If you choose not to activate airplane mode during a flight, “nothing catastrophic happens.” There is no risk of falling, nor engine failure. However, aviation continues to insist on this rule for a clear reason: to avoid technical distractions and ensure the maximum reliability of onboard systems. According to the 20 minutes, the Perico Durán commercial pilot explained, in an episode of the “Tametelo Con Vino” podcast that the real impact is limited but sufficient to justify the repeated warning on all trips.
According to the same commander, “people think that something can happen if we don’t put plane mode” and the truth is that leaving the mobile phone on “is not serious,” but can generate minor interference in the aircraft’s electronic systems. Although these situations do not compromise flight safety, they increase the likelihood of false alerts or inaccurate readings, which in turn oblige additional checks during critical times.
A small gesture, but with technical impact
The pilot stresses that the planes are prepared to deal with this kind of situations. The reason companies ask passengers to activate airplane mode mainly with a zero-risk tolerance policy. In commercial aviation, any element that may cause unnecessary distraction should be avoided.
Writes the same publication that this is not a whim, nor a myth. The use of devices with active connection to mobile networks can cause electromagnetic noise. This phenomenon, albeit rare, can influence the normal functioning of certain systems, such as navigation or communication.
Not all devices cause problems
Although modern mobile phones are increasingly adapted to coexist with aircraft technologies, the standard remains. Explains what, by prudence, passengers continue to be instructed to turn off mobile communications as soon as they enter the plane. Air mode activation, which turns off all wireless connections, is the simplest way to meet this requirement.
The pericman commander also states that, even without severe consequences, misuse of electronic devices can lead to error messages that confuse pilots or force to unnecessary processes. This is why crews insist on this request, even knowing that the risk is reduced.
A measure that protects concentration
It adds the same source that the main concern is reliability. During the detachment and landing phases, in particular, all factors that may interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft are eliminated whenever possible. In this context, airplane mode emerges as a simple mechanism to ensure that the cabin remains free of technical noise.
This means that activating plane mode does not prevent accidents, because they actually do not result from this type of error. But it helps keep the systems stable, avoids unnecessary alarms and reduces the risk of human failure associated with a distraction. The rule persists for security reasons.
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