Europe approves use of in-flight electronics during take-off and landing.
Being warned to turn off your mobile phone or tablet ahead of take-off could finally be a thing of the past by December, following a new ruling from Europe's air safety agency.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) has approved the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing and will publish its guidance regarding safety testing and which devices can and can't be used during all phases of flight by the end of November.
The approval follows Federal Aviation Administration’s ruling in October that personal electronic devices such as ebook readers, tablet computers and portable games consoles could be used “during all phases of flight”. Mobile phones will also be allowed, as long as their cellular radios are disabled or they are put into "airplane mode".
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Following Easa’s decision and release of guidance by the end of November this year, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) can then implement the recommendations with individual airlines. Instead of a blanket change, the approval for use of electronic devices during all phases of flight will be made on an airline by airline basis.
Any UK airline that aims to allow the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing will have to present a “safety case” to the CAA in the UK, as Delta Airlines has already done within the US to the FAA.
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/14/europe-approves-electronic-devices-take-off-landing-easa-caa