Perhaps, it merely interfered with the "sensor" electronics, not the true
magnetic field that was being sensed.
- Robert -
Robert A. Macy, PE m...@california.com
408 286 3985 fx 408 297 9121
AJM International Electronics Consultants
619 North First St, San Jose, CA 95112
-----Original Message-----
From: Pettit, Ghery <ghery.pet...@intel.com>
To: 'James Collum' <james.col...@usa.alcatel.com>;
emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org <emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org>
Date: Thursday, January 03, 2002 11:46 AM
Subject: RE: EMC-related safety issues
I still have a hard time believing it was a compass that was affected by
a laptop computer. ADF indication, could be. VOR, maybe. Magnetic
compass? I wouldn't want a magnetic source that strong in my lap! My belt
buckle would be stuck to it. There is quite a distance between a magnetic
compass in the cockpit of an airliner and anything a passenger is carrying.
Not so in a Cessna 172, but in a DC-10?
Ghery Pettit
-----Original Message-----
From: James Collum [mailto:james.col...@usa.alcatel.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 10:47 AM
To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
Subject: Re: EMC-related safety issues
*********
A routine flight over Dallas-Fort Worth was disrupted when one of
the compasses suddenly shifted 10 degrees to the right. The pilot asked if
any passenger was operating an electronic device, and finding that a laptop
computer had just been turned on requested that it be turned off, whereupon
the compass returned to normal. Following RTCA guidelines the pilot
requested that the laptop be turned on again 10 minutes later, when the
compass error returned.
Ref: Compliance Engineering (European edition) Nov/Dec 1996 p12
*********
I am fascinated by this amazing story (which must surely be an urban
myth) and went in search of more info on the internet.
I had never heard of the RTCA ( a private corporation) before, but
noticed via their web site that you have to be a member company (i.e. pay)
to receive the wisdom that it contains. Aviation is merely a hobby of mine
but I'm interested in reading a copy of the RTCA's DO-233/214 and 196
documents without shelling out hundreds for the privilege, can anyone
advise? Also does anyone know what recommendations have they made to
modifying FAR 91.21 (as per their web site).
In reading this again, I'm curious as to how the pilot would have known
about a private companies convoluted guideline for fault finding on errant
radio direction equipment involving locating industrious passengers and
commandeering their computers at 10 minute intervals.
Surely he would have done what any professional engineer would do, beat
or kick the 10 degree error out of the RDF equipment?
Or maybe just wonder to him/herself about how strange things happen in
the Dallas Fort Worth area?
Tounge in cheek, my comments and not those of my employer etc.
Jim
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