Use of mobiles in light aircraft

rogcal · 04-10-2009, 14:45

I need this query answering by a technical expert familiar with mobile phone networks and their operation.

From time to time I carry out aerial observations for the emegency services and under normal circumstances would use my aircraft radio to pass messages to the services concerned via the local air traffic control.

Recently this method was not possible due to radio failure and as I had my mobile phone with me in the aircraft, I attempted to contact the police search coordinator directly however, my phone refused to connect the call despite it showing good reception.

At the time I was approx 800ft above ground and in an area where mobile coverage is very good (Virgin/T Mobile) but suspect that my phone activated to many cells on the ground and hence the service being denied.

I often wonder why it's possible to buy adaptors that allow a mobile phone to be used through an aircraft headset when it's impossible to get a service when in the air.

Thanks in advance for any info on this subject.

tellytart1 · 04-10-2009, 21:11

As far as I'm aware, it is actually illegal under UK law to use a mobile phone while you're airbourne becasue of the risk of disruption to other cellular calls when your phone is receivable by many more base sites than the network is expecting.

alan.w · 04-10-2009, 21:30

The phones worked ok on 9/11 in the planes

fletchem · 05-10-2009, 10:03

Being 800ft up in an aircraft and seeing loads of masts and 800ft up a mountain and seeing the same is no different. In the centre of a major city you can be visible to many masts.

It might have been something on the aircraft interfering with your phone. As far as as I am aware most phones do not have altimeters, so your phone could not have "know" you were airborne.

Are you allowed to fly without a serviceable radio?

call100 · 05-10-2009, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by tellytart1

As far as I'm aware, it is actually illegal under UK law to use a mobile phone while you're airbourne becasue of the risk of disruption to other cellular calls when your phone is receivable by many more base sites than the network is expecting.

This is not strictly correct any more....
Mobiles allowed on aircraft

This doesn't help the original poster though.....Aircraft will need to have additional equipment installed etc.

Appleseed · 05-10-2009, 11:41

I wouldn't have thought that reception would have been all that good up there. Surely transmitters are installed bearing in mind where the mobile phones are likely to be, ie, ground (or near to it) level?
Seems to me it would be a waste of money to have transmitters covering the gods!

call100 · 05-10-2009, 13:00

Yes they have to install extra equipment....Ryanair one of the first to see another way to rip off the passenger...You are charged everything at premium rate. Your inclusive minutes are not used. I think only O2 at the moment. Check this out.....Having said that, I'd kill anyone on a flight that was rabbiting into a mobile phone next to me.......You have been warned!!

04-10-2009, 14:45	#1
rogcal Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Lincolnshire Posts: 18	Use of mobiles in light aircraft I need this query answering by a technical expert familiar with mobile phone networks and their operation. From time to time I carry out aerial observations for the emegency services and under normal circumstances would use my aircraft radio to pass messages to the services concerned via the local air traffic control. Recently this method was not possible due to radio failure and as I had my mobile phone with me in the aircraft, I attempted to contact the police search coordinator directly however, my phone refused to connect the call despite it showing good reception. At the time I was approx 800ft above ground and in an area where mobile coverage is very good (Virgin/T Mobile) but suspect that my phone activated to many cells on the ground and hence the service being denied. I often wonder why it's possible to buy adaptors that allow a mobile phone to be used through an aircraft headset when it's impossible to get a service when in the air. Thanks in advance for any info on this subject.

04-10-2009, 21:11	#2
tellytart1 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London Posts: 3,638	As far as I'm aware, it is actually illegal under UK law to use a mobile phone while you're airbourne becasue of the risk of disruption to other cellular calls when your phone is receivable by many more base sites than the network is expecting.

04-10-2009, 21:30	#3
alan.w Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Southwick Brighton West Sussex Posts: 1,246	The phones worked ok on 9/11 in the planes

05-10-2009, 10:03	#4
fletchem Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,187	Being 800ft up in an aircraft and seeing loads of masts and 800ft up a mountain and seeing the same is no different. In the centre of a major city you can be visible to many masts. It might have been something on the aircraft interfering with your phone. As far as as I am aware most phones do not have altimeters, so your phone could not have "know" you were airborne. Are you allowed to fly without a serviceable radio?

05-10-2009, 10:29	#5
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Quote: Originally Posted by tellytart1 As far as I'm aware, it is actually illegal under UK law to use a mobile phone while you're airbourne becasue of the risk of disruption to other cellular calls when your phone is receivable by many more base sites than the network is expecting. This is not strictly correct any more.... Mobiles allowed on aircraft This doesn't help the original poster though.....Aircraft will need to have additional equipment installed etc.

05-10-2009, 11:41	#6
Appleseed Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3,673	I wouldn't have thought that reception would have been all that good up there. Surely transmitters are installed bearing in mind where the mobile phones are likely to be, ie, ground (or near to it) level? Seems to me it would be a waste of money to have transmitters covering the gods!

05-10-2009, 13:00	#7
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	Yes they have to install extra equipment....Ryanair one of the first to see another way to rip off the passenger...You are charged everything at premium rate. Your inclusive minutes are not used. I think only O2 at the moment. Check this out.....Having said that, I'd kill anyone on a flight that was rabbiting into a mobile phone next to me.......You have been warned!!

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Use of mobiles in light aircraft