Cell phone use on an airplane?

i am flying in july, and will have a verizon motorola q phone. i'm not looking to make calls/send text messages, but the phone has the capability to make word doents and such. i am really hoping to use the alone time to brainstorm for some college application essays, and i will not have my laptop on hand. and i can import the doent on my phone onto my computer when i am home. am i allowed to even turn on the cell phone and do this? and is there a chance i will get service anyway? i heard the dehavilland dash planes (that i am flying on) fly a bit lower than larger planes. i've never tried using a phone before on an airplane, and have no idea if i can do this. sorry if it's a stupid question!