Is it possible to use a cell phone while flying?

[Hank]

  On 5/6/2015 at 7:08 PM, Marauder said:

I think it is an audio input jack.

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I think you're right. Either audio input or attaching a Bluetooth unit for audio.

Bought mine before that feature appeared. But I have audio input in my panel anyway.

[Rik]

There could be a bit more information contained in the instruction manual. It seems to make some assumptions but not the end of the world. Maybe it allows you to plug an external mic for recording audio?

[Andy95W]

It is audio input. I bought mine last OSH and specifically asked Phil that question.

Speaking of which, Phil McCandless owns the company and an M20B, he posts here regularly. If you have any questions, give him a call. Very friendly and helpful.

[Andy95W]

I

  On 5/6/2015 at 2:44 PM, Hank said:

My first ones were white, then I lost one and ordered spares before finding there are more in the case. The new ones are grey. They are molded with ridges and slip right in without having to roll between your fingers. I'll take a picture Friday if you need. Look in the baggie in your case with the yellow foamies, see what else is in there.

When I bought the spare set, I think it was $3 for at least two pair. I called and left a message (they were closed), and Dr. Phil called back in less than two hours. Order received in two days! Unbelievable!

I'll have to actually look inside the Baggie and try out all the different earplugs. I liked the yellow foam ones so much I didn't even try the others. Astounding all the stuff I don't know...

[Marauder]

  On 5/6/2015 at 9:52 PM, N1395W said:

I

I'll have to actually look inside the Baggie and try out all the different earplugs. I liked the yellow foam ones so much I didn't even try the others. Astounding all the stuff I don't know...

I liked the yellow ones right up to winter. I found sticking stones in my ears more comfortable than the yellow ones in winter. I do like the black ones. I think theses were a new addition to his offerings.

BTW -- I went to their website. Fun N Sun must have been good to them. They are sold out. Even posting a "don't even try to order" message.

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[gsxrpilot]

FWIW... I can't remember the last time I turned off my cell phone in flight.  100+ hours per year in the Mooney and another 150K miles per year on various airlines.

[Hank]

  On 5/6/2015 at 11:22 PM, gsxrpilot said:

FWIW... I can't remember the last time I turned off my cell phone in flight.  100+ hours per year in the Mooney and another 150K miles per year on various airlines.

In the Mooney, I put mine on airplane mode. If I don't, a simple 400 nm XC will nearly drain the battery, searching for a signal the whole way. Sometimes I forget to do so in the giant aluminum tube, with no consequences yet.

[kortopates]

From a SAR standpoint its best to always leave your cell phone on while in flight. If you go down and SAR folks can get your cell phone (e.g. Flight plan, friend, relative etc.) and have the phone company ping your phone for a GPS position before the search even begins.

It can be very helpful in getting help to you much sooner if your 406 with GPS position source failed or you don't have one or just to corroborate the other data.

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[jlunseth]

The limit is about 3,000 feet AGL, it is very unlikely you will get reception above that altitude.  Maybe strings of text data but not voice.

 

The primary reason to carry a cellphone and have a Bluetooth headset is to be able to call Clearance Delivery from the ground at remote airports, and get your clearance before takeoff.  With the Bose Bluetooth you get excellent sound over the engine running, and don't have to stick the phone up under one side of the headset.

 

Five or six years ago, right after I had purchased my Mooney, I had the Comm 2 taken out for some work and went out for a short local flight with just the existing GPS/Comm 1.  About half way through the flight I realized the GPS was blank, and in fact was dead, and so was my only comm.  I fly out of KFCM, which is not only a towered airport inside Bravo airspace, but they happened to have an airshow going on that day.  I managed to navigate to a small rural airport and land.  I called the KFCM tower and explained my predicament.  They said no problem, just call us again when you are closer and we will give you further instructions, which is what I did.  They got all the airshow aircraft on the ground out of the pattern and had me come in and land to light signals.  Nothing like having about 20 professional and military pilots on the ground scoping out your landing.  As an emergency backup, it worked really well.