A portable wireless communications adapter includes a wireless antenna and wireless access point electronics configured to communicated wirelessly with a portable electronic device. The portable wireless communications adapter further includes a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, and a location sensing module. The wireless receiver is configured to receive Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) communications over a WAIC frequency range between 4.2 gigahertz (GHz) and 4.4 GHz. The wireless transmitter is configured to send WAIC communications over the WAIC frequency range. The location sensing module is configured to determine a location of the portable wireless communications adapter relative to an interior of an aircraft based on WAIC communications received at the wireless receiver, and selectively enable and disable the wireless transmitter based on the determined location.