Will Not Turning On "Airplane Mode" On The Phone Affect Flight Safety?
In September 2013, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency updated its rules to allow passengers to use their mobile phones throughout the flight, as long as they are in airplane mode. In October 2013, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration also proposed allowing mobile phone use in airplane mode, but with some restrictions depending on the airline and aircraft type.
Passengers are usually asked to turn off their phones or put them in airplane mode because the cockpit uses radio transmissions for communication between pilots and air traffic control, as well as for landing guidance systems. Read More: Introduction To Instrument Landing System (ILS)
On a plane with hundreds of passengers, if even a dozen phones are continuously trying to connect to ground-based cell towers, the radio waves they generate could interfere with communication between pilots and air traffic control. Even when a phone is in airplane mode, it emits electromagnetic waves to search for cell tower signals when turned on or off, which can interfere with sensitive navigation equipment, even for a fraction of a second.
This is why some airlines still restrict mobile phone use during takeoff and landing. If there is interference during these critical phases, the aircraft may be at a lower altitude, leaving the pilots with less time to react. Another concern is that pilots and flight attendants need passengers' full attention for announcements, so it's important to avoid distractions like mobile phones.
To be safe, it's always best to follow the airline's rules regarding mobile phone use.
