Yes, you can use the GPS on your smartphone or tablet while flying, but there are some technical and practical limitations. GPS is a "receive-only" technology, meaning your phone does not transmit any signals to the satellites; it simply listens for signals they send down. Because it doesn't transmit, it does not interfere with the aircraft's navigation systems and is perfectly safe to use even when your device is in Airplane Mode. However, for GPS to work, your device needs a clear line-of-sight to the sky. Inside a metal tube traveling at 500 mph, this can be difficult. The best way to get a signal is to sit in a window seat and hold your device near the glass for a minute or two until it "locks" onto the satellites. To see where you are on a map, you must download offline maps (via Google Maps or a similar app) before your flight, as you won't have a data connection to load map details in real-time. Specialized apps like "Flyover Country" are designed specifically for this, using your GPS coordinates to show you points of interest and geological features below you. Just remember that while you can see your own location, features that require an internet connection—like real-time traffic or sharing your location with others—will not function.