Abstract: A system and method for selectively enabling and disabling wireless connectivity between cellular or PDA users on-board commercial aircraft having a shielded fuselage, and remotely located wireless access points, while the aircraft is at an airport or airfield. The system and method does not require access to an on-board LAN system of the aircraft. The system includes one or more antennae disposed in the cabin area of the aircraft that are coupled via an RF switch with an exterior antenna mounted on an exterior of the fuselage. The RF switch is controlled by a switch control subsystem, and enables or disables communication between the interior antennae and the exterior antenna. The exterior antenna is connected to the switch via a conductor that extends through the shielding of the aircraft. When the RF switch is in the closed position, cellular or PDA users can connect through the interior antennae and the exterior antenna directly to remotely located wireless access points.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling the use of wireless personal electronic devices (PEDs), for example cellular devices, on board an aircraft during various phases of operation of the aircraft. The system uses a picocell associated with an on-board cellular system to detect all cellular devices that are turned on while they are inside the aircraft. Those cellular devices that are operating during restricted phases of flight where the use of cellular devices is not permitted are reported to a cellular monitoring/control system and logged into a blacklisted cellular devices file. Any device being logged in the blacklisted cellular devices file is thereafter prevented from using the on-board cellular system during those phases of flight where such use would otherwise be permitted.