I just had a nice cross country flight from the Pacific back to Standard Time zone and to pass the time I whipped out my trusty DS. It seems that several other Asians on the plane had DS'. One of them didn't speak english but we got some Metroid Prime Hunters and Mario 64 racing going after a bit of uploading. Not as fun as I thought, but I'm glad our plane did not crash. In conclusion wifi might not be such a bad thing on planes, sure beats crappy movies and shitty peanuts.
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DS wireless works on planes
- Thread starter acidviper
- Start date
D
Deleted member 1235
Unconfirmed Member
Yes, but is it allowed? As in, did you say to the hostess "Excuse me I have a transmitting device here that I intend to use right now, is that cool?"
What wasn't as fun as you thought? Metroid?
What wasn't as fun as you thought? Metroid?
Some airlines, on some flights. The thing is, acidviper didn't state that that was the case, and commented "I'm glad our plane did not crash", which makes me think it wasn't.Mejilan said:You realize that some airlines have begun offering free wireless internet during flights now?
Wellington
BAAAALLLINNN'
Flynn said:
Problem is that the WiFi could interfere with whatever radio communication/navigational instruments the plane has onboard.
And that the FCC is considering allowing people to use their cell phones during the flight. The only hazard with cell phones on a plane is that one obnoxious person has the ability to piss off a great deal more people in a crapped inescapable place. A plane trip would be a blood bath.Mejilan said:You realize that some airlines have begun offering free wireless internet during flights now?
Wi-Fi should be alright on a plane...
Reason being, I work at a hospital and there is a Wireless Network going on in there. The only thing prohibited is the use of cell phones since they cannot determine that each make of cell phone can cause interferrence with hospital equipment.
And yeah as aoi has stated, some airlines have started offering wireless internet in the plane.
Reason being, I work at a hospital and there is a Wireless Network going on in there. The only thing prohibited is the use of cell phones since they cannot determine that each make of cell phone can cause interferrence with hospital equipment.
And yeah as aoi has stated, some airlines have started offering wireless internet in the plane.
Andy from Call for Help actually tried using his cell phone on a plane... but he couldn't connect since the plane was travelling in between cell towers too quickly. They actually had to drop altitude and circle a cell tower before he could call anyone.
If that wasn't too clear, maybe someone that saw that episode could elaborate more.
If that wasn't too clear, maybe someone that saw that episode could elaborate more.
I remember the good ol' days where I would play my Game boy on the plane and the stewardess would come and kindly ask me to turn it off because it may interfere with the plane. I would turn it off, and then wait until she was gone and turn it back on. There's no way it is going to interfere with the plane.
Fuck whatever. I'm sure whatever instruments I may have affected looked alright because pilots are always drunk anyways.
I don't think airline hostesses are hired based on their knowledge of wifi and wireless device recognition.
Playing Metroid with people who have never played Metroid or suck shit at Metroid is not fun. Racing in Mario 64 is ok.
Anyone know exactly what medical and airplane equipment might be affected by wireless transmitters?
I don't think airline hostesses are hired based on their knowledge of wifi and wireless device recognition.
Playing Metroid with people who have never played Metroid or suck shit at Metroid is not fun. Racing in Mario 64 is ok.
Anyone know exactly what medical and airplane equipment might be affected by wireless transmitters?
if there really was a chance of a wireless device actually bringing down a plane, you'd think you would not even be allowed to bring it on board with you. The admonishment just not to use them during flight wouldn't be enough I would think, since (obviously) people are still going to do it.
so I wonder what the reasoning behind it is.
so I wonder what the reasoning behind it is.
I believe radio standards have existed for an awfully long time that ensure wireless devices available to the public will not interfere with in-flight transmissions. DCharlie had an experience last year where the crew wouldn't let him use a GBA but laptop PCs were ok. I think there's just a level of perceptional fear that different carriers have.
Actually, it is a very real danger. I was on a flight once that was hijacked by terrorists. They pulled out Gameboy Advances and shot GBA rays at the flight attendants, who were knocked out. As they shot at the engines, the plane began its descent into the mountains. Just as they were making their way to the cockpit, I pulled out a shoe that I stowed away in my coat and was able to take out all ten of them. Using their GBA's, I restored the plane to working condition and saved the day. Then of course, I threw the GBA's out of the plane just as the terrorists came to. But they were helpless.
The plane ascended back up to a safe altitude, but was suddenly shaken by the atomic blast of the ten GBA's that had landed in the mountains. The plane did crash, but we landed in the water, so we were okay. Hopefully we can float to the safety of land so I can get off this laptop and back to civilization.
The plane ascended back up to a safe altitude, but was suddenly shaken by the atomic blast of the ten GBA's that had landed in the mountains. The plane did crash, but we landed in the water, so we were okay. Hopefully we can float to the safety of land so I can get off this laptop and back to civilization.
ScientificNinja
Member
I'm of the understanding that electronic devices only need to be switched off during take-off and landing...
Oni Link 666
Member
I played 4 player Ridge Racer, Mario, Metroid Hunters, and 2 player Yoshi during a flight a couple of weeks ago. We didn't get any complaints.
It was the funniest thing when I met up with the other players. I was playing DS before we got on the plane and this little kid comes up and asks if I want to play multiplayer and then his little brother comes up with a DS and then this little fat kid comes up asking if we all want to play Ridge Racer.
