Ever listen to music on your MP3 phone on a plane?

Yes, so long as your phone has an "airplane mode" or has the option to shut off the network. The little pre-flight speeches now include that if your phone has an airplane mode you may use it once you hit 10k feet.

 

I use mine all the time, i found a little adaptor that i can use to plug my noise cancelling headphones into it.

 

If your phone has an airplane mode, then you can do it. iPhone, as well as my Sony W810i, has this option.

Airplane mode disables the sending & recieving portion of the phone. That is what the issue is about. Otherwise, it's just as safe to use as an iPod.

 

I have never researched this precisely, but how would the phone signals interfere with the plane?

 

It's very minimal... Some airlines are now allowing text messaging during the flight. But do you really want to hear someone next to you talking about their life during the whole flight? Or the teenage girls talking about God knows what? I don't.

 

Certain frequencies, especially CDMA 800 (if I recall correctly from a Mythbusters episode) interfere with instrumentation. You can observe this interference in some cars & over some stereo systems, too.

Text from another site:

"""

The study, by CMU's Department of Engineering and Public Policy, found that the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices can interfere with the normal operation of critical airline components, even more so than previously believed.

Researchers concluded that such devices can disrupt the operation of cockpit instruments, including the Global Positioning System receivers that are becoming more common in helping to ensure safe landings.

Researchers noted that there is no definitive instance of an electronic device used by a passenger causing an accident. However, they said their data support the conclusion that use of devices like cell phones "will, in all likelihood, someday cause an accident by interfering with critical cockpit instruments such as GPS receivers."

The findings come as the Federal Communications Commission is considering lifting the ban on the use of cell phones during flight.

Both the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration have barred the in-flight operation of cell phones because of concerns about interference, both to navigational and communications equipment in the air and to cell phone towers on the ground.

Verizon's Airfones, the devices typically found on the backs of passenger seats in some aircraft, operate at frequencies that do not interfere, and have been on some planes for more than a decade.

"""

 

my phone is my primary mp3 player, i gave my ipod to my mom, however i don't think it has an airplane mode on it (blackberry pearl, keep in mind that it's still relatively new to me and i haven't exactly looked for this on it) however, i'll do as i always do, which is go old school, i still use my portable cd player on a regular basis.

 

Check the user's manual. According to Google, your phone has this feature! Rejoice!

 

hallelujah!

 

I have this phone and the way to activate it is to go down to the icon that says turn wireless off, this will disable outgoing and incoming data so that you can use the music features.
That being said I have never figured out how to use this stupid thing as a music player. I'll just stick with my ipod.

 

i had to go out and put a media card into it before i could use it. when you open up the desktop manager, and go to the area where you can transfer data to and from the phone from your computer, you should be able to see a folder on the phone side that says music/ringtones, and you can transfer and store the songs there. but sticking with the ipod sounds like a good idea also.
btw, thanks for the info! thread hijack over.

 

I've tried all that but none of my songs would work, I'm thinking that it may be because I get most of my music from my iTunes account and from other friends who use it. I'm pretty sure the pearl requires MP3's whereas iTunes converts the music to MP4's.

 

Memory card - yup! I love that I can get an 8gig card and have days of songs

Yes, MP3 files are required. I HATE iTunes (& WalMart) because they don't offer MP3 files!!! Curses!

The other trip-up will be super high quality files. I've encoded my own MP3s at home at 320kbps (closer to CD quality). My Sony phone doesn't like these.

 

Iphone has airplane mode in the settings

 

what about a regular iPod Video?

 

If you're asking if they can be used on an airplane, they are allowed. I played sudoku on mine on the way to and from Hawaii last month.

 

Is there really any truth in disruption to avionics or communications. The carrier I fly is a non-issue for all electronic devises.

 

thanks. i was wondering if it will intefere with the plane thing.

 

I have a W810i, but I rarely use the MP3 player mostly because I hate the fact that one must use an adaptor to plug in the headphones. In addition to have any meaningful amount of storage space you have to purchase a memory stick upgrade. Honestly I just use my Ipod whenever I travel anywhere, be it flying, driving, or just out for a jog.

 

Now that this thread is back from the dead...

If you don't already have money invested in an iPod, then the W810i makes more sense. You buy an 8GB memory card for $50 - less than half the cost of the iPod & enjoy!

Also, your phone is always with you, so no lack of music. Ipod? Unless you carry a purse...

 

Actually I had the 810i first, but I did not like the software or the head phone adaptor, so I invested in an 80g Ipod. That said I have no problem with carrying my Ipod, it fits right in my pocket.

 

I am a pilot. I have used my cell while flying many times and never did I see a single needle move.

Mark