WASHINGTON-The Federal Aviation Administration is working with a technical advisory group to study interference issues and commercial implications associated with the use of new wireless devices and other portable electronic gadgets on airplanes.
RTCA, previously known as the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, will complete a short-term assessment of existing technologies this November and finish a longer-term review by October 2005.
The Federal Communications Commission bans cell-phone use on airborne planes, a restriction supported by the FAA. However, companies are anxious to give airline passengers access to a new generation of wireless and high-tech products and services-many of which emit radio-frequency energy that could disrupt airplane electronic systems.
