Pilots Electronic Devices Targeted by Lawmakers

The Northwest Airlines overflight last month has generated significant interest in what devices pilots carry into the cockpit and how they use them. The Senate has proposed legislation banning all personal electronic devices, but pilots have objected. They maintain that they use their laptops, smart phones and other devices to enhance the information they have available through regular channels. Banning the devices would compromise safety, rather than enhance it.

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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