What does your phone's airplane mode actually do? This is why it's important to use it during a flight
Most people think planes will fall out of the sky if their phones are switched on - while this isn't true, the real reason is still significant
By imma Nike
We're all told to switch our phones to airplane mode when we board a flight - or turn them off completely - but why?
You might have been told that the signal interferes with the vehicle's electronics, causing you to have horrible thoughts of the plane falling out of the sky.
While you might have realised this isn't true if you've accidentally left yours on, the real reason behind airplane mode is still important.
According to a pilot's blog on AirlineUpdates.net , mobile phones do interfere with electronics - just not in the way we think.
They actually cause interference on the aircraft's radios, which pilots can then hear in their headphones. It's the same noise you'll be familiar with if you put your mobile too close to a speaker.
Also read : What does your phone's airplane mode actually do? This is why it's important to use it during a flight
The pilot wrote: "It is not safety critical, but is annoying for sure.
"If say 50 people on board are inconsiderate enough who can’t be bothered to switch their [mobile phone] off, there will be 50 phones constantly looking for cell towers at maximum power. That is a lot of radio pollution.
"It is common courtesy. By switching your phone to airplane mode you show your appreciation to the people doing their job to get you where you want to be."
Apparently it's fairly rare, as the pilot added: "I hear it maybe once or twice a month, and I fly about 50 flights every month."
Airplane mode stops this interference from occuring, meaning happy pilots in the cockpit.
So next time you're on a plane, consider who you might be annoying when you're told to switch your phone off - and definitely switch it into flight mode.
