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Pilot as passenger jailed for using GPS on plane
A 73-year-old man arrested after he repeatedly ignored a flight crew’s demands to stop using his Global Positioning System. The man told court he was a pilot and routinely used his GPS when flying. That didn’t excuse Ego from complying with flight crew instructions, said Judge Lee Anne Martin. (www.p3air.com) Mais...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
The article actually mentions the GPS charge was stayed, it was refusing to put a seatbelt on that got him into the brig.
pretty soon you won't be able to scratch your $alls..
I don't know why some make such a big deal about electronics on planes. If they actually had the ability to compromise the operations of an aircraft, they wouldn't even be allowed through security.
Really the issue was disobeying a crew member.
He had blatant disregard for the crew members who were constantly telling him to be seated and turn off the device. He should be charged.
@ Av8nut - The rules are there for a reason. While most emphasis is placed on interference of aircraft electronics and navigation, there are other reasons, that devices and small items need to be placed away until a crew member instructs otherwise.
I am sure all pilots and crew members will agree that the first and last 12,000 feet of a flight are called "sterile cockpit" for a reason. This is when things usually go wrong and accidents are more likely to occur.
I don't know about you, but I'd hate to be hit in the head by a flying GPS unit at 15+ G's, because someone wouldn't turn it off and store it securely. ;)
The fact of the matter is, he disregarded a crew members instruction, and must be held accountable. I think jail time was a bit harsh, considering his age, but that is a whole other argument.
I am sure all pilots and crew members will agree that the first and last 12,000 feet of a flight are called "sterile cockpit" for a reason. This is when things usually go wrong and accidents are more likely to occur.
I don't know about you, but I'd hate to be hit in the head by a flying GPS unit at 15+ G's, because someone wouldn't turn it off and store it securely. ;)
The fact of the matter is, he disregarded a crew members instruction, and must be held accountable. I think jail time was a bit harsh, considering his age, but that is a whole other argument.
Now, if the argument is that he didn't follow crew orders, then that's a completely different story. But please, leave the "consumer electronics are going to affect flight systems" argument out of the picture.