About time

The Herald reports:

New Zealand passengers flying to and from the US will soon be able to use their electronic devices during take-off and landing at the American end of their flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it will allow passengers on commercial flights to have their e-readers, tablets and mobile phones switched on during those key parts of the flight in addition to other times. However, devices must be switched to airline mode.

It said it was now satisfied that most commercial aircraft can “tolerate radio interference signals” from personal electronic devices.

While the decision does not apply to New Zealand airspace, Air New Zealand said it was likely that a similar change of rules would be made here in the future.

It’s so annoying that you can’t keep using your iPad in flight mode during take off and landing. On a typical one hour flight between Auckland and Wellington, this can take up over half the time. What it means is I have to bring along a book also, to read during the no iPad times.

What will make me even happier is when more airlines have in flight wireless. Makes such a difference when you can work on a flight, clear e-mails etc.