The Federal Aviation Administration has announced the formation of a government-industry group to study the current policies and procedures aircraft operators use to determine when portable electronic devices (PEDs) can be used safely during flight. Current regulations require an aircraft operator to determine that radio frequency interference from PEDs are not a flight safety risk.
The group will examine a variety of issues, including the testing methods aircraft operators use to determine which new technologies passengers can safely use aboard aircraft and when to use them. The group will then present its recommendations to the FAA. Use of cell phones for communications during flights will not be considered.
The group, established through an Aviation Rulemaking Committee, will meet this fall for six months. It will include representatives from the mobile technology and aviation manufacturing industries, pilot and flight attendant groups, airlines, and passenger associations.
The FAA also seeks public input on the agency’s current policies. The Request for Comments is on the Federal Register. The FAA seeks comments about operational, safety and security challenges associated with expanding PED use; data sharing between aircraft operators and manufacturers; restriction of PED use during takeoff, approach, landing and abnormal conditions and technical challenges associated with further PED usage, among other topics.
