I always find this type of conversation interesting. We have become such a technological society that sometimes we just forget the rules or just don't care to follow them. This is the kind of pilot that gives the rest of us a bad name. So here is some solid information to use or not.
There really isn't anything in the FAR's or the AIM pertaining to the use of cell phones on airborne aircraft. The reason is the FAA doesn't have jurisdiction on them. Since the system comes under the FCC they write the rules.
Specifically, FCC Rule 22.925 states, "Cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons, or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground). When any aircraft leaves the ground, all cellular telephones on board that aircraft must be turned off."
Notice that the rule requires that the phone be "turned off." Even if no calls are made from a phone while airborne, incoming telephone calls could cause a unit to transmit automatically, creating the possibility of the same interference as if a call originated in the airborne aircraft.
Fly Safe, and don't fly past your destination and say you were in a heated conversation with your wife on the phone. If you have an accident or incident while on the phone guess what. They will know.
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