Following behind the US Federal Aviation Administration, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will working towards publishing guidance by end of November 2013 that will extend the use of Persona Electrontic Devices during all stages of flight according to a press release at http://easa.europa.eu/communications/press-release.php.
Interestingly, EASA has specified an extra item in its list. These include:
– Tablets
– Smartphones
– E-Readers
– MP3 players
(The odd one out is MP3 players which are not mentioned in the FAA guidance).
Devices will need to be in Flight Mode/Airplane mode during all stages of flight, and will not cover the use of voice communications in the air.
EASA also have followed the FAA’s implementation of the proposal, by stating
Bulky PED such as laptop computers will need to be stowed during taxiing, take-off and landing.
Patrick Ky, EASA Executive Director states
“This is a major step in the process of expanding the freedom to use personal electronic devices on-board aircraft without compromise in safety”
This guidance will apply to European registered aircraft, and if applied by airlines how they choose to implement the guidance.
Alas, EASA wants to make like more nasty in the air, and is examining ways to certify the use of mobile phones on-board aircraft to make phone calls
This is a big step for those who have been following the changes in the USA, and have been pondering when the European skies will follow along. Certification will take time as a lot of European airlines are not at the same state as some US airlines who offer WiFi aboard – thus adding to the paperwork pile to be completed.
But I would be surprised if by the end of 2013, there isn’t at least one or two airlines who will change their regulations to allow Personal Electronic Devices on during all stages of flight.