Tweet
In-flight entertainment has come a long way since passengers craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the flickering films shown in 1980s aircraft.
Today's passengers expect on-demand video systems, telephones and even broadband Internet access.
Unfortunately, that's not all they can do. The technology used by the new generation of aircraft is now so advanced that aviation officials fear that terrorists could use it to fly the plane.
Aviation regulators have refused to certify Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet until it redesigns its computer system to protect against such an event, The Times has learned.
The Federal Aviation Authority is concerned that terrorists could use the Dreamliner's in-flight Internet system to connect to "systems critical to the safety and maintenance of the aircraft."
In a report released last week, the FAA said that Boeing had left the pilots' computers open to attack by connecting the Dreamliner's entertainment system to the pilots' controls.
A hacker with a computer and some IT training potentially could hijack the system from his seat.
Today's passengers expect on-demand video systems, telephones and even broadband Internet access.
Unfortunately, that's not all they can do. The technology used by the new generation of aircraft is now so advanced that aviation officials fear that terrorists could use it to fly the plane.
Aviation regulators have refused to certify Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet until it redesigns its computer system to protect against such an event, The Times has learned.
The Federal Aviation Authority is concerned that terrorists could use the Dreamliner's in-flight Internet system to connect to "systems critical to the safety and maintenance of the aircraft."
In a report released last week, the FAA said that Boeing had left the pilots' computers open to attack by connecting the Dreamliner's entertainment system to the pilots' controls.
A hacker with a computer and some IT training potentially could hijack the system from his seat.
Comment