The clean cockpit strategy

Clean and clean
This is not a post about cockpit cleaning, as I naively hope that any pilots is careful enough not to leave a cockpit dirty after a flight. It is more about the need and way to create good cockpit conditions during the flight.

No argues
The last place where you want an argument to take place is in a cockpit. Whatever the kind of operation, be it single pilot VFR or commercial multi-pilot in solid IFR conditions, any argument does increase the risks dramatically.

This is obviously not the unique factor leading to increased risk. In critical phases of flight (yes, take-off and landing… good guess), any distraction could impair the safety of the airplane and its occupants.

In commercial operation, the crews do establish what is called a “sterile cockpit” for those phases. This includes a closed cockpit door, a restricted number of tasks to be carried, and strict procedures. Even the cabin crew is not allowed to pop in the cockpit during these phases.

Distractions on board
Applying the sterile cockpit strategy in light aircrafts is not as easy as we have no cockpit door, and are usually both flight crew and cabin crew. The biggest distraction is often coming from passengers, and as they are may be paying their share, you can to take care of them.

Nevertheless, as a safe pilot, you have to explain to your passengers that take-off and landing do require all of your attention, and that they should not talk to you at these times, except obviously if they see something critical, like a major fuel leak, smoke, or so.

If your plane is equipped with a modern intercom, it probably includes an “isolated” position. Setting it will have you isolated in a channel with ATC, and your passengers will be able to discuss but you won’t hear them. It could be a good idea to use it at critical times.

The best moment to pass the message about your need for a quiet cockpit during take off and landing to your passengers is during the pre-flight briefing, after all the safety information you give them.

Self distraction
As I mentioned above, a sterile cockpit also means that the number of tasks to be carried on by the flight crew is reduced to its minimum. Don’t distract yourself from flying a proper take-off or approach for non-priority things.

A typical example is forgetting to tune the next frequency in the stand-by window. If you’re on short final and don’t have the ground frequency on stand-by, it’s certainly not the time to tune it. Land, control your speed, vacate runway. Then you will have a more appropriate time to set your frequency. Ok, you will may be a bit slower to switch, but you won’t jeopardize your landing for that.

It’s always surprising to see how much pilots can be disturbing themselves with non critical things. I even saw once someone looking frenetically for a ground chart while on short final !

Clean it before and after
So if you want to be a good pilot, clean your cockpit before critical flight phases. And if you’re a rental pilot, or part owner, clean it also after your flight, the next pilot will appreciate !