Is there any reason why my handheld GPS shouldn't work on a commercial airliner?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there any reason why my handheld GPS shouldn't work on a commercial airliner?

Posted: 3/26/2006 4:59:32 PM EDT

I'm going to be flying in a couple of months.

Has anyone tried it before?

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:02:14 PM EDT

[#1]

You need line of sight to the sat. It might work pressed up against a window, but the signal strength will probably not penetrate the fuselage. They don't work inside most buildings, too. Weak signal.

.....and devices that receive a signal are not authorized for use aboard an aircraft. If someone sees you, reports you, and you have anything but "yes sir" "yes maam" when you are told to turn it off, you can be charged with failure to follow instructions of a flight crew. They are very clear about what you can use and the specific list is in all of the in-flight magazines.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:02:50 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
I'm going to be flying in a couple of months.

Has anyone tried it before?

Get a window seat, make sure you have it on and have acquired satellites before taxiing, and it'll be fine. (mine works on .mil acft under those conditions anyway)

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:03:42 PM EDT

[#3]

Maybe you can pick enough sats up if you are near the window...

They really don't have enough slope to grant a slice of sky, like a vehicle windsheild offers, allowing you to rest the GPS on the dash.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:04:04 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
You need line of sight to the sat. It might work pressed up against a window, but the signal strength will probably not penetrate the fuselage. They don't work inside most buildings, too. Weak signal.

Hmmmm...I've never seen a satellite.

Mine does work inside buildings though.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:04:13 PM EDT

[#5]

I <<AHEM>> know a guy that took his GPS on a plane from Seattle to L.A. No workie, couldn't talk to the sats. They did ask specifically that all GPS units be turned off.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:05:51 PM EDT

[#6]

don't panic when the barometric sensor says 3300'.

Yer pressurized.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:06:18 PM EDT

[#7]

I use my Magellan on every flight. It works, but you have to hold it to the window. It's actually pretty dang cool.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:07:59 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
You need line of sight to the sat. It might work pressed up against a window, but the signal strength will probably not penetrate the fuselage. They don't work inside most buildings, too. Weak signal.

.....and devices that ~~receive~~ transmit a signal are not authorized for use aboard an aircraft. If someone sees you, reports you, and you have anything but "yes sir" "yes maam" when you are told to turn it off, you can be charged with failure to follow instructions of a flight crew. They are very clear about what you can use and the specific list is in all of the in-flight magazines.

That's why devices like cell phones aren't allowed. A handheld rcvr poses no threat to the navigation systems, since it is not a transmitter/transciever.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:08:01 PM EDT

[#9]

Works great, especially if you have a window to the south.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:08:22 PM EDT

[#10]

I used mine all the time until they changed the allowed electronic devices list. It was pretty cool though.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:09:11 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
I use my Magellan on every flight. It works, but you have to hold it to the window. It's actually pretty dang cool.

What is the fastest speed it ever showed?

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:16:07 PM EDT

[#12]

My old GPS maxed out at 99 knots so you had to buy the aviation version for $600 more. But 99 knots was just fine for my Cessna 150 !

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:20:57 PM EDT

[#13]

I used mine last week on the DC to California flight - 430 to 440 miles an hour and 32,000 feet up.

You do have to have a window seat. I used the satellite reception view and moved the antenna around a bit while watching the signal strenght bars. Once I found the place to hold the thing it took just a minute or so to capture enough data to display. I had the base map for the US in memory so I was able to watch the cities pass below me.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:24:01 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I use my Magellan on every flight. It works, but you have to hold it to the window. It's actually pretty dang cool.
What is the fastest speed it ever showed?

I want to say 490, but I swear I've seen 500 and some change.

It's entirely possible that my GPS isn't perfectly accurate at 35,000 ft. I know the speed is dead nuts on while driving, though.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:37:53 PM EDT

[#15]

I've done it, but only with the GPS right against the window. As others have stated, they've changed the rules since I did it, and don't allow GPS's to be running while in flight.