It was the funniest thing when I met up with the other players. I was playing DS before we got on the plane and this little kid comes up and asks if I want to play multiplayer and then his little brother comes up with a DS and then this little fat kid comes up asking if we all want to play Ridge Racer.
ScientificNinja said:
what he said. I'm pretty sure it'd be okay to use any device once the plane is up in the air. I've never had issues with any of that. I once left my laptop in baggage and it was on and the cddevice was spinning and I still got to my destination.
Maybe if you're in 1st/Business class.. then you shouldn't play your wireless enabled devices.
Well, just because this topic bugged me, I did some research last night.
First, there is a distinction between "what the rules say" and "what has been proven to be dangerous through scientific/engineering analysis." The bottom line is that, regardless of the science, the FAA rule is clear as day: Don't use transmitting devices in a plane. If you want to dispute the need for such a rule, then go get a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, go write a paper, and then convince the FAA/FCC/airline industry to change the rule.
(I think this is just a special case of one of my biggest pet peeves when traveling, or really in general: People who simply cannot follow the fucking rules. Oh, the seatbelt light is on because of heavy turbulence? Sounds like a good time to get out of your seat, force the guy in the aisle seat to ALSO undo his seatbelt (that's usually where I'm sitting), and open up the overhead bin to get something meaningless because, you know, those lights don't mean anything.)
Second, most of the papers/articles dealing with aircraft systems interference that I saw had to do specifically with cell phones, not with Wi-Fi networks. Although I don't work in the field of EMI engineering, I do know that it's a critical issue with some of the systems that we build...which go on airplanes. The fundamental problem is that, in order to definitively say that EMI won't be a problem, you have to conduct extensive testing...which is involved and expensive. If you haven't conducted that kind of testing, the best you can say is that you haven't certified your system. In engineering, you can't deliver something with a guess, even if you THINK that EMI wouldn't be a problem. I strongly suspect that the airplane manufacturers are simply being conservative since they haven't done the testing, but I'm not even sure that a comprehensive testing plan would even be possible -- how could you possibly anticipate all of the possible configurations of emitters on a plane?
Finally, EMI is a complex situation, and although it would seem unlikely that an individual device would affect a critical airplane system, the interaction with other emitters and the environment might have some kind of effect. Again, without testing, the only thing you can say is that you haven't confirmed there won't be a problem...and since we live in a lawsuit-crazy society, it's understandable that they want to be cautious.
And yes, if a terrorist organization had detailed information about airplane guidance systems, you could imagine that a specially-designed transmitter could wreak some havoc. Heck, a portable EMP generator would do the trick -- given how most jets are fly-by-wire systems, I would imagine that taking out the control systems would make it difficult or impossible to land the plane safely.
First, there is a distinction between "what the rules say" and "what has been proven to be dangerous through scientific/engineering analysis." The bottom line is that, regardless of the science, the FAA rule is clear as day: Don't use transmitting devices in a plane. If you want to dispute the need for such a rule, then go get a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, go write a paper, and then convince the FAA/FCC/airline industry to change the rule.
(I think this is just a special case of one of my biggest pet peeves when traveling, or really in general: People who simply cannot follow the fucking rules. Oh, the seatbelt light is on because of heavy turbulence? Sounds like a good time to get out of your seat, force the guy in the aisle seat to ALSO undo his seatbelt (that's usually where I'm sitting), and open up the overhead bin to get something meaningless because, you know, those lights don't mean anything.)
Second, most of the papers/articles dealing with aircraft systems interference that I saw had to do specifically with cell phones, not with Wi-Fi networks. Although I don't work in the field of EMI engineering, I do know that it's a critical issue with some of the systems that we build...which go on airplanes. The fundamental problem is that, in order to definitively say that EMI won't be a problem, you have to conduct extensive testing...which is involved and expensive. If you haven't conducted that kind of testing, the best you can say is that you haven't certified your system. In engineering, you can't deliver something with a guess, even if you THINK that EMI wouldn't be a problem. I strongly suspect that the airplane manufacturers are simply being conservative since they haven't done the testing, but I'm not even sure that a comprehensive testing plan would even be possible -- how could you possibly anticipate all of the possible configurations of emitters on a plane?
Finally, EMI is a complex situation, and although it would seem unlikely that an individual device would affect a critical airplane system, the interaction with other emitters and the environment might have some kind of effect. Again, without testing, the only thing you can say is that you haven't confirmed there won't be a problem...and since we live in a lawsuit-crazy society, it's understandable that they want to be cautious.
And yes, if a terrorist organization had detailed information about airplane guidance systems, you could imagine that a specially-designed transmitter could wreak some havoc. Heck, a portable EMP generator would do the trick -- given how most jets are fly-by-wire systems, I would imagine that taking out the control systems would make it difficult or impossible to land the plane safely.
Jared Goodwin
Member
-jinx- said:
You realize how many people are doing just that with low-power 2.4 ghz devices, like wifi transmitters? Quite a few airlines allow wifi in-flight, after takeoff.
AgentCooper
Member
Nos_G said:
Yes, but did the hospital fly 20,000 feet in the air?
BobbyRobby
Member
TheDiave said:"No tickets."
Man, wish I could find that pic of Silent Bob from Dogma.
"No Ticket."
automagnus
Member
:loltedtropy said:
-jinx- said:
^^ what everyone else said about the power of the device. Anyhow, if terrorists really want to down a plane via wireless transmission, you'd think it would already have happened by now. I doubt its possible. For one, they won't be able to determine where the thing landed so no missle into world trade for them.
