Portable Electronic Devices Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PED ARC) Submitted Consensus Report Monday

The Portable Electronic Devices Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PED ARC) reportedly submitted its consensus report on the use of such devices below 10,000 feet aboard airliners Monday, a move hailed by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

The Chicago Tribune reports that sources familiar with the document say it recommends allowing devices such as tablets and e-readers be allowed to stay on at lower altitudes, but larger devices, such as laptops and DVD players, should continue to be stowed for safety reasons. Cell phone calls would still not be allowed.

The CEA said in a news release that it supports the recommendation of PED ARC to allow the devices to be used at all altitudes of flight on airplanes assessed to be resistant to radio interference.

The FAA established the PED ARC in January 2013 and tasked the committee to make recommendations and provide guidance to allow the expanded use of electronics devices on airplanes without compromising the safe operation of the aircraft. The ARC included more than two dozen private sector and government experts, including representatives from the aviation and electronics industries; pilot and flight attendant unions; the in-flight entertainment and communications industry; passenger advocates; and several government agencies. The committee underwent a thorough process to produce a comprehensive set of consensus recommendations related to technical, operational and safety communications issues.

“CEA applauds the FAA for initiating this serious and comprehensive examination of the issues involved in additional use of consumer electronics on airplanes. We now urge the FAA’s immediate review, consideration and pursuit of the advisory committee’s recommendations,” said Doug Johnson, vice president of technology policy at CEA, and PED ARC member. “We understand the ARC’s recommendations are solely for the FAA’s consideration, and until the FAA issues additional guidance implemented by airlines, current practices remain unchanged.”

Furloughs during the government shutdown which went into effect Tuesday will slow any action by the FAA on the issue.

The CEA says there has been widespread passenger use of PEDs aboard airplanes for several years with no significant interference incidents during tens of millions of flights. Supporting research, conducted jointly by CEA and the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) earlier this year found roughly 99 percent of adult airline passengers who travel with a PED carried at least one on-board with them while traveling in the past 12 months, with 69 percent reporting they used their devices during flight. More, almost one-third (30 percent) of passengers report they have accidently left a PED turned on during a flight.

This topic will be the focus of a CEA Innovation Policy Summit session at the 2014 International CES. The session, “Change is in the air: New policies for using consumer electronics on airplanes,” will be held Thursday, January 9, and explore anticipated next steps pursuant to the advisory committee’s recommendations, passenger expectations, and how various stakeholder groups, including policy makers, are responding.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ce.org