New Passengers

[Turnerj]

Does anybody have any tips for taking a new passenger who is Brand New to the whole aviation thing? I was curious as to what tends too scare them / what calms there nerves.

 

I am getting very close to mypax endorsment now and a few relatives have asked when I will take them for a fly.

 

James

 

 

[facthunter]

passenger briefing.

 

Someone may be able to direct you to a previous thread where this was discussed at some length. The title I have used may work. You are obligated to cover safety aspects as a duty of care. Things like keeping clear of controls, seat belt fitted and adjusted and exiting the aircraft in an emergency.etc. Making them as relaxed as possible is a more complex tank as everyone is different, and you cannot accurately predict their reactions. Could be anything from being "as cool as" to grabbing the pole, or wanting to jump out of the plane, (or just yelling "get me down, get me down".). You should have airsickness bags available. Some people can get nausea very quickly and you don't want that smell all over the place or you might even succumb to a quick bout of chucks yourself. Your job is to calm them so they enjoy the experience. Don't make it too complex or you will make them even more apprehensive. Fly as smoothly as possible, don't bank too much and don't take people up for the first time on a choppy day. Good luck. Nev

 

 

[Tomo]

Here's a few I found:

 

Pax Briefing

 

Passenger Endorsement

 

Do you give your passengers a brief in case of emergency?

 

Age of Pax

 

 

[Guest drizzt1978]

Ok the basics my instructor went over.

 

Keep it simple.

 

Let them do the pre flight If they are interested.

 

If they are nervous say "Any time you arent haveing fun, tell me, and we will come staight back and land"

 

Never mention nausea or sick!! (as soon as they hear it they feel it!!)

 

Show them how to get in and out.

 

Make sure they understand not to touch the controls.

 

Say check lists out loud, explain to them what you are doing, ie, we just have to stop here for a minute to do more checks. OR, ok im just gunna turn left.. etc etc

 

Keep the turns gentle at first (no 90 degree descending turns!!! untill they are keen!!!!

 

Basically the more profesional you seem the more confidence they have.

 

Thats about it from memory!!!!

 

 

[Mick]

James,

 

I enjoy the look on a firmly strapped in passengers face when AFTER starting up, I then fasten my harness and tell them " Well since it did'nt burst into flames I guess it is safe to strap in now!!!":confused:;)

 

The reality of this is that when I am strapped in as tightly as I like to be, I find it awkard to reach the starter button in the Skylark.

 

Now before I flamed with comments of "what if I have to do an in-flight restart", please note I said it is awkward not impossible and I am sure with the adrelaline burst I would have taken if this happens I am sure I would reach that button easily.

 

Cheers

 

Mick

 

 

[hihosland]

Drizzt did say

 

"Let them do the pre flight If they are interested."

 

Which is, I would argue, not necessarily a good idea. There are very good reasons why the airlines maintain a sterile cockpit during the critical phases of the flight. A couple of questions from the passenger and you could very easily get distracted and leave the tow bar attached or the pitot cover on.

 

Them's my thoughts

 

Davidh

 

 

[Deskpilot]

When people are scared, they usually want to hold onto something so I always tell them to grab their seat-belt just below the shoulder. That keeps their hands off the stick and I can see the movement out the corner of my eye. They can also hitch themselves up slightly if they really, really want to themselves. LOL

 

 

[Guest drizzt1978]

Drizzt did say"Let them do the pre flight If they are interested."

Which is, I would argue, not necessarily a good idea. There are very good reasons why the airlines maintain a sterile cockpit during the critical phases of the flight. A couple of questions from the passenger and you could very easily get distracted and leave the tow bar attached or the pitot cover on.

 

Them's my thoughts

 

Davidh

Let me clarify this: They can stand and watch you do it, It helps to build there confidence. I didnt mean they should do a fuel drain!! or anything of that like...

 

It doesnt worry me haveing someone watch me. I had about 20 peaople watch me one day when there was a family watching a relative skydive...I knew one of them, next thing they are all watching me!

 

 

[Tomo]

I had about 20 peaople watch me one day when there was a family watching a relative skydive...I knew one of them, next thing they are all watching me!

You get used to people watching you when your in the mechanical business...! few times we've had to fix broken down buses and coaches, you've got about 45-50 people all standing there watching then, some with video camera's ...!

 

 

[bilby54]

I make sure that a pax with a camera, especially a video camera, keep their dainty clod hoppers well clear of the rudder pedals.

 

They can accidentally stand on a pedal while taking a shot and if it is in a critical phase of flight then it can quickly detract from the whole experience while you are spiralling into the ground!!

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

After the prev "passenger brief" thread I put together a passenger safety brief card, and have used it a few times since. And a couple of times with first time flyers. I have flown hundreds of rides over the years, and I think giving them a nice friendly pre-flight brief does definately relax them quite a bit, and makes the overall flight experience more enjoyable for them, and of course safer for me too...............

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!! keep it short, keep it simple, make it fun.....

 

 

[Turnerj]

Thanks guys,

 

The breifing card is a good idea. i guess for the same reasons the airliners have that aswell as the demo.