The USA's FAA just recently cleared gadgets for use during flights, including take off and landing. However, those hoping the UK's aviation authority, the CAA, might follow suit, will have to sit tight. According to Crave, such action is still months away.
CNet's Crave blog cites the UK Civil Aviation Authority as saying it will be 'months rather than weeks' before UK passengers can play with their phone or tablet during take off and landing. The reason behind the delay is because it's not just the UK's rules under consideration. The CAA says the European Aviation Safety Agency wants to ensure European Airlines are bound by the same regulations in order to avoid confusion for passengers flying in Europe. As such, it's necessary to consult with the EASA for a Europe-wide response.
"We will be studying the review's recommendations closely and discussing their implications directly with the FAA and also the European Aviation Safety Agency, which will be responsible for deciding a European-wide response and next steps," the CAA told Crave.
If you've flown on an airplane over the last decade or so, you've certainly scoffed at the rule that dictates you switch off all electronics during takeoff and landing. Last week, the FAA announced a major policy change that allows passengers to use smartphones, readers, and handheld consoles during all stages of flight. This means you don't have to quit in the middle of an Angry Birds marathon or power down your ereader for 20 minutes at either end of your flight. Previous rules only allowed passengers to use electronic devices once the plane had reached cruising altitude due to concerns that transmissions from personal electronic devices would interfere with the plane.
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