In what year did the FCC first ban cell phone use on airplanes? (Source?)

The FCC hasn't "banned" the use of cellular telephones aboard aircraft. You can use a cellular telephone on board any aircraft, as long as the aircraft is on the ground.

Folks (myself included) have used cell phones while an airliner is taxiing into position for take-off, and have started using their cell phones, as soon as the wheels are felt touching down, upon landing.

One reason the FCC doesn't (and the airlines don't) have to worry about cell phone use aboard an airborne aircraft, is because the cell phones will not work after a certain altitude has been achieved.

On a long flight that I once had, I asked a flight attendant why I couldn't use my cell phone aboard the flight. She said, "Go ahead and turn your cell phone on, and try to make a call. You have my permission."

I turned on my cell phone (the aircraft was at 35,000 feet above sea level) and it powered up. I looked at the display and it read, "NO SIGNAL."

The FA explained that, "In order for a cell phone to work, the aircraft would have to be near a microwave antenna, and if you look out the windows, you won't find any floating among the clouds out there."

Because it is impossible to place or receive cellular telephone calls aboard airborne airliner aircraft, it isn't necessary to "ban" them.

Also, cellular telephones CAN be used aboard private aircraft, such as "corporate jets" and private planes owned by individuals and families, or by those who fly "Egg-Beaters" (Helicopters).

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