Flight Mode: Is It Really Necessary?
Flight Mode: Is It Really Necessary?
https://student.grablingo.com/materials_units/1874
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
permit
Verb
pərˈmɪt
to allow someone to do something
Smoking is not permitted in this area.
anomaly
Noun
əˈnɒm(ə)li
something that is strange, abnormal, or unexpected
The error was determined to be an anomaly.
interrupt
Verb
ˌɪntəˈrəpt
to stop the progress of something
Our road trip was going wonderfully until it was interrupted by a flat tire.
phase
Noun
feɪz
a particular part of a process, journey, etc.
The project is still in its initial phase.
jurisdiction
Noun
ˌdʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃən
the official power to make laws or regulations
Since the crime happened in California, the Arizona police had no jurisdiction.
off the table
Phrase
ɒf ðə ˈteɪb(ə)l
no longer available or open for discussion
That plan is off the table.
Exercise 2
Article
Flight Mode: Is It Really Necessary?
You’re not alone in wondering why you can’t use your data or make calls on a plane. In fact, even the experts can’t quite agree on why transmitting devices might be a safety concern.
This is reflected in the official policies of various airline companies. All Chinese airlines completely ban the use of mobile phones, while Qantas, the flag carrier airline of Australia, permits mobile phone use throughout their flights, provided they are switched to flight mode.
Back in the 1990s, it was feared that mobile phones could interfere with navigation and communication systems. Some pilots and crew members reported anomalies occurring at the same time passengers were seen using mobile phones, and that certain aircraft systems malfunctioned as particular devices were switched on and off.
None of these cases have been proven, and there is only one entry in the Aviation Safety Reporting System that clearly documents an incident where a portable DVD player interrupted flight navigation systems.
However, this entry dates back to 1999 and involved a Boeing 727, an aircraft that is no longer in use.
The Federal Aviation Administration did make changes to allow passengers to use portable electronic devices during all phases of flight in 2013, but the issue of in-flight voice calls falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The European Aviation Safety Agency says that transmitting electronic devices do not pose any safety risks, and announced in 2014 that mobile phones can be used out of flight mode.
In 2013, the FCC remarked that its restrictions on mobile phone use were “outdated.” It proposed allowing passengers to send texts and emails, make voice calls, and use their data. However, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai took the proposal off the table earlier this year, saying that he and many others "value a moment of quiet at 30,000 feet."
Exercise 3
Questions
What is Qantas' policy regarding the use of mobile phones on its planes?
Who is in charge of determining whether or not passengers can make in-flight calls?
What is the European Aviation Safety Agency's stance on transmitting electronic devices?
Why did Ajit Pai take the FCC's proposal off the table?
Exercise 4
Discussion
What do you think about the fact that the experts don't agree as to why transmitting devices might be a safety concern on airplanes?
Why do you think this issue is the subject of so much debate?
Do you think that a 'better safe than sorry' policy is the best option in this case? Why? Why not?
Do you agree that current airline regulations regarding the use of transmitting devices are "outdated?" Why? Why not?
Would you like to be able to access the internet while flying? Why? Why not?
Exercise 5
Further Discussion
Do you also "value a moment of quiet" when you're flying? Why? Why not?
How do you usually keep yourself entertained on flights?
Do you often talk to the people sitting next to you when you fly? Why? Why not?
What are the rules around transmitting devices on the airlines you usually travel with?
Do you think that it's rude to talk on the phone in public places? Why? Why not?
