Using camera's on aircraft, A legal issue

[Virgo53]

I travel frequently and usually take photo's out of the windows from the aircraft I am on. Lately, I have been required to turn my Nikon D-90 off by US Airways flight crews. They stated that "Anything with an on/off switch" is required to be off during take offs and landings. I have been a photographer (amateur) for over 25 years and have carried my cameras all over the world and never been told to turn them off!

I asked the flight crew (Pilot included) and he smiled at me and said the same thing, I asked him if all airlines now refuse all passengers use of cameras all over the USA and all he said "it has an on/off switch so we are requireing you to turn it off" There was no contention or abnormal attitudes during these conversations. Very civil.

What are the real rules on this "If it has an on/off switch it must be turned off" Camera phones are a logical item in that catagory, but a dedicated photography camera I feel is exempt. NO FCC or FAA directive I can find directs all airlines and customers to turn their cameras off while flying in the USA. Failing to follow the directive is punishable I was advised by the crew(s)

Does anyone here have some insight into this?? This has occurred with 5 flights already.

In case the airlines are not aware of this, most pictures from the air are during take off's and landings, Since when did it become illegal.

Also, They enforce it by using the "Failed to follow flight crew directions" Not any other way that I could find nor to my knowledge to date.

Need some legal advice from somewhere, emailing the airline for specifics didn't get any response. FAA site doesn't clear anything up either.

Confused and frustrated photog here.

Thanks for any guidance in advance
Virgo53

[Douglas]

Ive often wondered what the big deal was all about anyway. Cell phone and computer I can kind of understand (figure the wifi and phone signal could interfer with communications, though I dont know how). But what the heck is a camera going to do? If my camera being on could cause the plane to crash, I think I would prefer to drive if a planes elecetronics are that fragile.

Ive mostly used P&S cameras on planes, so I havent been told not to.

[verdesardog]

Just about everything electronic divice these days emits electromagnetic radiation of some kind, usually pretty high frequencies. These emmisions "could" interfere with the planes electronics and that's why all electronic divices are required to be OFF during the most critical parts of a flight( take offs and landings).

[Virgo53]

I am an Electronics Technician who has experience in Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) I understand what causes interference since I was an instrumented "tester" of devices and certified them as to what they could interfere with and how for the US Government and commercial companies.

Camera's never caused any issues from my experience.

Is this issue (Camera's use on commercial aircraft) now forbidden by law in the US

Haven't heard any news or other sources of any planes with issues from a camera,,, ever,, as yet.

Still frustrated and confused by this.

Virgo53

[Douglas]

Maybe its just a blanket statement. Rather then say this this and this must be off, but this and the other is ok. They just say, turn it all off.

Heck, unless you are sitting in their row, they cant really stop you anyway.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Maybe its just a blanket statement. Rather then say this this and this must be off, but this and the other is ok. They just say, turn it all off.

That's exactly it. And many new cameras are coming out with WiFi capability anyway, either internally or through a EyeFi type card.

Heck, unless you are sitting in their row, they cant really stop you anyway.

Flight crew is flight crew. Doesn't matter on assignments.

As a pilot, I've tested this in small aircraft. I lit everything up, including computer with WiFi (scanning both 802.11b/g and 802.11a channels), GPS, cell phone, and a portable CB radio, just out of curiosity. Not a single instrument blipped, not even on autopilot. No radio interference, no navigation errors, nothing.

Knowing that small planes are much simpler than large airliners, I asked a Part 121 (air carriers) pilot friend who shall remain nameless. Turns out he and his first officer tried the same thing during a ferry flight out of curiosity. No passengers, just moving a plane from one place to another. Cell phones and computer on, in the cockpit, with no issues at all.

The original intent behind the ruling came from the FCC, not the FAA, btw. Cell phones used on planes would jump towers too fast as the planes traveled, causing problems in the (then) slower cellular network. The FCC issued something to avoid the problem (I don't remember what) and it covered air travel. Most of the private pilots know about it but have ignored it. You can even buy cell phone adapters for your aviation headsets, allowing use of the cell phone with the headphones and microphone that connects to the plane's radios. Of course, they all come with disclaimers that state you should not use them when in flight operations.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Heck, unless you are sitting in their row, they cant really stop you anyway.

I guess technically they can't force you to turn it off, but they can have cops waiting for you when the plane lands. You can't mess with the flight crew.

[Philtography]

Let's hope this is the biggest problem you have in life. Most pictures I've seen from the porthole are pretty lousy, I don't think your missing much.

[Virgo53]

Flight crew's rule, I know that, But I desire to use my camera,

Will comply with the crew, but if I'm not told, great photo's will be taken. If told, camera stays in the bag.

Just think they are way outside their authority for straight camera's.

The new ones with WIFI etc. may be a different story. Don't know exactly what is right yet, as to the letter of the law.
excepting flight crew authority.
Virgo53

[KmH]

Originally Posted by verdesardog

Just about everything electronic divice these days emits electromagnetic radiation of some kind, usually pretty high frequencies. These emmisions "could" interfere with the planes electronics and that's why all electronic divices are required to be OFF during the most critical parts of a flight( take offs and landings).

True, however there are devices that are part of the aircraft that do too.