Using Your Gps On Commercial Aircraft

[Tsongkapa]

This has probably been asked before, but I couldn't find it in the FAQ, so what I want to know is, can one use one's GPS on a commercial airplane to see when you are crossing the equator for example? Is it allowed by the airline authorities? If one is allowed to use it, does the signal from the satellites penetrate the fusilage? I have noticed with some motor cars that the bodywork interferes with reception. In other cars it isn't a problem.

[+Tzoid]

It depends on individual airline company policies. Some allow it, some don't. But it never hurts to ask, the pilot may allow it even if the company policy doesn't. For best result have a window seat and use an external antenna attached to the window. Having a satellite fix before entering the plane also helps the unit get a fix after takeoff.

[+Poindexter]

See this link as well as this one. The signals will not penetrate the fusealage as you can see from this pic, I'm heading south and sitting on the right side of the plane. All the sat's are to the west with the signals coming through the window.

 

Edited January 28, 2005 by Poindexter

[+briansnat]

Airlines that allow and don't allow GPS use while in flight.

[+The Leprechauns]

This has probably been asked before, but I couldn't find it in the FAQ...

If you read the "Frequently Asked Questions" topic that's pinned at the top of this forum, this post has a useful summary.

 

The site that Brian linked to has always been accurate for me, on a half dozen different airlines.

[+OzarksJim]

While boarding a recent flight on Northwest Airlines from Springfield MO to Memphis TN, I asked a flight attendant if I could use my GPS during cruise. She said she couldn't remember but would ask the pilot.

 

After I had taken my seat, she told me that pilot said, "No, not at any time during the flight". I said, "Okay, thank you."

 

I believe Northwest is one of the airlines that "officially" approves using GPS during flights, but it is always best to ask, just in case.

 

Jim

[+Cache Viking]

Used my Garmin V on at least 4 trips now with no problems. Airlines were Delta and Continental. The remote antenna was for the most part a must or I would have had to hold the unit up against the window the entire time. Each flight said it was OK but the antenna could not be attached to window but setting it on the pillow jammed between my seat and the window worked great. The last flight I was on the Flight Attendant came by and asked where we were because another passenger wanted to know and I wa closer than the phone to the cockpit.

[+Escapades]

I have used mine on Southwest a couple times, just held it close to the window. Its fun to see elevation and speed and ETA.

Mike

[Emily87]

i went to colorado this past summer and my boyfriends older brother brought his GPS and it told up the elevation and that we were going close to 600 mph, i thought it was pretty interesting.

[+GSVNoFixedAbode]

I've had one "No" (on an airline that officially lists as "Yes") and one "Yes" on an airline not on the list: go figure. The latter was fun - firstly the flight crew wanted to compare their figures against my etrex Legend ...then it vanished to the flight deck for 15 minutes ... without me!

 

Still, I always ask before using it.

[+Team Teuton]

On a very recent Delta flight from New Orleans to Atlanta I had my 60CS on the lap table near my window. The flight attendant walked by, took a second look and asked what it was. I showed him our location, altitude, and elevation and he thought it was just the coolest thing ever.

 

Guess he'd never seen one before.

[+TeamTalan]

I tried using our eTrex (Old Yeller) on a US Airways flight from Antigua earlier this month. I could not tell if it acquired any satellites because the screen went black. Somehow the contrast setting was mysteriously lowered and I'm sure that it was not me that did it. I was looking at the display and it quickly went dark. When I have adjusted it in the past, the transition was a lot slower.

I don't know it this was a glitch caused by the aircraft intrumentation or what might have caused it.

[+Wacka]

If you're on a 757, you don't need the GPSr. They have in seat screens and you can pick from several movies and a screen showing altitude, speed, location, etc.

[peter]

I usually use my GPS receiver on a flight to identify specific features that I can see on the ground; unusual rock formations, river beds, etc. The screens provided by the airlines aren't nearly detailed enough for that - they show you about where you are in the country, but not exactly which mountain peak you're currently flying over.

[+Team Cotati]

If you're on a 757, you don't need the GPSr. They have in seat screens and you can pick from several movies and a screen showing altitude, speed, location, etc.

I was under the impression that this capability depended upon which airline you happened to flying on. Are you saying that every single 757 commercial aircraft provides this capability?

[+Wacka]

I've only been on 757s on United. They all had the screens.

[Tsongkapa]

Thanks to all of you who responded.

I will be travelling from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere soon and I thought it would be great to see on the GPS when exactly one crosses the equator, and see the reading change from S to N.

I apologise that I hadn't looked more closely at the FAQs on this topic - but its always nice to read direct posts

[+scotland007]

Not all 757's have screens..I am a 90,000mile+ air traveller, some do, some don't, not all continental 757's have screens, however you find most airlines that fly 767's and definately 777's will.

[+sbell111]

If I remember correctly, United was reconfiguring all their 757s. I don't know if its done.

[+Team Cotati]

Not all 757's have screens..I am a 90,000mile+ air traveller, some do, some don't, not all continental 757's have screens, however you find most airlines that fly 767's and definately 777's will.

Thanks, I think that I'll file that under "It depends upon which airline that you are traveling".