FCC writes to the FAA about relaxing in-flight electronics rules

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) is pushing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow more electronic devices to be used during flights.

The FAA currently imposes limits on what kinds of electronic devices can be used inside a plane during flight, restrictions that usually are justified to passengers as necessary to prevent possible interference with the aircraft’s navigation systems. Now FCC chairman Julius Genachowski has called on the FAA to “enable greater use of tablets, e-readers, and other portable devices”.