Vaughn Simon wrote:OldPilot wrote:Usage of cell phones in airplanes is illegal in the US. .
That's an often repeated bit of misinformation, but the only actual FCC prohibition that I can find applies only to the original 800 MHZ cell phone frequencies. Even if it were true, a hot spot is arguably not a cell phone.
Not misinformation, but rather Federal law.
From http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?...
§22.925 Prohibition on airborne operation of cellular telephones.Cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground). When any aircraft leaves the ground, all cellular telephones on board that aircraft must be turned off. The following notice must be posted on or near each cellular telephone installed in any aircraft:
“The use of cellular telephones while this aircraft is airborne is prohibited by FCC rules, and the violation of this rule could result in suspension of service and/or a fine. The use of cellular telephones while this aircraft is on the ground is subject to FAA regulations.”
When that law was enacted, there was no such thing as a hot spot. Had there been, I'm sure the intent would have been to constrain its use as well, as the technical issue is the airborne device's signal hitting multiple towers on the ground and causing network confusion. I'm no lawyer, so I don't know how this would play out in court, but I suspect you'd have to go there to find out the answer.