Fatal devices
PRESSURE is mounting for a formal ban on in-flight use of laptop computers and electronic devices by passengers because of increasingly conclusive evidence that these devices create, electromagnetic interference whose cause malfunction of navigation equipment.
According to a report published in Asian Aviation (April 1995), such documented incidents have increased over the past 3 years, often affecting flight controls.
While it has generally been accepted by airlines companies that gadgets like laptops, CD players, radios and electronic games should not be operated during a flight's takeoff and landing phases, there is strong evidence that they can also be a hazard during the cruise phase.
Digital tape recorders, camcorders, toys with remote controls and mobile phones have also been identified as dangerous when operated in flight.
Among the cases reported was an incident in November 1994, in which a British Airways pilot on board a trans-Atlantic flight reported that his B747 started banking off course, and the autopilot would not follow the heading cursor. He was only able to regain con- trol after a passenger using a compact camcorder turned it off.
Other recent incidents reported are as follows:
• An aircraft's autopilot disconnected as it prepared to land because of signals from a mobile phone.
• A B747 lost all communications with ground control after a mobile phone and computer were switched on in the business class cabin.
• Both the compasses on an aircraft started to fluctuate wildly after a passenger began playing a Nintendo game and another used a camcorder.
• An aircraft veered significantly off course after its autopilot received false signals caused by a passenger starting to watch a mini-television set.
It is believed that cable looms running behind baggage racks pick up signals and transmit them to the flight deck computer controlling the autopilot system. The solution appears to be the incorporation of shielding materials in the suspect devices.