Flight with passengers: Safety briefing

Flying with passengers and showing them the world from the air is fun. However, there are a few safety points that need to be considered. A pilot has a great responsibility towards passengers, and not just a legal one. Passengers place their trust in a pilot, whom they must assume is skilled at their job. As a result, passenger flights require a little more preparation than a “normal” flight. What should I wear for a flight in a motorized aircraft, glider, or helicopter? How do I fasten my seatbelt? How do I open the aircraft door? Can I talk to the pilot during the flight? These are just some of the questions your passengers may ask before a flight. Never assume that they know all this already. A good PAX briefing is part of every flight preparation.

Flight preparation – best done alone

Due to the considerable potential for distraction before and during a flight, it is advisable to carry out the outside check and flight preparation alone. Don’t forget to bring sick bags, seat cushions and, depending on your flight plans, life jackets and sufficient oxygen if you are going into the mountains or above 9000 ft. Even cool guys or tough girls may lose their composure on their first flight. Not having solid ground under your feet is a fundamentally new experience that can cause stress. People react differently to this. Some are quiet, while others talk incessantly. The latter can impair the PIC’s concentration, depending on the situation. The better you inform your guests about the flight and how to behave on board, the fewer surprises there will be. Therefore, inform your passengers about the flight route, the expected weather and any turbulence in the air, as well as communication on board. Before take-off, send everyone to the toilet again.

Passenger briefing – orientation and involvement

There are critical phases during a flight, especially during takeoff and when preparing for landing. Therefore, “communication on board” should be clearly regulated in advance. Agree on a rule of silence below 1000 ft and a sign (raised hand) for quiet in the cockpit. During the flight, however, it is advisable to involve the passengers in observing the airspace. Any uncertainties or anomalies – especially other aircraft – should be reported to the pilot. For people boarding an aircraft for the first time, it is particularly important to demonstrate how to use the headset and explain how the aircraft is controlled. Emphasize that controls should not be obstructed and cockpit instruments should not be touched. Finally, make your passengers aware of unplanned situations (emergency landing, fire, ditching). Show them the fire extinguisher and fire blanket and explain how to use them. If necessary, explain how to use life jackets and the overall rescue system and tell them what you and your passengers should do in the event of an emergency landing.

As a guide for the PAX briefing, we provide you with a corresponding safety checklist as a .pdf file.

We wish you a good flight and happy landings!

Safety first, every flight, every time.