"Dan Luke" c172rgATbellsouthDOTnet wrote in message ...
"Dave" wrote:
I don't want to lug a laptop into the plane. And, of
course, for hard IFR, you can't legally use it anyway.

??? What's the legal problem?

Maybe it's all in the interpretation, but 14 CFR 91.21 spells it out.
The loophole may be item 5. But, what constitutes the operator making
an informed decision that a laptop with the other associated equipment
won't cause interference to the NAV and COM equipment?


"(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person
may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft
allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the
following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:

(1) Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating
certificate or an operating certificate; or

(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to --

(1) Portable voice recorders;

(2) Hearing aids;

(3) Heart pacemakers;

(4) Electric shavers; or

(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the
aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the
navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to
be used.

(c) In the case of an aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier
operating certificate or an operating certificate, the determination
required by paragraph (b)(5) of this section shall be made by that
operator of the aircraft on which the particular device is to be used.
In the case of other aircraft, the determination may be made by the
pilot in command or other operator of the aircraft. "