Source: UK's 'Airliner World' magazine December 2014 issue;
'Airlines have been told to replace or modify cockpit displays fitted to hundreds of Boeing jets after safety regulators said tests had indicated mobile and computer signals could cause the screens to go blank.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expressed concerns the screens could be disrupted by cellular and Wi-Fi signals from mobile devices. It has estimated that the changes will affect 1,326 Boeing 737 and 777's at a cost of $13.8 million.
The aircraft are typically fitted with several screens, each costing thousands of pounds although Honeywell- the display manufacturer- stressed the problem has not been experienced during a flight. A Honeywell spokesman said: "No display units have ever blanked in-flight due to Wi-Fi interference. The only known occurrence was during a developmental test conducted on the ground. We worked with Boeing and addressed any concerns in 2012 with new display hardware."
A Boeing spokesman said: "We made these recommendations in 2012. The FAA directive makes them mandatory." The FAA has given airlines five years to swap or modify the components, although several carriers, including Virgin Australia, Air France, Ryanair have opposed FAA's decision, stating they do not believe current in-flight Wi-Fi systems or electronic devices emitted signals at a strong enough level to affect equipment on the flightdeck.'
Apologies for not having a link but unlike Australian Aviation magazine they don't exist. My only connection with Airliner World or Australian Aviation magazines is as a subscriber.
'Airlines have been told to replace or modify cockpit displays fitted to hundreds of Boeing jets after safety regulators said tests had indicated mobile and computer signals could cause the screens to go blank.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expressed concerns the screens could be disrupted by cellular and Wi-Fi signals from mobile devices. It has estimated that the changes will affect 1,326 Boeing 737 and 777's at a cost of $13.8 million.
The aircraft are typically fitted with several screens, each costing thousands of pounds although Honeywell- the display manufacturer- stressed the problem has not been experienced during a flight. A Honeywell spokesman said: "No display units have ever blanked in-flight due to Wi-Fi interference. The only known occurrence was during a developmental test conducted on the ground. We worked with Boeing and addressed any concerns in 2012 with new display hardware."
A Boeing spokesman said: "We made these recommendations in 2012. The FAA directive makes them mandatory." The FAA has given airlines five years to swap or modify the components, although several carriers, including Virgin Australia, Air France, Ryanair have opposed FAA's decision, stating they do not believe current in-flight Wi-Fi systems or electronic devices emitted signals at a strong enough level to affect equipment on the flightdeck.'
Apologies for not having a link but unlike Australian Aviation magazine they don't exist. My only connection with Airliner World or Australian Aviation magazines is as a subscriber.