**Executive Summary**
This Civil Aviation Requirement, issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and effective forthwith, outlines the regulations for the use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) on Indian Civil Registered aircraft. It specifies when intentionally transmitting devices must be in non-transmitting mode (airplane mode) and permits the use of internet services through WiFi under certain conditions. Operators must incorporate these requirements into their company policies and training programs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Prohibited Devices**: No person shall use any electronic device which intentionally transmits radio signals (e.g., mobile/cellular phones, amateur radio transceivers) at all times while on board an aircraft.
* **PEDs in Non-Transmitting Mode**: Intentionally transmitting PEDs (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) must be kept in non-transmitting mode (Flight/Airplane Mode).
* **Use of Internet via WiFi**:
* Permitted on the instruction of Pilot in Command (PIC) if PEDs are in non-transmitting mode.
* Aircraft must have DGCA approval for WiFi internet facilities.
* The IFMC service provider must be approved by the Department of Telecommunication, India.
* Internet service through WiFi must be available at a minimum height of 3000 meters (10000 feet) above the departure/arrival airfield elevation.
* Internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when Portable electronic devices are used only in Flight/airplane mode.
* **PIC Authority**: The Pilot in Command can require deactivation and stowage of PEDs at any time and for any reason.
* **Risk Assessment**: Operators must identify safety hazards and manage risks associated with internet services via WiFi, considering factors like PED use in different zones/phases of flight, turbulence, stowing, evacuation, passenger non-compliance, disruptive passengers, and battery fires.
* **Non-Transmitting Devices**: Passenger "carry-on" electronic devices, which are not intentional transmitters of radio signals should not be used during taxi, take-off, climb out, descent, final approach, and landing phases.
* **Passenger Awareness**: Operators must inform passengers about the restrictions on using mobile/cellular phones and other carry-on electronic devices in transmitting mode and non-transmitting mode, including handling and stowage guidelines.
* **Cabin Crew Responsibility**: Cabin crew must monitor passenger compliance with these requirements.
* **Violation Reporting**: Any violation must be reported to the Commander and recorded in the flight report book.
* **Policy Integration**: Operators must include these requirements in company policy documents (Operations Manual, Cabin Crew Manual, Passenger Briefing Card, etc.).
* **Incident Reporting**: All operators shall report PED events related to suspected or confirmed PED interference, smoke or fire caused by PED to DGCA.
**Impact Analysis**
**Aircraft Operators**
* **Impact**: Required to ensure compliance with the Civil Aviation Requirements for PED usage on board Indian Civil Registered aircraft, including obtaining necessary approvals for Wi-Fi services, updating company policies, and training crew.
* **Action Required**: Obtain DGCA approval for WiFi internet facilities, ensure IFMC service provider is approved, incorporate requirements into company policies and training programs, and report PED-related incidents to DGCA.
**Passengers**
* **Impact**: Subject to restrictions on the use of intentionally transmitting electronic devices during all phases of flight, with specific regulations for devices using WiFi.
* **Action Required**: Comply with instructions regarding PED usage, ensure devices are in non-transmitting mode when required, and stow devices properly during take-off and landing.
**Cabin Crew**
* **Impact**: Required to monitor passenger compliance with PED usage regulations and report violations.
* **Action Required**: Monitor passenger PED usage, report violations to the Commander, and record violations in the flight report book.
**Pilots**
* **Impact**: As Pilot in Command (PIC), authorized to instruct use of internet services through WiFi by PEDs and to require deactivation and stowage of PEDs at any time.
* **Action Required**: When/if internet services through WiFi by PEDs are to be permitted, instruct cabin crew to communicate this to passengers. Should violations of PED use restrictions be observed, record this in flight report.
Key Entities Referenced
Civil Aviation Requirements: The main policy document providing requirements for the use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight in India.
Aircraft Rules, 1937: Aviation law under which the Civil Aviation Requirement is issued, specifically Rules 29B and 133A.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulatory body responsible for civil aviation in India, requiring approval for WiFi use and reporting of PED interference.
Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules-2018: Rules notified by the Ministry of Communications regarding in-flight and maritime connectivity.
Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs): Electronic devices, with a focus on intentionally/non-intentionally transmitting devices.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP. SAFADRJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTON 5- AIR SAFETY
SERIES ‘X’ PART I
ISSUE II, XX August 2020
EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
DGCA-15032(02)/3/2020-DAS
Subject: Safety Hazard-Use of Mobile/Cellular Telephones inside the flight
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Portable electronic devices (PEDs) carried on board airplane by crew
members, passengers or as part of the cargo are not included in the
approved aircraft configuration. They may not meet the stringent
electromagnetic emission standards imposed on certified airborne equipment.
Many of these portable electronic devices have shown significant radio
frequency emissions in excess of allowable levels within the frequency band
of aircraft communication and navigation systems. The aircraft manufacturers
had therefore, recommended that any passenger electronic device, which
intentionally transmits radio signals should be prohibited for use by
passengers at all times while on board the airplane. These intentionally
transmitting portable electronic devices include laptops, tablets,
smartphones, smartwatches, e-readers, point of sale device, radio
transceivers, etc. The other type of passenger ‘carry on’ portable electronic
devices, which are not intentional transmitter of radio signals are portable
voice records, video recorder, electronic entertainment devices, electric
shavers, etc.
1.2. With the advancement in technologies and research on usage of mobile
phones in air, regulators including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have determined that
airlines can safely allow use of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) by
passengers during all phases of flight in flight/airplane mode. The use of
these devices during flight is as per implementation guidance provided by
them. The usage is also supported by inputs from airlines, aircraftCIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES X PART I XX AUGUST 2020
manufacturers, travelling public, pilots, cabin crew and mobile technology
companies.
