A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers in the
Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) has found that
cell phones and other portable electronic devices, like laptops
and game-playing devices, can pose dangers to the normal
operation of critical electronics on airplanes. The study will
be featured in an article appearing in the March issue of IEEE
Spectrum. The researchers found that on average one to four cell
phone calls are typically made from every commercial flight in
the northeast United States. Some of these calls are made during
critical flight stages such as climb-out, or on final approach.
This could cause accidents, the investigators report. “We found
that the risk posed by these portable devices is higher than
previously believed,” said Bill Strauss, who recently completed
his Ph.D. in EPP at Carnegie Mellon. “These devices can disrupt
normal operation of key cockpit instruments, especially Global
Positioning System (GPS) receivers, which are increasingly vital
for safe landings