Santa Barbara 39° F  Texting and flying: Rules for pilots  By By
Thom Patterson CNN Published On: Apr 10 2013 03:32:43 PM CDT
Updated On: Apr 11 2013 11:24:50 AM CDT   (CNN) -  A helicopter
runs out of fuel midair after its pilot was evidently flying
with one hand and texting with another. The chopper crashes,
killing everyone on board. It sounds incredible, but it's true.
We live in a multitasking society. That's a reality. Now some
experts wonder whether that reality is clashing with the safe
operation of our nation's aircraft.  Distraction in the cockpit
was a key element of testimony delivered Tuesday on a deadly
2011 medivac helicopter crash. The pilot was violating Federal
Aviation Administration rules and company policy by using his
phone in flight. Yet in some cases, the use of other types of
personal electronic devices in the cockpit is still allowed.
But that may be changing.  Experts and officials say a total ban
on using personal electronic devices in the cockpit is needed.
"You can't multitask