Coming soon: Texting on Philippine flights

MANILA - Air travelers can soon text their friends and relatives throughout an entire flight.

Taking a page from American counterparts, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced on Tuesday that it is mulling to lift the ban on the use of electronic devices due to lack of proof that these may affect the plane’s communication and navigation systems.

Making calls, however, are still not allowed and phones should be on silent mode during the trip, according to CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya.

“It’s CAAP’s own assessment on the use of cell- phones on board an aircraft. As an example, the Philippine Air Force has no such restrictions on cellphone use on board a military plane. The crew even used it for reporting their positions,” said Joya, a former Air Force intelligence chief.

Passengers are currently barred by the government from using mobile gadgets especially during takeoffs and landings while the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) said it can be done as long as the airplane rose above 10,000 feet.

The FAA dropped the rule last Thursday after a commissioned study by aviation experts showed most com- mercial planes can withstand signal interference from cellphones.

Airline pilot unions in the United States welcomed the development but also expressed concern about passengers who may not heed the advice to turn off their devices during poor weather conditions, which affect, among others, the visibility of the runway.

Joya told Sun.Star that CAAP will no longer consult the airlines on the amendment since the agency is “just removing the restrictions from PCAR (Philippines Civil Aviation Regulation).”

Officials from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific

could not be reached for comment.

The CAAP official said he is not sure when the new rule will be implemented. State regulations are deemed effective 15 days after publication in a major newspaper. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)