Rules for Electronic Devices on Airplanes Look Likely to Change

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BRADENTON — Rules on electronic devices on airplanes might be changing in the near future. The Federal Aviation Administration has been looking at the regulations for some time and change seems inevitable. This week, an F.A.A. advisory panel will meet to complete its recommendations to relax most of the restrictions.

The new guidelines are expected to allow e-books, podcasts and videos according to several reports during take off and landing. The ban on cell phones, along with sending and receiving e-mails and text messages or using Wi-Fi, will almost certainly remain in place.

The advisory panel will make its new policy recommendations to the F.A.A. by the end of the month. Changes would most likely go into effect in 2014.