Surf the web while flying?

NoPoliticsHere wrote:

"Capt.Doug" wrote in message ...

I usually don't read the posts about electronics, so please excuse my
ignorance if this subject has been visited previously. I'm wondering if
there is a device similar to a handheld GPS receiver (same size, portable
antenna that suction cups to a window, battery powered) that I can use to
surf the web while cruising at the flight levels. The new cellphones won't
work at altitude. If there is a device like I desire, will it work over the
ocean or only over the continental US?


Now this is pretty wild. The one thing I never imagined on a long flight is
my captain surfing the Web. Just keep away from the adult sites as we
need both hands always readily available!

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If you think that, with no inflight web surfing currently available,
pilot's eyes, ears, hands, and feet remain solidly affixed to to the
controls 100% of the time while airborne, you are mistaken. You may be
surprised to learn that during long, boring cruise operations,
newspapers, magazines, and books are read by all involved.
Conversations take place that have *nothing* to do with the flight at
hand! Believe it or not, some will open up a personal DVD player and
watch a movie, or listen to music on their iPod.

The fact is, a professional, experienced flight crew member is able to
safely divide his/her attention between the task at hand, and other
entertaining activities that help to pass the time. I don't believe
that inflight web surfing would pose any greater diversion than a
spirited debate on politics. The added safety benefit from instant
access to unlimited data and information would be a tremendous plus, in
my mind.

Happy Flying!
Scott Skylane

"Scott Skylane" wrote in message
...
NoPoliticsHere wrote:

---------
If you think that, with no inflight web surfing currently available,
pilot's eyes, ears, hands, and feet remain solidly affixed to to the
controls 100% of the time while airborne, you are mistaken. You may be
surprised to learn that during long, boring cruise operations, newspapers,
magazines, and books are read by all involved. Conversations take place
that have *nothing* to do with the flight at hand! Believe it or not,
some will open up a personal DVD player and watch a movie, or listen to
music on their iPod.

The fact is, a professional, experienced flight crew member is able to
safely divide his/her attention between the task at hand, and other
entertaining activities that help to pass the time. I don't believe that
inflight web surfing would pose any greater diversion than a spirited
debate on politics. The added safety benefit from instant access to
unlimited data and information would be a tremendous plus, in my mind.


I thought that even under IFR rules, crew was still supposed to be looking
out for other traffic???

Or how about looking out for each other.... there was that case of an Egypt
Air flight where the crew was bitching about working conditions or something
in the back while a disgruntled Co-pilot praised Allah and then pointed the
nose into the ocean.

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 22:46:30 -0400, "Icebound"
wrote in
::

I thought that even under IFR rules, crew was still supposed to be looking
out for other traffic???


While that is true, in Class A airspace all traffic is supposed to be
radar separated by ATC.

Maybe they can go to the FAA or AOPA web sites and study "Safety Procedures" while flying.
Or buy aviation safety training products on Ebay!

"Scott Skylane" wrote in message
...

snippage

If you think that, with no inflight web surfing currently available,
pilot's eyes, ears, hands, and feet remain solidly affixed to to the
controls 100% of the time while airborne, you are mistaken. You may be
surprised to learn that during long, boring cruise operations, newspapers,
magazines, and books are read by all involved. Conversations take place
that have *nothing* to do with the flight at hand! Believe it or not,
some will open up a personal DVD player and watch a movie, or listen to
music on their iPod.

The fact is, a professional, experienced flight crew member is able to
safely divide his/her attention between the task at hand, and other
entertaining activities that help to pass the time. I don't believe that
inflight web surfing would pose any greater diversion than a spirited
debate on politics. The added safety benefit from instant access to
unlimited data and information would be a tremendous plus, in my mind.


A pro pilot as a co-crew member to tend to flying duties while hie does the
stuff you mentioned above. The original poster is looking to do this while
flying alone. In my mind, this poses a threat to him, his passengers and the
surrounding airspace. Are we so bored flying airplanes that we need a
completely divisive entertainment like web surfing? Gimme a break.
Distractions are the last thing I need when the only PIC on board is me.

"Schmoe" wrote in message The original poster is looking to do this while
flying alone.

What gave you this impression?

D.

Scott Skylane wrote in message ...

If you think that, with no inflight web surfing currently available,
pilot's eyes, ears, hands, and feet remain solidly affixed to to the
controls 100% of the time while airborne, you are mistaken.

I never thought that; it was mainly meant to be a joke. But how
often have pilots dozed off on those long boring flights?

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