terrifying,” one person replied.
“Dude's a legend in aircraft accident investigations,” another viewer wrote.
Airplane mode is one of those functions some might question whether it's really necessary. You might have even accidentally forgotten to turn your device off or on airplane mode.
Similar to Feith, eExperts from Airalo said it's not as strict as it used to be with airlines demanding you completely switch your device off, noting 'most airlines will allow smart phones to be used when airplane mode is activated for non-text and browsing functions'.
They revealed: "When the aircraft is taxiing, scientific evidence proves that there is still a risk of mobile phone signals interfering with aircraft systems and impacting communication between ground control and air traffic.
"Mobile phones and electronic devices radiate electromagnetic signals which can interfere with pilots' headsets."
So for the safety of everyone on board, please remember to turn on airplane mode.