Too bad- I used to really enjoyed seeing an amazing mountain range, and knowing what state and county it was in, for a possible future vacation.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:41:45 PM EDT

[#16]

If you're worried about getting caught get something like this:

www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GPT-700&cat=GPS

Use it with your laptop, and they won't have a clue what you are doing.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:45:34 PM EDT

[#17]

I have used a Magellan handheld several times while flying. Works well. I just put it up to the window.

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:47:14 PM EDT

[#18]

A little off topic but I seem to remember that in the event of another domestic attack the Department of Defense, or whoever regulates the commercial use of the military's GPS system, will deactivate the commercial access so that terrorists using the devices will no longer be able to.

Something to think about if the thing suddenly stops working...

Posted: 3/26/2006 5:47:18 PM EDT

[#19]

.

Posted: 3/26/2006 6:00:44 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
.

What?

Posted: 3/26/2006 6:16:55 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Quoted:
.

What?

It means "nevermind".

Posted: 3/26/2006 6:44:04 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Works great, especially if you have a window to the south.

A southerly view is only important when utilizing Geosychronous satellites such as communications satellites since they are all along the equator. GPS satellites are all polar orbiting meaning that they actually are running north to south about 900 miles above the surface of the Earth (as opposed to 23300 miles for GEO).

Posted: 3/26/2006 6:51:44 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I use my Magellan on every flight. It works, but you have to hold it to the window. It's actually pretty dang cool.
What is the fastest speed it ever showed?

I want to say 490, but I swear I've seen 500 and some change.

It's entirely possible that my GPS isn't perfectly accurate at 35,000 ft. I know the speed is dead nuts on while driving, though.

How about 578 MPH?

Posted: 3/26/2006 6:56:04 PM EDT

[#24]

I have used mine flying my King Air! Works great! Just stuck it up in the window above the dashboard. Though I have never seen 578mph in my C90 even with a tailwind!

Posted: 3/26/2006 6:57:23 PM EDT

[#25]

I have a mil issue Garmin 12xl that works every time at any altitude. I just have to turn it on secretly. No other reason than to see how fast and how high we are.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:00:10 PM EDT

[#26]

I just used mine last week on a Delta flight out of ATL, one of the flight crew asked where we were two or three times, but other than that, I had no problem.

+1 on the window seat.

I fly again Tuesday and can check the flight mag. to see if it has changed.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:08:32 PM EDT

[#27]

I used my eTrex about 18 months ago on a commerical flight. The safety card listing prohibited items wasn't clear on GPS, so I asked the flight attendant and she said it was fine. Just had to hold it up against the window; it took a couple minutes, but it found the satellites.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:11:58 PM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
I just used mine last week on a Delta flight out of ATL, one of the flight crew asked where we were two or three times, but other than that, I had no problem.

+1 on the window seat.

I fly again Tuesday and can check the flight mag. to see if it has changed.

Please do that. I never had them ask me to turn mine off and recall nothing about recieve-only items being forbidden.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:19:03 PM EDT

[#29]

I found this page on Delta (who I fly most of the time) scroll down toward the bottom.

www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/connectivity/personal_electronic_devices/index.jsp

That is not the final answer, but I have found Delta to keep their page up to date pretty well

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:22:31 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
I found this page on Delta (who I fly most of the time) scroll down toward the bottom.

www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/inflight_services/connectivity/personal_electronic_devices/index.jsp

That is not the final answer, but I have found Delta to keep their page up to date pretty well

You can use these while the plane is at the gate with the doors open, after the plane has taken off and reached its cruising altitude and before it begins to descend for landing, and after the plane has landed and is taxiing to the gate.

Personal digital assistants
Personal computer games
GPS (global positioning satellite) systems

Thank you. So much for them being prohibited.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:24:19 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
You need line of sight to the sat. It might work pressed up against a window, but the signal strength will probably not penetrate the fuselage. They don't work inside most buildings, too. Weak signal.

