Can your handheld GPS be used in Commercial flights?

[Brad]

Does anyone know if this can be used? (both permitted and can it pick up through the skin on these planes?) I thought I read where a gay was using one,..BUT it may have been a DAVE BARRY column. (comedy) For those planes that don't have the vid screens built in,..I would love to know where I am. (technoggek that I am)

[eyedoktr]

I'm sure it's a typo but..... what difference does one's sexual preference make whether a GPS can be used or not :) To answer your question, I don't know but have wondered the same thing.

[camolund]

I did it once, on a flight from Detroit to Minneapolis (pre 9/11). I have a mapping GPS and had loaded some of the maps of Michigan and Wisconsin. It was pretty cool to go screaming west and see Lake Michigan come up. I'm not sure if it's legal or not, but I did it. I don't know if I'd do it again for fear of it being taken away.

I did have to hold it up near the window to get a good signal.

Brad

[Pitts]

I know that with an aluminum skin on the plane you will not get a signal from sattelites overhead and thus it will probably not work.
I know for a fact that they will not work in a metal covered pole barn or building. No signal :)


Pitts

[Firetiger(MN)]

I saw some kid with a GPS connected to his laptop, tracking our way from Phoenix one time. So, yes, they do work inside of a plane.

[SJW]

I wanted to do the same thing. Never had the guts to pull it out of my carry on bag. Then coming home on a TWA flight from Hawaii to LA last year at this time the pre-flight speech mentioned GPS's were not be used just like cell phones are not to be used. I do not fly much but this is the first time I have heard a warning about GPS's.

[ChuckD]

How fast were you travelling? That would be cool to map that out.

[RTD]

A handheld GPS will work on a plane but only if you can get a good enough signal through the glass. GPS signals will only pass thru glass or material like canvas, not metal or fiberglass. Newer Garmin GPS units will work up to 999 miles per hour. My old Garmin 45XL was limited to 200 miles per hour. I played with my 12Map on a recent flight to Grand Cayman and it was a nice diversion. The couple behind me had an Eagle and it was working but they had to hold it up to the window. I have a little 1" x1" aftermarket external antenna I can hook up to my Garmin 12Map and attach to the window. I take mine everywhere.

[Suzuki]

All electronic devices turned off during takeoff and landing. Other than that they don't list any exceptions that I know of.

[Shaggy]

About two weeks ago I asked both a stewardess and a pilot about using GPS's while the plane was in flight and neither of them knew if it was OK or not. I also fly every week for work and I have never heard GPS's specifically mentioned like cell phones.

Shaggy

[Mayfly]

I flew to England in the fall of 2000. I asked the pilot (United Airlines) before leaving Chicago if it was O.K. He said go ahead, no problem. I had a window seat and it worked just fine. I have a Garmin 12. It was neat when leaving London. We took off to the east and the dam thing read 000-000 before we headed west and north. Then we flew up just about to the artic circle. Naturally, I punched in a waypoint for London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other places.

[Gumbo]

I tried it while flying over South America a few years ago. No signal.

[gps user]

i justr returned from a trip on sat. the only e device allowed is a lap top. cell phones can be used on ground only before doors are closed. gps, e maps and phones not allowed in air.

sorry steve no name dont want the abuse

peace out

[Brad]

OOPS! I guess I'm lucky no to have heard from Dave Barry!

[Brad]

Ummmm different experiences from different people,...I'm guessing its different airlines having different rules. A few years ago I ran into the same thing about operating a walkman type radio,..some airlines thought it could possibly interefere with air communications. Other airlines didn't think it could. Seemed interesting about the disagreement on this.

[dmeyers]

Tried mine two times once in a turbo prop from Pittsburgh to Det no signal but didn't keep it on to long. Used it going once from Houston to Leon Mexico took a few minutes but locked in traveling 444 mph. There is nothing in the books about using them in the air. All of the electronics that can't be used in flight are mostly transmitters in some way. Have a Garmin Vista.

[irv johnson]

A pilot friend was telling me that when GPS units first came out the lailines were quick to install them on their larger planes as they were more dependable if not more accurate the loran units they were using. The younger pilots would bring onto the planes they were flying the small handhelds as they were felt to be more dependable and in many cases their assigned planes were still using only the loran units and they didn't feel as safe with them.
I use them in my truck and car all the time--see my article on GPS units below.

[PWSR91]

pre 9-11 i didnt have a problem using mine in flight, it was pretty neat. have flown three times since 9-11 and no go. like gps user said. no cells, gps or other devices except lap top

phil #91

[MDT]

I flew on a NW DC-10 from Milwaukee to MN St Paul and tried a Garmin 12. I asked the captain prior to departure if I could try it out. He approved but noted that the unit would not be able to acquire a signal and would not work. I tried and he was correct. So, I spent the time learning the unit and programming in all my favorite coordinates from notes I had written in my log.
MDT

[Brad]

Has anyone flown American Airlines and know their policy?

[Kaz]

I have used my Global 100 in both small planes and on commerical NWA to Alaska and back. In the small plane I have use it to find my planed airport and my alternate,IFR requirements. They are a great back up for the small airports around the US. I still use the charts and the VOR's but have filed direct too, and saved time in the air. On the NWA flights to AK we were travaling at 590/595mph, "Speed over ground". Remember, in the air you are flying in "relative air" and speed over ground is not air speed. Head winds and tail winds must be calculated into ETA. In the center of the aircraft the GPS doesn't get enough signals to give location. Next to a window you can pick-up signals to work. Mapping is a blast to see the cities and lakes show up. Ask, and try it on the next flight. Most Capt's will allow it if you ask....Kaz

[david anderson]

A resounding YES!!!. I never fly without it. I have a GPS III + and take it with me all the time. At security I pull out my computer, put my cell phone, keys, and GPS into the case and have never been questioned. I have flown to at least 5 times after 9-11 and not a problem. I have even taken it to the Taiwan and Hong Kong. Nice thing about the GPS III is that I can wedge the antenna between the window and the shade.
It is fun to check the stats as you fly. Interesting but my first trip back from China recorded a top speed of 759 MPH in a 747 going east. Also every airport is identified via the map, so you just take the pointer to the airport location, hit goto and you have a complete status, including flight time, miles, speed, alt, etc. Interesting but going to China, the GPS will give you the Great Circle Route, up through Alaska and back down the east coast of Asia. I have only been asked once by the flight attendent, who wanted to check with the pilot, who Ok'd it. Depending where the satellites are, sometimes you can just set it on your tray and pick up enough to get a reading. My first Garmin 75 would not lock in. I called Garmin and they told me after 99 mph it disables the unit.

[gunner]

Please see http://www.gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm for information on using GPS units on commercial airlines. Some allow them, some don't.