Postby Timothy Huff » October 9th, 2019, 1:29 pm
As a flying instructor, years ago, I had a Singaporean student who would constantly bring his bloody 'phone with him on flights, and as these interrogate by line of sight - usually 2-3 towers, of course it went nuts when at altitude and could now choose from umpteen towers it could now "see". The interrogating signal could be plainly be heard inducing sound in our RT headphones.
I'm by no means expert on these things - I don't even use a mobile - but my understanding is that the interrogating signal is rather more powerful than the usual signal strength once the 'phone has "decided" which tower it is going to deal with. So you might be looking at a situation where interference is only intermittent and for very short periods, unless a tower goes u/s for some reason, at which point all the nearby phone's will re-interrogate the local towers - all at once!
The fuel-pump risk is theoretical, but I think banning their use whilst people are on the forecourt is nevertheless very sensible. You don't now use your mobile when driving, as it is demonstrably a measurable distraction. So why use it when dispensing highly inflammable liquids? Especially if you might drop the bugger - and it's powerful battery - onto the concrete hardstanding where a consequent short could be cause life to become very exciting - and brief - very quickly... if you disagree with the preceding statement, try balancing a bucket of petrol on your head whilst throwing nicads onto the concrete floor and see whether bystanders move away briskly … or not.
I suggest that the precautionary principle should apply here. If it emits radio waves, or strong magnetic fields, and isn't expressly designed to be used with RC aircraft electronics, then I would say it's unwise to have it hard by the models or in the area of the transmitters. It's just one less potential source of interference/distraction/ignition when one is swinging a prop, fuelling-up or flying your pride-and-joy.
My Singaporean student was shewn a bucket of water by the crew-hut, and it was made (in humour) very clear what the fate of his telephone would be if it left the ground again! (this in the days before 'aircraft mode' on mobiles).