"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote in message
...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06060/662669.stm

In addition to the cell phones issue the study says...

QUOTE
Airlines typically allow the use of portable electronic devices, like game
players and DVDs, above 10,000 feet, but not during takeoff or landing.
Laptops also can be used, but not for communications purposes, such as
sending or receiving e-mail.

In the past, the FAA has found nothing to indicate that the use of passive
devices like laptops or game-playing electronics poses a threat to the
aircraft.

However, the CMU study concluded otherwise. While the researchers looked
primarily at cell phone use, they also discovered that emissions from
other portable devices proved "problematic."

"We found that the risk posed by these portable devices is higher than
previously believed," researcher Bill Strauss said in a release announcing
the findings.

/QUOTE

I also liked this little tidbit...

QUOTE

And despite the ban on cell phone use during flights, the researchers
discovered that on average one to four cell phone calls are made from
every commercial flight in the northeast United States.

Some are even made during critical flight times, such as the climb after
takeoff or the final approach.

/QUOTE

I don't know about interference in airliners but I do know they can
interfere in GA. I was flying a Cessna 182 with Stec autopilot on altitude
hold when my pocket buzzed and the airplane pitched down hard for a couple
seconds. My cell phone (which I had forgotten to turn off) rang twice
before I hit the disconnect button, the airplane pitched down both times.

My cell phone is sitting on my desk by my computer speakers, each time it
rings the speakers buzz loudly. There is certainly enough output to affect
close-by avionics.

Allen