Use of gadgets during flights comes closer to reality

An advisory panel to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reportedly asked regulators to allow use of certain electronic gadgets during flights.

The recommendation of the FAA would allow passengers to read, play games or watch videos on their gadgets at any altitude throughout the flight.

According to News24, this move is hailed by consumer groups as the current regulations ban the use of smartphone and other computers during take off and landing.

However, the panel maintained that the ban on browsing the internet and sending or receiving texts and emails while the plane is flying below 10, 000 feet should remain intact but these activities could be allowed once the Wi Fi in the plane was activated.

The panel's advice, if approved, may be implemented as early as next year.

The Consumer Electronic Association said that there has been widespread passenger use of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) aboard airplanes for several years with no significant interference incidents during tens of millions of flights, the report added.