Stratus/Statux, et al on an airliner?

Ken Thompson

Ken Thompson

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Has anyone ever set up a Stratus or similar, or GPS with Foreflight, etc, while traveling cross country on an airliner? Just wondering if anyone freaks out. I've used my iPhone with Foreflight a few times to track my flight. The tracking fades in and out.
 
I've used GPS and a tablet with charts displayed and no one has ever complained. On the other hand, trying to get the stratux (homegrown) with/without an external battery, thru TSA may be an interesting challenge. TSA understands tablets and laptops but anything else is a black hole. How do you explain either to the TSA high-school graduate who really has no clue about FAA requirements, avionics, etc?
 
I haven't used a Stratus/Stratux (only because I don't have either one, yet), but I have used ForeFlight with no issues other than weak GPS.
 
I tend to use a Garmin GLO, which has a better GPS vs. the built-in one. Don't really need everything the Stratus provides when I'm not actually flying.
 
Not sure if they will allow you to broadcast WiFi signal on an airline flight, you might want to check with the airline.
But I agree, the GPS signal inside the big metal tube is pretty spotty. :(

Which can be fun on a VMC day when you break out the sectional (on the iPad) and try to trace your position based on last known location, landmarks, heading and ground speed. :)
 
arnoha said:
I tend to use a Garmin GLO, which has a better GPS vs. the built-in one. Don't really need everything the Stratus provides when I'm not actually flying.
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You use your Garmin on airliners? Doesn't matter what kind you're using. The question was just whether you use it on airline flights.
 
Ken Thompson said:
You use your Garmin on airliners? Doesn't matter what kind you're using. The question was just whether you use it on airline flights.
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Right, yeah, I generally select a window seat and place the GLO on the outer armrest. Never been bothered about it.
 
What about a Bluetooth device? Like a Dual XGPS 150A connected to your iPad using Foreflight. People use Bluetooth headsets on planes all the time. Not Stratus but I'm just wanting to track the flight, not see other traffic.
 
If they allow WIFI at all, then the statux's wifi isn't going to be a problem. There's nothing signal wise different between the Statux and any other device you (iPad, laptop) you might have. The question is whether the airline authorizes the GPS and other receivers. This is something that's up to the individual operator, GPS and other receivers do not enjoy any broad exemption under the FAA rules.
 
It's not the receive function, it's the broadcast that could be an issue.
 
flyingron said:
If they allow WIFI at all, then the statux's wifi isn't going to be a problem. There's nothing signal wise different between the Statux and any other device you (iPad, laptop) you might have. The question is whether the airline authorizes the GPS and other receivers. This is something that's up to the individual operator, GPS and other receivers do not enjoy any broad exemption under the FAA rules.
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GPS is receive only and not a problem. Wifi and bluetooth are transmitters. Either are subject to the captain's discretion, not the airline. Of course if the airline says No, then there's not further discussion.
 
GPS receivers are allowed but technically Stratus devices are prohibited because they broadcast a wifi signal.

But...but...but...laptops, phones, even the planes broadcast wifi you say...yeah, but those are know transmission levels. Not all Wifi Tx levels on all devices are created equal. Not that a Stratus is a high power device, it is just an unknown. That argument is like saying using an aviation radio is OK cuz they use a radio in the cockpit.

Anything that broadcast a signal beyond a bluetooth or PED is prohibited electronics.

In reality they are not an issue...I have used them and been asked only once "what's that?" by a flight attendant..."GPS receiver"..."Oh, OK", I have had sketchy reception sitting in the aisle seats. Work best with a window seat.

TSA won't give a rat's ares or at an eye at it at security. They are too busy caring about 4.1 oz of lotion in your bag...I mean shampoo.
 
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murphey said:
GPS is receive only and not a problem. Wifi and bluetooth are transmitters. Either are subject to the captain's discretion, not the airline. Of course if the airline says No, then there's not further discussion.
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There's no exception for "receivers." They can be problematic as well.

And you are WRONG. It is the OPERATOR (which means the airline) that is responsible for making the determination. For practical matters, the captain is the representative of the operator but he better have a good reason for contradicting the policy of his employer.
 
I wouldn't worry about it....there are probably 2 dozen people on each flight who didn't put planes in airplane mode, left their phones as hotspots, left computers on below 10,000, etc. if airplanes start falling out of the sky unexpectedly I will revisit my statement.
 
I've used my stratux on an airliner. I did have to explain to the TSA that the thing in the Tupperware box was a computer. I simply explained it was a computer without power and screen. I carry a microSD with Raspien on it and switch it out at the hotel. Then I use a wireless miniature keyboard and HDMI cable to surf the net using the hotel TV.
 
Getonit said:
.there are probably 2 dozen people on each flight who didn't put planes in airplane mode, left their phones as hotspots, left computers on below 10,000, etc.
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I hate it when the plane isn't in airplane mode. Isn't that what happened to Sully?
 
You don't really need the stratux in flight if you have a phone with integrated GPS and ForeFlight for example. When I had FF on my iPhone, I put it into airplane mode and still was able to follow the departure procedure and each leg of the flight. It was super cool doing that as I was just wrapping up my instrument rating and actually seeing the big iron fly these same procedures I was doing in a C172 was pretty sweet.
 
I've had a flight attendant scold me for using a wireless mouse. I'm sure breaking out a stratux frankenstien box would freak her out!

"Don't worry, Mam, I just want to be able to see the planes exact position so I can press this button where I was told to"
 
Ravioli said:
I've had a flight attendant scold me for using a wireless mouse. I'm sure breaking out a stratux frankenstien box would freak her out!

"Don't worry, Mam, I just want to be able to see the planes exact position so I can press this button where I was told to"
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Mine wouldn't make it past security...unless they happen to be unusually inept that day. And if I described it the way that @cgrab did, I would get a lot of blank stares and it would be in the bin probably..
 
Security isn't looking for that. My wife and her flight instructor were on the last minute one way tickets and carried on headsets, portable com, portable gps, portable intercom, aviation charts, etc... when they were heading out to ferry back the Navion last time. Nobody batted an eye.
 
On a few commercial flights I've used a Bad elf pro as gps source for foreflight. No issues. I just placed it near window. No weather but I was really just looking for position.
 
flyingron said:
I hate it when the plane isn't in airplane mode. Isn't that what happened to Sully?
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Alright smarty pants.....RTFA.....i think everybody knows what I mean.....Sully clearly didn t put the emg ones in blend mode.....it is all a button these days
 
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