Do electronic devices really interfere with aircraft navigation systems?

Question

Do electronic devices really interfere with aircraft navigation systems?

Answer 1

Being once involved in EMI/EMC testing, I can say that they *can* interfere with the Avionics.

However all avionics equipment are tested for susceptibility (RTCA DO-233) and are proven to be operational in commonly encountered scenarios. The electronic device prohibition is an additional precaution, just playing it more safer.

So the politically correct answer is "It shouldnt, but it can".

Answer 2

not in the least

Answer 3

when cell phones transmit they interfere a little bit, making a clickkkk,clic,clic,clic, on the radios, but i think the primary reason is for people to be like somehow prepared for an emergency, and also paying attention to the steward when they show you how to use the seat belt,imagine 123 people inboard talking over the phone yelling, and the plane is on emergency something. anyway the cell phone signal wont go up to 20,000 feet, so try power your cell phone in middle flight theres gona be no bars for you.

Answer 4

YES THEY CAN.  GPS and CELL PHONES both operate in the gHz range.  Phones and computers emit a high freq in the gHz range even if its not a transmitter.  I was actually on a 'real' Nimitz and Enterprise Class(es) flight decks in the Navy.  Around ordinance we had something called HERO.  I was an Avionics Tech and not an Ordnance (things that hang off airplane wings/fuselage) Tech.  It had something to do with hazardous electronics radio/radiation and ordnance or something along those lines.  We were not allowed to have cell phones and certain types of radio and equipment around bombs.  I'd say that electronic devices interfere with aircraft navigation and WEAPON systems.

Answer 5

Yes.

Answer 6

There is a very very very slim chance that it would.  Maybe a 0.0000001% chance.  Its better to stay on the side of caution I guess.

Answer 7

I wouldn't want to be the first to find out!!

Answer 8

Under certain conditions it can, and I wouldn't want to be on that plane when it does.

Answer 9

For most common electronic devices there is no indisputable proof on either side. Even in what's thought to be a safe device there's no guarantee a glitch may produce a random signal with negative results.  So rather than investigate every option and, to err on the side of caution, it's given a blanket judgment, 'Not Allowed'.  

When I was an 141 FE in flight calculations were made either from charts and tables in the TO often with the aid of a slide rule.  

When pocket calculators came out we thought we had an easier method.  But the Air Force disagreed and calculators were prohibited on the Flight Deck.

The only pocket calculator we were allowed was the little 6" slide rule made by a Japanese company.  (Sun, I think.) I'ld like t have one today as a collectable but my kids found better uses for them.

Answer 10

it's not something i would want to find out first hand. besides no one is that important to be in constant contact 24/7.

20 years ago most of this was too expensive and bulky to carry about.

Answer 11

They dont actually...but hey..do you really want to take a chance when you are 35- 45000 miles high in the sky!!!!!!????

Answer 12

not with any aircraft made so far but it could happen in the future, its all about the frequency of the device your using and the frequency of the aicraft instruments