If you ’ ve ever flown on a plane , you ’ ve probably heard the safety presentation demonstrated by the flight attendants , followed by a brief announcement to turn your phones into airplane mode . Many people wonder , just how important it is to turn your phones off ?
Pilots communicate with people monitoring the skies from the ground , called Air Traffic Controllers ( ATC ). It is common knowledge that phone signals can interfere with such communication , but how does this work ? Putting your phone in airplane mode disables all cellular / wireless signals that your phone might be receiving , which is also why all texts , calls , and apps that need the internet stop working too . If you did leave your phone using data , though , what would it do ?
Airplane mode is designed purely to disable the input and output of radio and cellular signals . The main concern of such signals comes from towers that put out 5G signals , since these can end up messing with the radio altimeter , a tool the pilots use to help steer the plane .
This does not mean that people with 3G or 4G networks have a free pass to turn off airplane mode , though . All networks could potentially affect the airplane ’ s instruments .
Aside from just the technical elements , too , there are some other benefits for turning on airplane mode while moving through the sky . First off , it helps keep your battery charged . If you ’ re traveling , it ’ s helpful to have a charged device to ensure you can get to wherever you ’ re going with as few complications as possible .
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