Mobiles still a threat to aircraft

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published research confirming that the use of mobile phones on aeroplanes can affect instrumentation and communication.

The research, conducted with the help of Vodafone and BAE, found that mobile transmissions could cause compasses to overshoot, hamper audio reception from pilots and interfere with VHF Omni-range equipment that guides the aircraft in flight.

"The tests endorse current policy that restricts the use of cell phones on aircraft," the report stated.

"The CAA will remind operators about the specific risk from cell phone usage on the flight deck, and recommend that confirmation be obtained from passengers that cell phones in their luggage have been switched off."

But the report fails to suggest how airlines could enforce such a ban. One solution could be to add a security question on check-in.

The report is designed to follow up research performed by the CAA and Nasa between 1996 and 2001 which suggested that mobile phones were responsible for a string of safety related incidents.