1.3. Ministry of Communications (Department of Telecommunications) vide their
Gazette notification dated 14.12.2018, notified Flight and Maritime Connectivity
Rules-2018 for grant and regulation of authorisation for in Flight and Maritime
Connectivity. “In Flight and Maritime Connectivity or IFMC” means the
establishment, maintenance and working of telegraph to provide wireless voice
or data or both type of telegraph messages in aircraft. This allows the use of
internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft, which will be made available when
electronic devices are permitted to be used only in airplane mode within or
above India or Indian territorial waters.
1.4. This Civil Aviation Requirements provides the requirements for the usage of
intentionally/non-intentionally transmitting portable electronic devices (PEDs)
during all phases of flight.
1.5. In order to ensure safety of aircraft operation in flight, this Civil Aviation
Requirement is issued under the provisions of Rule 29B read in conjunction
with Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
2. APPLICABILITY
2.1 This Civil Aviation Requirement is applicable to all persons on board all Indian
Civil Registered aircraft and to all Indian operators engaged in scheduled,
non-scheduled and private operations.
3. REQUIREMENTS
3.1 No person shall use any electronic device, which intentionally transmits radio
signals like mobile/cellular phones, amateur radio transceivers, etc. at all
times while on board an aircraft for the purpose of flight.
3.2 Portable Electronic devices(PEDs), intentionally transmitting radio signals
like laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, e-readers, or point of sale
device, if carried on board, shall be kept in non-transmitting mode (commonly
referred to as Flight/Airplane Mode).
3.3 Notwithstanding anything contained in para 3.1, on the instruction of Pilot in
Command (PIC) of the aircraft, use of internet services through WiFi by PEDs in
non-transmitting mode shall be permitted subject to following conditions:
a) The aircraft shall have the approval from Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) for use of internet facilities through WiFi on-board the
aircraft.
b) The aircraft operator shall ensure that the IFMC service provide is
approved by Department of Telecommunication, India for provision of
these services during flight.
c) The internet service through WiFi on-board the aircraft shall be available
at minimum height of 3000 meters or 10000 Feet’s above
departure/arrival airfield elevation.CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES X PART I XX AUGUST 2020
d) Internet services through Wi-Fi in aircraft shall be made available when
Portable electronic devices are used only in Flight/airplane mode.
e) Restriction as contained in aircraft certification document/ Aircraft Flight
Manual or equivalent documents with regards to use of PEDs in different
aircraft zone or to a particular transmitting technology.
f) The Pilot in Command may, for any reason and during any phase of flight,
require deactivation and stowage of PEDs.
3.4 The operator shall identify the safety hazards and manage the associated risks for
the use of internet services through WiFi by PEDs. The risk assessment should
include hazards associated with:
i. PEDs in different aircraft zones;
ii. PED use during various phases of flight;
iii. PED use during turbulence;
iv. Improperly stowed PEDs;
v. Impended or slowed evacuations;
vi. Passenger non-compliance, e.g. not deactivating transmitting functions, not
switching off PEDs or not stowing PEDs properly;
vii. Disruptive passengers; and
viii. Battery fire.
3.5 Passenger carry on electronic devices, which are not intentional transmitter of
radio signals such as portable voice records, electronic entertainment
devices, electric shavers, etc., if carried on board, shall not be used by any
person, as announced by the cabin crew, inside the aircraft during taxi,
take-off, climb out, descent, final approach and landing phases of flight. This
shall not apply to medical electronic devices such as pace makers, hearing
aids.
3.6 All operators shall by suitable means address passengers on board their
aircraft emphasizing the above mentioned prohibition regarding the use of
mobile/cellular phones and other carry on electronic devices inside the aircraft
in transmitting mode and non-transmitting mode prior to commencement of
the flight highlighting safety aspect including handling and stowage of PEDs
by the passengers.
3.7 Cabin crew, besides their other duties, during the flight shall keep a watch on
the passengers to ensure compliance of the above prohibitory requirements.
3.8 Any violation of these requirements during the flight should be brought to the
notice of the Commander by the cabin crew and recorded in the flight report
book for subsequent action by the operator against the defaulting person.
3.9 All operators shall include contents of this Civil Aviation Requirement in their
company policy document and other operational documents like Operations
Manual, Cabin Crew Manual, Passenger Briefing Card, etc. for compliance by
their concerned personnel.
3.10 All operators shall report PED events related to suspected or confirmed PED
interference, smoke or fire caused by PED to DGCA (Kind Attn: DAS Hqrs.).CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES X PART I XX AUGUST 2020
They shall also evaluate their aircraft as being transmitting PED resistant.
4 GUIDELINES FOR CREW TRAINING
All operators shall develop training program for crew on the following aspects:
(cid:183) PEDs, if any, that cannot be used on board.
(cid:183) Situation where PEDs are to be switched-off/on/kept in non-transmitting
mode.
(cid:183) Use of internet facilities through Wifi on-board the aircraft including the
conditions under which the PIC require deactivation of the services.
(cid:183) Stowage of PEDs during take-off and landing.
(cid:183) Applicability on type of aircraft.
(cid:183) Update on PEDs policy of the operator.
(cid:183) Procedure for handling PED interference normal, abnormal and during
emergency.
(cid:183) Procedures to recognize, respond and report suspected PEDs
interference.
(cid:183) Cabin crew responsibilities and procedures concerning use of PEDs.
(cid:183) CRM and workload issues.
(Arun Kumar)
Director General of Civil Aviation.