"Some Guy" wrote in message ...
Dave Bushong wrote:

[Dramatic generalization mode on]
Nearly all aircraft accidents are caused by a series of unlikely
events all happening together, none of which by itself would be
a problem.
[Dramatic generalization mode off]

Nice sweeping piece of dis-information there buddy.


Will the in-flight use of an FM radio EVER cause a plane to run out of
fuel? Or cause a sudden ice build-up on the wings? Or blow out a
tire upon landing? Or an overload of the electrical system leading to
a fire? Will the feeble RF emitted by the LO even be detectable
OUTSIDE the plane, where the plane's antennas are located?


It's so damn complicated that nobody can answer the question. Airliners are
going in the direction of all-electronic flight control and management
systems. Somebody's LO won't affect fuel consumption, uhh, unless it affects
the microprocessor or sensors controlling the engine. It's unlikely, a lot
of work goes toward making it extremely unlikely. But remember, I said
unlikely, not impossible.

Ice on the wings? What controls the de-icing boot?

Blow a tire? Is the braking circuit all-mechanical, or do you have something
akin to power boost and anti-lock sensing?

Is the LO detectable outside the fuselage, near the antennas? YES, damn it,
YES. I have measured it, with calibrated field strength meters. Don't give
me your damn dumb opinions when I have seen the results myself. And is the
LO emission strong enough to degrade or deny a navcom signal. YES or MAYBE
or COULD BE. It depends on the passenger's radio, how he holds it, is he
next to a window, is the fuselage unusually leaky to RF, what seat is the
passenger in, what station is the radio tuned to, are the batteries new or
weak, how weak is the navcom signal, what is the attitude of the aircraft,
is the navcom receiver getting old, even are there multiple passenger
receivers acting on the navcom (if they are all like you, how many of 300
passengers will have personal electronics running?).

The POSSIBILITY of interference is undeniable. The PROBABILITY is very
difficult to predict. The safe course is to deny you your entertainment for
several hours to ensure maximum safety. Is that too much to ask of you?

Ed
wb6wsn