.....and devices that receive a signal are not authorized for use aboard an aircraft. If someone sees you, reports you, and you have anything but "yes sir" "yes maam" when you are told to turn it off, you can be charged with failure to follow instructions of a flight crew. They are very clear about what you can use and the specific list is in all of the in-flight magazines.

You can use these while the plane is at the gate with the doors open, after the plane has taken off and reached its cruising altitude and before it begins to descend for landing, and after the plane has landed and is taxiing to the gate.

Personal digital assistants
Personal computer games
GPS (global positioning satellite) systems

Seems that they ARE authorized for use.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:24:45 PM EDT

[#32]

I used mine on a United Flight to Hawaii and got 2nd place in the "halfway to Hawaii" contest. Stuck up against the window it works pretty well. I think I was getting around 580 mph on the way back at one time. Garmin Map 76S

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:41:17 PM EDT

[#33]

just used it last week on southwest, it says they are OK on like page 272 or 273 of their inflight magazines.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:43:54 PM EDT

[#34]

Apparently it depends on the airline:
www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/duringFlight/onboardTechnology.jhtml?anchorEvent=false

Electronic Equipment/Personal Devices
All portable electronic devices must remain off and properly stowed during taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing until the plane is at the gate and the seat belt sign is off. Cellphones may be used on certain aircraft after landing in the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, once authorized by a flight attendant. Your flight attendant will tell you when you may use approved portable electronic devices in-flight. Devices with transmitting capabilities may only be used if the transmit capability is turned off and can be verified by a flight attendant (example: combination cellphone/PDA devices or laptop computers with wireless capabilities). During flight, never use cellphones (to make or receive calls), two-way pagers, radios, TV sets, remote controls (example: DVD, CD, game, or toy remote controls), a cordless computer mouse, commercial TV cameras, or Global Positioning Systems. Radio transmission using personal communications devices (example: walkie-talkies, two-way pagers, or wireless headphones) is prohibited, as it may interfere with the aircraft's communications and navigation systems. Devices that could cause damage to equipment or that may diminish the design, function, or capability of the aircraft are prohibited. You may use audio and video devices only with a headset. Use of still and video cameras, film or digital, is permitted only for recording personal events. Photography or video recording of airline personnel, equipment, or procedures is strictly prohibited.*

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:45:15 PM EDT

[#35]

Originally Posted By John Parker:
..... in my C90 <snip>

Oh how I'd like to be able to use that phrase in a sentance

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:48:13 PM EDT

[#36]

I was using Street Atlas USA and my USB powered GPS the last time I flew and it was pretty neat. Definately need a window seat for it to work.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:50:53 PM EDT

[#37]

I did it on the way home on leave. It works. The stewardess caught me and made me shut it off though.

Posted: 3/26/2006 7:55:30 PM EDT

[#38]

Guess that it is air line to air line thing

You have to love consistency, huh

Sort of like taking your shoes off in one airport, and not another.

Posted: 3/26/2006 10:48:39 PM EDT

[#39]

They may be "receivers" but like just about any piece of consumer electronics they also emit RFI. It's probably easier to ban all of them than to try to get comprehensive and updated lists of "safe" units, because as you can see some guys don't care about the rules, and you know some of the guys around here would be assholes about their unit being safe unless specifically banned using their latest software update.

If you want to see satellites, on a clear night, with at least fair sky visibility look for stars moving North to South, won't take too long before you see a few.

Posted: 3/26/2006 11:11:24 PM EDT

[#40]

Hmmmm...I've never seen a satellite.

Mine does work inside buildings though.

You've never looked up and seen the satellites passing over at night?

Posted: 3/27/2006 12:22:24 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I'm going to be flying in a couple of months.

Has anyone tried it before?

Mine worked pretty good inside a 46 - under the fuselage and rotors. In areas with less coverage I had to hold it out the window to get a lock sometimes. Should work better in an airliner.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there any reason why my handheld GPS shouldn't work on a commercial airliner?

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