After a long delay, millions of iPods and Kindles finally may be cleared for takeoff. In August the Federal Aviation Administration announced that, pending the results of a study that begins this year, it may allow more leeway on the use of portable electronic deviceseven during takeoffs and landings. And that may save Alec Baldwin, who was thrown off a plane before takeoff last year for refusing to power down his iPad, a lot of grief.
Under current regulations, airlines are allowed to make the call about what devices can be used, and when, without obtaining FAA approval. But aircraft operators are responsible for deciding whether devices will interfere with communication and navigation systems, and most haven’t allowed passengers to use electronics during the beginning and end of flights.
