Pax Briefing

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....

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 ;)

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

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

Now that's an ace!

Well done...

Rodger

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

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.

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