Reader Dave Boulton says that Microsoft gets it wrong about SPOT watches and flying:
The Microsoft service agreement does say they have to be turned off, but this is misleading. The watch is not limited by the FCC rules banning cell phones on planes. It is only subject to the FAA regulations regarding electronic devices. This means you will only have to turn off the watch until you are at cruising altitude. (In practice, I doubt the air crew would notice if you “forgot”, but that’s another question entirely).
The MS service agreement was either written by someone who is confused about the regulations (which is very common), or a lawyer who is trying to be overprotective. Microsoft may want you to leave the watch off for other reasons (moving between FM radio data cells might not work without a reset, for example), but the FAA will not treat a SPOT watch any different than an FM radio.
I have feeling this isn’t the last we’re going to hear on this subject.
