Texting While Flying vs. Texting While Driving

[Mike M]

Does paragraph (b) item 5 mean that the PIC can determine that it is safe to text?

Yes, if one means, "will it impair the navigation or communication capabilities of my electronic equipment?" But the PIC does not determine if it is legal, and "safe" means more than electronic interference.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Gu...4?OpenDocument

http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/...fm?newsId=6275

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/wireless-devices-airplanes

http://dwiwatch.org/cell-phone-texting.php

http://www.bookofodds.com/Accidents-...More-Dangerous

www.dwiwatch.org/A-Comparison-of-the-Cell-Phone-Driver-and-the-Drunk-Driver.pdf

As an EMS pilot whose crews sponge up the results of inattention to task caused by booze, drugs, phone calls, and texting, I tend to agree with those studies. But that's just my opinion. We're each entitled to our own opinions, not our own facts.

Pay attention to the view out the window. Your closure rate with descending opposite-direction traffic at 7500"msl might be 500kts.

Your mileage may vary.