>>> now to the latest skirmish in the battle over electronic devices on airplanes. and what some passengers are seeing as a kind of a double standard here. now that we have learned pilots will be allowed to use ipads in the cockpit. our report from nbc's tom costello.
>> reporter: for pilots, the new ipad flight bag will replace those 45-pound briefcases stuffed with paper versions of constantly changing flight manuals, navigational charts and airport layouts.
>> that's frankfurt airport .
>> reporter: the f.a.a. says these ipads and applications have been proven safe for the cockpit but the f.a.a. demands that the wifi internet connection must remain off.
>> we have been testing now for six months with literally no issue.
>> reporter: it was just a week ago that american airlines kicked alec baldwin off a flight for refusing to turn off his iphone before takeoff, something he was playing up on "saturday night live."
>> don't phones interfere with the plane's communication system ?
>> oh, you don't believe that, do you, seth?
>> reporter: we asked boeing's senior engineer dave carson. how can a pilot be used on the flight deck but not in the cabin?
>> it's a good question. i can understand why people would ask it. that ipad, tablet or computer is in the control of the airline. they maintain it. they assure if something goes wrong wit, it's fixed.
>> reporter: the f.a.a. prohibits electronic devices below 10,000 feet because those are the most critical moments for an aircraft, takeoff and landing when the pilot has little time to react if interference were to disrupt navigational equipment. while a modern aircraft may be able to tolerate a handful of electronics what if dozens were left on or perhaps?
>> nobody in the industry has tested the effects of, say, 200 cell phones on at one time.
>> reporter: despite skepticism the f.a.a. says they must remain off for now, erring on the side of caution. tom costello, nbc news, washington.
Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/45676173/
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