Why do you have to turn off all electronics when taking off and landing during a plane ride?

Question

Can something so simple as an ipod really mess up their instruments?

Answer 1

Consumer electronics do not interfere with an aircraft's systems. I am always amazed that people think that all the aircraft in the world never have at least some mobile phones inadvertently left on during the flight. The reason that you cannot use any electronics during takeoff and landing is because this is the time in which there is most likely to be a problem with the flight and they want everyone aware and alert in case something goes wrong, such as the need for an emergency landing.

Answer 2

Actually they can interfere with the planes electronics.  

Answer 3

No, but that's the current law. They're more worried about cell phones and other devices that send/receive signals interfering with the plane's communications. But it doesn't actually interfere- the law is just "playing it safe."

Answer 4

I've actually seen interference coming from a laptop in a Boeing if you held it real close to the screens. Some of my colleagues who used to fly on Airbus, say it happens more than you think, not so long ago they had interference coming from a real old walkman during the flight, they had to ask the passengers row by row to switch off all electronic devices in order to find the culprit.