Authorities say safety will not be compromised now that airline passengers can keep their devices switched on during take-off and landing.

Australian airline passengers can enjoy expanded use of electronic devices on domestic flights from tomorrow, after the Civil Aviation Safety Authority signed-off on submissions from Qantas and Virgin Australia allowing the gate to gate use of electronics.

The air companies had been pushing for more relaxed rules to enhance their “in-flight experience”, and to keep step with international air travel laws.

Qantas Domestic says it has conducted rigorous testing to find potential impacts of electronic devices on the safe operation of aircraft.

Company engineers say devices could be used freely during boarding the aircraft or crossing the tarmac, but they would still need to be in flight-mode for takeoff.

Meanwhile, an Australian air safety issue of a different sort this week, with reports that an 82-year-old passenger tried to take control of a light aircraft in NSW.

The passenger chartered a flight from Bankstown to Cowra on Monday, during which he wrestled for control of the plane and even tried to shut down its engines.

A 23-year-old pilot was involved in a light scuffle with the passenger before he could be restrained and an emergency landing performed in a paddock near the town of Oberon.

The pilot and passenger were taken to separate hospitals with minor injuries and police are investigating the event.