Do portable electronics endanger flight? The evidence mounts

According to a new study, the risk that RF emissions from carry-on electronic devices will affect avionics, although not high, is still high enough to warrant tougher government regulations. The authors discuss a study by RTCA on the problems of interference caused by portable electronic devices (PEDs). The electromagnetic emissions from PEDs and their effects on avionic systems, particularly radionavigation and communications, are discussed. Some of the PEDs and the types of problems that they can cause are then discussed. The regulations covering this issue are outlined.