GPS

Is it safe to use a handheld GPS on an airliner?

I'm going on a long flight pretty soon and I have a handheld Garmin GPS. I'd like to use it to see where I am, how fast we're going, stuff like that. Is it safe to turn a GPS on when flying? What about during takeoff and landing?

Public Comments

1. If it isnt using active transmitting its safe. But its not alouded during take off and landing when all electronic equipment shall be turned off. Johan
2. of course not it can interfere with the airplanes, that is why people are not allowed to turn thier cellphones and laptop.
3. Most planes these days have a gps display for you to look at during the entire flight. If you use your own it shouldn't be a problem, but if the flight attendant tells you to turn it off, you better do it and fast. My friend tried to argue with a flight attendant when she told him to turn off his mp3 player and he almost got into some real trouble.(I thought he was going to get tasered!)
4. i would say no i am not sure but i would say no and anyways most international flight i have ben on havde had a display of where you are and the speed you are at and other information.
5. No it is against FAA laws to use any electronic equipment below 10,000ft above 10,000 certain electronic are permitted. GPS is never permitted at any altitude, it may interfere with the air crafts navigational instruments.
6. if your GPS sends and recieves a satelite signal (such as with cell phones), which i am sure it does, then no, it can interfere with navigation equipment (or so the FAA says) you are not allowed to use ANY electronic device below 10,000 feet.