Turning off all radios on your smartphone, tablet, or other gadgets renders them inoperable, except for basic offline activities. By selecting a switch (or turning a feature on), aforementioned devices will have their network radios, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, and other components switched off. The feature is often called Flight Mode, or Airplane Mode. Despite being a standard name for this special “dormant” (offline) state of your gadget, it was only at the end of last year that the European Aviation Safety Agency allowed people to use their PEDs (personal electronic devices), while in-flight, with the Flight Mode or Airplane Mode on.

Good news for those who fly a lot, and need their smartphones, tablets, or other gadgets to be active! …that is, if you’re flying in Europe. The European Aviation Safety Agency has published a document according to which travelers will be allowed to use their mobile phones following the aircraft landing. Furthermore, “airlines can also allow the use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) throughout the flight, after a safety assessment process. As a result, passengers will be able to use their PEDs just like in any other mode of transport: throughout the trip“.

What this means is that users will no longer need to select special dedicated modes (Flight Mode or Airplane Mode) in order to use their personal electronic devices while in-flight. The European Aviation Safety Agency acknowledges that this is the next step towards enabling the ability to offer ‘gate-to-gate’ telecommunication or WiFi services.

What is a personal electronic device (PED), according to the EASA? “Any kind of electronic device brought on board the aircraft by a passenger such as smartphone, tablet, laptop, e-reader, MP3 player, etc.” However, don’t celebrate just yet! Just because the Agency allows the use of PEDs, in the end, it will be up to each airline to allow, or prohibit, usage of said gadget on-board the aircraft. It the airline decides to allow it, it will have to “go through an assessment process, ensuring aircraft systems are not affected in any way by the transmission signals from the PEDs“.

You can read more at the source link below. If you’re a frequent traveler and you often find yourself flying, let us know how this will impact your life.

Source: European Aviation Safety Agency
Via: Engadget