Switching your phone to Airplane Mode during a flight may feel like a routine instruction, but there are practical reasons behind the rule. It is not because an active smartphone is expected to suddenly cause an aircraft engine to fail. Instead, the restriction is linked to radio transmissions, communication systems and the way cellular networks operate when phones are airborne.
How does cellular interference affect flights?
A smartphone constantly searches for available cellular networks when its mobile connection is switched on. At cruising altitude, the phone may attempt to connect to ground-based towers as the aircraft moves rapidly across different areas. Multiple devices doing this at the same time can create unwanted radio-frequency activity.
Aviation systems are designed with safeguards, but airlines still require passengers to minimise unnecessary transmissions during a flight.
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Can mobile phones cause buzzing in pilot headsets?
Cellular devices can produce electromagnetic interference with nearby audio equipment. This could even lead to buzzing or static noises being produced by speakers and headphones. Putting cell phones on airplane mode is just one way of preventing any potential sources of interference within the plane.
Communications between pilots and air traffic control towers are extremely important especially during takeoff and landing.
What about navigation and cockpit equipment?
Modern aircraft contain highly protected communication and navigation systems. Airplane Mode reduces the amount of radio activity coming from passengers’ devices, helping maintain a controlled electronic environment inside the aircraft.
This is one reason airlines continue to include the setting in their standard passenger safety instructions.
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Why does 5G raise separate concerns?
5G has also brought additional attention to aviation because some 5G C-band frequencies are close to frequencies used by aircraft radar altimeters. These are key sources of altitude data especially when approaching the airport and landing.
Some interventions have been put in place by the aviation industry and the regulatory authorities to help mitigate the effects of interference between 5G technology and aircrafts’ system.
Why Airplane Mode is needed even now
Therefore, when cabin crew asks passengers to put their phones in Airplane Mode, it means that the need is to prevent interference with electronics and avoid unnecessary wireless communication on board an aircraft.