[paracaidista]

For those interested, I believe §121.542(d) is the regulation they're referring to when they say the FAA has prohibited electronic devices. http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf...

Part 121 of course only applies to airliners. For non-commercial flights, only §91.21 would apply, which is far less prohibitive. http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=14:2.0.1.3.10.1.4....

[aosmith]

Is there a clear violation for a co-pilot or navigator who isn't actively participating in flight duties? If you've ever sat second seat on approach there's not much to do after turning final.

[rurounijones]

Well, that is a special case since the cockpit has to be sterile as pointed out in the article in which case NOTHING is allowed [EDIT (For clarify)] that is not to do with flight operations

[aosmith]

iPads and iPhones are specifically allowed by certain regs... "Nothing" is not the case here.

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_ope...

[rurounijones]

I originally wrote "nothing that is not to do with flight operations" but shortened it thinking that was implied.

i.e. A pilot that is not Pilot in Command in sterile cockpit cannot violate the sterility just because he doesn't have his hands on the controls.

[aosmith]

If the iPad / iPhone is already in the cockpit how is sterility broken? TY for working through this with me :).

Edit: using an approved device in an unforseen way != using an unapproved device.

Edit 2: This was reposted / moved to a proper reply.