[LINK] 5 Reasons Why E-Books Aren't There Yet

[Tom Koltai]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: link-bounces at mailman.anu.edu.au 
> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of Kim Holburn
> Sent: Wednesday, 8 June 2011 6:48 PM
> To: Link list
> Subject: Re: [LINK] 5 Reasons Why E-Books Aren't There Yet
> 
> 
> Most of the aeroplanes we fly in now were designed and built 
> long after wireless phones and other devices were in common 
> use.  There is no justification that personal wireless 
> devices would interfere with anything in a modern aeroplane.  
> Even less in a plane with a non-metal shell.  Australia is 
> particularly anal about these silly rules.  
>


Err, not quite:

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/runway-girl/2011/03/breaking-boeing-co
nfirms-wi-fi.html

Quote/
Clearly BIG lessons are being learned about interference through the
massive Gogo retrofits being accomplished. Bloody good to know, I'd say.

Honeywell Phase 3 Display Units (DUs) have shown themselves susceptible
to "blanking" during airline electro magnetic interference (EMI)
certification testing of wireless broadband systems (Wi-Fi) on various
Boeing 737NG airplanes, prompting Boeing to cease linefit installs of
in-flight connectivity systems across its portfolio, including widebody
aircraft.

Multiple sources tell ATI and Flightgloal that the blanking occurred
during EMI testing for Aircell's Gogo in-flight Internet supplemental
type certificate on 737NG aircraft. Aircell has declined comment, saying
"this topic is not Aircell specific and, as such, we do not have any
comment on the matter".

Boeing says it has deferred the activation of wireless systems that
interface with passenger devices that could potentially interfere with
the DU 3 displays. "Boeing has not delivered any installations that
would have this issue. Honeywell has assured us that they are working to
address the problem and we are satisfied that they are taking the
necessary steps to do so," says Bret Jensen with BCA Engineering
Communications.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells ATI and Flightglobal that
Boeing has "gone through and scrubbed the avionics numbers to make sure
that there are no anomalies and that the avionics will not be affected
by personal electronic devices (PEDs). It has been discovered that there
is stuff out there that doesn't meet those requirements yet, and we may
uncover more as we go down that path".

The source adds: "There are three specific part numbers associated with
the [Honeywell] display that could be installed. Those are the ones
[found to be] susceptible to transmissions."

Fallout from the event is already occurring. Multiple sources tell ATI
and Flightglobal that one of the conditions for STC is that 737NG
operators place placards in the flight deck saying that Wi-Fi devices
are to be powered off.

Another condition, say sources, is that 737NG operators are not to have
DU 3 displays installed with the presence of in-flight connectivity
systems, be they Wi-Fi or cellular-based.

On a Boeing Business Jet fitted with in-flight connectivity, for
instance, there is a note in the log book that says Phase 3 DUs are not
to be installed, but that "version 4 is fine and version 2 is fine",
says a source.

Panasonic partner AeroMobile's eXPhone in-flight mobile connectivity
solution, which was made linefit offerable on certain Boeing types, is
not being installed until the Honeywell issue has been addressed. As
such, customers of eXPhone are not receiving aircraft with eXPhone as
planned. Customers of eXPhone include Emirates, Turkish Airlines and V
Australia.

"We're continuing to work closely with Boeing and our partners at
Panasonic to bring eXPhone to full line-fit offerability across the
entire Boeing fleet," says AeroMobile.

Boeing, meanwhile, says: "Current testing by Boeing and Honeywell has
determined that blanking may occur when a DU is subjected to testing
procedures specified by the FAA requirements (AC-20-164) during
installations of Wi-Fi systems on the airplane. Based on testing that
has been conducted, Boeing and Honeywell have concluded that actual EMI
levels experienced during normal operation of typical passenger Wi-Fi
systems would not cause any blanking of the Phase 3 DU. This issue does
not exist with the Phase 1 or 2 DU's."

Honeywell says that, during recent ground testing "at elevated power
levels", the company observed a momentary blanking on the 'flat panel'
liquid crystal displays that it developed and pioneered for Boeing.

"The screens reappeared well within Boeing's specified recovery time
frame. The screens have not blanked in flight and are not a safety of
flight issue. Honeywell is working to ensure the problem is addressed
and fixed and that our technology will continue to exceed
specifications," says Honeywell.

The firm stresses that there have been "no blanking incidents of
in-service aircraft with the Wi-Fi system installed".

A spokesman for the FAA says: "The FAA is aware of some issues involving
interference between Honeywell flight displays and in-flight WiFi that
surfaced during STC testing. The FAA is currently working with both
manufacturers to examine the technical data and test results. After a
thorough review, the FAA will consider if further safety action is
necessary."

Sources say a Service Bulletin from Boeing is expected.
/Quote

As of today - no furtherPR on the topic...