Bluetooth On or Off?

[Deleted member 29185]

I've read so many conflicting pieces of advice on AFFs many threads about this that I'm confused about it.

Without the tedious reasons why it should/should not be allowed, can anyone please advise if bluetooth headphones coupled to an iPhone is permitted during "seat belt sign off" times in air? Any airline quirks also helpfull (like VA yes, QF no or vice versa).

Thanks all.

 

[OzEire]

Not sure if these qualify as tedious reasons but here is my 2c worth:

1. BT technology is based on transmission in the RF spectrum, all transmitting devices must be switched off for the duration of the flight. Therefore, BT is not permitted at all during flight. This is why most phones will disable BT in flight mode.

2. However, the headset I use for flying GA is built with, and marketed as a feature, Bluetooth pairing to a phone. I guess it could be for use on the ground (except WHY ?) but is much more useful to ring ahead in-flight to an untowered aerodrome to advise your revised ETA.

3. I would not be surprised if we see change to such rules soon as wireless IFE becomes more widespread.

OzE

 

[marki]

Not sure if these qualify as tedious reasons but here is my 2c worth:

1. BT technology is based on transmission in the RF spectrum, all transmitting devices must be switched off for the duration of the flight. Therefore, BT is not permitted at all during flight. This is why most phones will disable BT in flight mode.

2. However, the headset I use for flying GA is built with, and marketed as a feature, Bluetooth pairing to a phone. I guess it could be for use on the ground (except WHY ?) but is much more useful to ring ahead in-flight to an untowered aerodrome to advise your revised ETA.

3. I would not be surprised if we see change to such rules soon as wireless IFE becomes more widespread.

OzE

The Bose aviation headseats have BT
Can only use the iphone for conversation which should be off any how when on commercial flights or RPT. I am specifically talking iPhone here. Other smartphones may have better BT interoperability. Ie listen to music via headphone Jack

 

[markis10]

Not sure if these qualify as tedious reasons but here is my 2c worth:

1. BT technology is based on transmission in the RF spectrum, all transmitting devices must be switched off for the duration of the flight. Therefore, BT is not permitted at all during flight. This is why most phones will disable BT in flight mode.

2. However, the headset I use for flying GA is built with, and marketed as a feature, Bluetooth pairing to a phone. I guess it could be for use on the ground (except WHY ?) but is much more useful to ring ahead in-flight to an untowered aerodrome to advise your revised ETA.

3. I would not be surprised if we see change to such rules soon as wireless IFE becomes more widespread.

OzE

A couple of points, yes it's RF but so is WiFi used for streaming, in fact WiFi is a LAN technology versus Bluetooth which is a PAN technology (personal area network).
With regard to your headset for flying, their are no specific CAR or CSRs that prohibit the use of transmitters etc on board an aircraft, in the case of charter and RPT its vested on the operator to determine what they tolerate or allow, GA is pretty much free range.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

With regard to your headset for flying, their are no specific CAR or CSRs that prohibit the use of transmitters etc on board an aircraft,

So it's very much an airline specific requirement?

As in VAs Conditions of Carriage, they state "Do not use transmitting devices, such as radios and remote-controlled toys, while on board."

I guess as many of these BT headphones also control the paired device (Volume etc) they too are transmitting devices themselves. Can anyone who knows special exemptions, add a post to this thread so we can perhaps build a bit of a data base of "allowing" airlines?

 

[markis10]

So it's very much an airline specific requirement?

Yes, operator and pilot in charge:

CASR 91.055 requires the operator and the pilot in command to prohibit or limit the operation of a PED on board an aircraft if there is reason to believe the PED may adversely affect the safety of the aircraft

 

[serfty]

Qantas indeed permit the use of Bluetooth during ' "seat belt sign off" times in air' .

Inflight Communications | Qantas

..

Electronic Equipment

All electronic devices, including PDAs, laptop computers, handheld games, iPads, Ebooks and toys must be switched off during take-off and landing.


Portable electronic equipment such as laptop computers (including WiFi and Bluetooth enabled devices), PDAs (without mobile phones), personal music (for example, iPods) iPads, Ebooks and electronic game devices may be used when the aircraft seat belt sign is extinguished after take-off and can now be used until we prepare the cabin for landing.


Radio transmission using personal communication devices (including walkie-talkies, two-way pagers, or global positioning systems) is prohibited at all stages of flight, as it may interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems.

 

[dk4]

Qantas indeed permit the use of Bluetooth during ' "seat belt sign off" times in air' .

Same at JQ.