Por que os barbeadores elétricos são especificamente permitidos pelo FAR §91.21

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Por que os barbeadores elétricos são especificamente permitidos pelo FAR §91.21

#1 resposta do (28 votos)

25

This struck me as a bit strange, 91.21 which covers electronic devices that can be used during IFR flight has some exceptions, one through three make logical sense (not really sure why portable voice recorders are in there though) but number 4, Electric Shavers, is specifically permitted by the regulation. Are that many people shaving under IFR conditions that this needed to be permitted? Is there some historical or practical reason why electric shavers are specifically named in this regulation?

§ 91.21 Portable electronic devices.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate, nor may any operator or pilot in command of an aircraft allow the operation of, any portable electronic device on any of the following U.S.-registered civil aircraft:

(1)Aircraft operated by a holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate; or

(2) Any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR.

(b)Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to -

(1) Portable voice recorders;

(2) Hearing aids;

(3) Heart pacemakers;

(4) Electric shavers; or

(5) Any other portable electronic device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system of the aircraft on which it is to be used.

far-91 regulamentos faa regulamentos história da aviação

por Dave 15.08.2019 / 16:49

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score 28 · Answer 1

This is an educated guess, based on history:

Electric razors were once well known as prone to generating elctromagnetic interference -- the ones available in the 1940s could pretty well blanket a nearby AM broadcast radio receiver.

However, in similar time frames, it was very important for oxygen masks to fit closely on the face, and beard stubble, besides being reportedly very uncomfortable, would compromise the seal (either increasing consumption from the limited store of oxygen available for high altitude flight, or risking hypoxia for the wearer). Therefore, on long flights, it wasn't at all uncommon for aircrew to shave one or more times before getting where they were going.

As noted in comments, shaving with a blade razor (even the safety razors available when this regulation has its roots) was a bit hazardous in an airplane that might, without any warning, encounter turbulence that could literally knock someone out of their seat if not belted in place. Wind-up rotary razors existed before 1950, but they were rare, relatively delicate, and expensive. Electric razors that ran on 115 V were available before 1940 and, with care, would do a good enough job to let an oxygen mask seal well (rechargeable types didn't appear until the late 1950s).

The regulation, then, is to recognize that even with the potential radio interference, an electric razor was specifically to be permitted during flight.