Flight Mode

[princejolly]

Flight mode is a setting available on many cell phones and other electronic devices that, when engaged, suspends many of the device's signal transmitting functions – thereby disabling the device's capacity to place or receive calls or text messages – while still permitting use of other functions that do not require signal transmission (e.g., games, built-in camera, MP3 player). The name is derived from the fact that it permits the user to operate the device while on board a commercial aircraft while in flight, where the operation of cell phones and other devices that send or receive signals is generally prohibited due to the potential impact on aircraft avionics and the potential for interference with ground cell networks. Other names include airplane mode, offline mode, and standalone mode. FM Receiver, Bluetooth, wireless LAN antenna and GPS should still be operative if the phone is so equipped. Nevertheless certain airlines specifically prohibit the use of devices with a 'Flight mode' at all times. Other devices with flight mode are the iPod Touch and other devices similar to it.