Video shows pilot sending image from iPhone to second plane at 35,000 feet with AirDrop
Taking peer-to-peer direct wireless transfers to new heights, a new video shows Apple's AirDrop technology being used to send pictures taken from one plane to another in-flight, at 35,000 feet.
Frequent YouTube poster LouB747 posted the video on Aug. 3. The video depicts him in the pilot seat, communicating from 35,000 feet, with the other Singapore Airlines plane at 36,000 feet in close proximity.
The pilot sent pictures of the plane in flight to the other plane, with the recipient acknowledging receipt on the plane's radio.
The YouTube channel contains many other videos about commercial aviation.
The physics of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are a bit different at altitude, with no intervening obstacles other than the aircraft's skin.
While Apple's published data on Bluetooth and wi-fi note a range of 30 feet, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have significantly longer ranges at ground level even with obstacles. Presumably, the thinner air, the line-of-sight, and lack of notable RF shielding increase the range on the technology at that altitude.
While AppleInsider couldn't directly confirm the authenticity of the transfer as depicted, we spoke to a former naval aviator who has transitioned to commercial flight. He confirmed to us that this is not all that uncommon amongst pilots, and he has done it at approximately the same range and altitude on more than one occasion.
Frequent YouTube poster LouB747 posted the video on Aug. 3. The video depicts him in the pilot seat, communicating from 35,000 feet, with the other Singapore Airlines plane at 36,000 feet in close proximity.
The pilot sent pictures of the plane in flight to the other plane, with the recipient acknowledging receipt on the plane's radio.
The YouTube channel contains many other videos about commercial aviation.
The physics of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are a bit different at altitude, with no intervening obstacles other than the aircraft's skin.
While Apple's published data on Bluetooth and wi-fi note a range of 30 feet, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have significantly longer ranges at ground level even with obstacles. Presumably, the thinner air, the line-of-sight, and lack of notable RF shielding increase the range on the technology at that altitude.
While AppleInsider couldn't directly confirm the authenticity of the transfer as depicted, we spoke to a former naval aviator who has transitioned to commercial flight. He confirmed to us that this is not all that uncommon amongst pilots, and he has done it at approximately the same range and altitude on more than one occasion.
Comments
1. Cool
2. Isn't 1000 feet separation too close for safety?
3. Shouldn't he "keep his eyes on the road"?
4. What about the "cell phones can interrupt flight operations" claim?
And I get annoyed when I see people driving and texting…
3: Most commercial flights are on autopilot at altitude. Plus, there's a co-pilot.
4: They can, and probably do in any major volume. One device isn't probably an issue. 135 at the same time probably are.
3. He keeps his eyes on the instrumentation and occasionally - looks outside.
4. Not when you are at FL3xx. Cell phone signal might interfere with signals from approach nav systems when you land. However, when airplane is flying in cruise, it relies on IRS and GPS. And neither is affected by radiosignals in wifi / gsm part of the spectrum.
That's cellular function only. Modern flight rules allow wifi throughout the entire flight, even takeoff/landing, and presumably there's no special restriction on Bluetooth. You can turn both of those on after activating Airplane Mode.
https://youtu.be/sdXp6qLSoTE
I can imagine this feature being useful in emergencies.