On 17-Jul-2006, Bob Fry wrote:

Using a digital PCS phone in flight is not illegal so long as the PIC
determines it doesn't interfere with any flight or nav instruments.
Using an older AMPS cellphone is illegal.


WRONG!!!

Use of ANY ordinary cellphone while in flight is prohibited. The exception
as of today is that AirCell phones (which use analog technology) are allowed
under a special FCC waiver. (For more technical info on AirCell, see:
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/...esc=Technology)

The FCC has recently auctioned some spectrum intended for use in providing
air-to-ground links for commercial airliners. These will be used to connect
micro base stations within the airplane cabin with terrestrial networks.
Once these airborne base stations are deployed, passengers will be able to
use compatible cellphones in flight. Because connection will be to the base
station within the same airplane cabin, transmit power of both the base
station and the cellphone will be extremely low, so that they will not
interfere with terrestrial cellular networks. It is not clear whether the
operators of this airborne system will make it available to private
aircraft.

-Elliott Drucker