We have all heard those words on every flight, and there have always been lots of people who say they know why we can’t use personal electronic devices (PEDs) during certain portions of the flight. Everything from navigational interference to regulations that have gone beyond common sense. Today the FAA has provided the reasons behind those regulations for the first time (that I am aware of).
It is nice to know that what I have gathered personally as far as reasons for the restrictions has not been very far from the truth. However, I was surprised to discover that the restriction on cell phone use in flight is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) restriction, and not a FAA restriction.
