Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the FCC, is pushing [3] for the rules regarding the use of electronic devices [4] to be relaxed in-flight. In a letter [5] to Michael Huerta, acting administrator of the FAA [6], he has asked the aviation body to "enable greater use of tablets, e-readers and other portable devices." Electric shavers, hearing aids, portable voice recorders, and pacemakers are, of course, permitted [7].

This comes a few months after the aviation body announced it would undertake a study on the subject, although it concluded that "voice communications" during the duration of a flight were still verboten. The FAA is still strict about allowing passengers to use their devices during take-off and landing, despite the fact that there is still no evidence that the electronics on personal gadgets are as much a danger to avionic systems as, say, a flock of geese.

[Image by Addy Dugdale]