Pax Briefing

[Guest Prometheus]

G'day all,

 

just wondering if I could get some feedback on the types of Pax Briefings different pilots give.

 

I've yet to hear a standard one and would be interested if RAA has a preferred Pax Breifing & Safety Briefing.

 

Cheers all....

 

 

[Guest Leonardo]

Well, there's this one originally from the German Ultralight Association

 

Alles passengers und non-technischen looken peepers!

 

Das luftenkontrol is nicht for gefengerpoken und mittengrabben.

 

Oderwise is easy schnappen der springenverk, blowenfus,

 

undpoppencorken mit spitzensparken in der cockpit.

 

Der Flugzeug is diggen by experten only.

 

Is nicht fur geverken by das dumpkopfen.

 

Das rubber necken sightseenen keepen das cotton-picken

 

hands in das pockets.

 

So relaxen, und vatchen das blinkenlights.

 

HTH, Leonardo ;)

 

 

[PaulN]

That's a classic Leonard, I've just gotta learn that one.

[Guest Prometheus]

That'll show me for asking a serious question.....

 

 

 

[River]

Now that's an ace!

 

Well done...

 

Rodger

 

 

[PaulN]

OK Dave, let's get serious, and hopefully helpful.

 

In my

 

short, but very satisfying flying experience, I have had the pleasure

 

of taking lots of peopleup to share the joy of flight in the CT, from

 

5 y/o grandkids to an 87 y/o, all of whom have been orwant to go again.

 

I'm

 

not aware of a set standard pax briefing but have found variants of the

 

following adequate. I'm a bit reluctant to put this in print as I guess

 

someone will find fault with it, but what the heck, I just might learn

 

something.

 

I try to convey three thingsto mypassenger ...

 

awareness of their environment, considerations for their safety, and

 

experiences that willfoster happy memories.Of course this will vary

 

depending on the passenger maturity and interest level. Importantly,

 

choose a calm day for your passengers first flight. My wife now has

 

about 60 hours up there with me and she still gets very nervous with

 

just the slightest bumpy air.

 

First up,brief your passenger not to smoke near or in the a/c (and/or hangar), to avoid wandering off on airside esp if other a/c are in the vicinity and to not interrupt you during pre-flights.

 

Before Boarding-

 

After usual pre-flightswe take a brief look around during which I

 

encourage questions and explain in simple terms features and funtions

 

of the plane. We then talk about thekinds of feelings, sounds and

 

views they will experience up thereduring which I ask abouttheir

 

inclination to travel sickness or acrophobia. About now I try to put

 

them at ease about the safety of flight assuring them that I'll be up

 

there with them and plan to come home safely too.

 

Boarding

 

- When ready to board, from outside the plane I help them into the

 

seat, secure their harness, make sure they're comfortable and can see

 

out OK, demonstrate the door release and ventilation control, and

 

stress the importance of not interferring with (or bumping) the controls.

 

Pre-Start-

 

When I'm on board, if theyhave an interest, I describe the various

 

instruments and controls along with their functions.I explain the use

 

of headsets, we fit them and I switch on the i/com to demonstrate their

 

use and assureour clear communication with each other. I explain how

 

we will hearotherson theradioand that they should "go quiet" at

 

these times so that I can hear the incoming calls. Also, from time to

 

time I will be calling out and will warn them in advance.

 

Start Up - I tell mypassenger that the engine is about to fire up and then explain the various checks (magneto, etc) as I do them.

 

Pre-Taxi Roll - Itell them to let me know any time they feel uncomfortable, nervous or sick during the flight and we'll return immediately.

 

Taxi - I explain what the ground procedures are and where we are going for our flight.

 

Line Up

 

- Check the passenger is relaxed, secure and comfortable. Explain the

 

take off routine, what to expect when airborn and again ask them to let

 

me know if they get uneasy.

 

Airborn - I have

 

found that most passengers, esp on first flight, feel much more at ease

 

if they know what you're going to do next before you do it (like bank, power back, etc). Also, it's good value to point out ground features for them to locate and/or ask them to let you know when you reach 2000 ft (or whatever) to get a "feel" for the instruments and for the interest.

 

Returning

 

- See who can spot the airfield first. Make sure they are secure and

 

comfortable and explain what to expect when joining circuit and on

 

final. To keep them occupied ask them to help look-out for other

 

traffic.

 

Landing -Again, talk through what your're doing to help them stay at ease ... they like to think we know what we're doing.

 

Shut Down - Join in their pleasure and reinforce just how safe flight really is, now that they have experienced it.

 

Sorry if this is too wordy, but just wanted to share the way I do things.

 

Paul

 

 

[Guest Prometheus]

Paul,

 

thanks

 

, That's exactly what I'm after. Nice and relaxed. All the hours of GA

 

I've done and the PAX breifing we were taught to give was prety cut and

 

dry. Along the lines of "This is what I'm doing... But I'll do this if

 

it fails...." type of thing. Not very comforting! Thanks again - I'll

 

use it!

 

 

Dave.

 

 

[greggf]

I guess "Sit down and shut up." is a bit blunt.

 

Well... I have to be able to move the stick to full lateral, don't I?

 

Actually

 

I endorse Paul's briefing 100%, with the extension that I do go a bit

 

into the safety issues. Ie, I inform the passenger that:

 

Should

 

I have a problem while the aircraft is still on the ground, I will stop

 

straight ahead, and they should be ready to unbuckle, exit, and move

 

away from the aircraft if requested.

 

After take-off, and until we get to 400 feet, in the event of a severe problem I shall land (nearly) straight ahead and they should "cover up" if I warn them to do so.

 

After 400 feet, in the event of any severe problem, I shall return to the field or to the safest landing area I can access.

 

I then stress the extreme unlikeliness of any such problems, but reassure the passenger that it is better to "be prepared".

 

Interestingly,

 

my passengers have all appreciated the frank approach, rather than any

 

false bravado. And I have no shortage of requests for repeat trips.

 

Gregg