Can a child still visit the cockpit during flight?
As a kid one of the highlights of any flight I took was the short visit to the cockpit and chat with the pilots. I have very fond memories of asking about all the gauges and lights, what would happen if you pull the lever, or the breathtaking view you had from the flight deck. I always had the impression the pilots liked the visit and the admiration from the visitors that came with it.
Given the new rules and the steel enforced doors, I have the impression that this is something of the past. Is this true, or is it still possible to have my kids have the same treat as I had as a kid?
Best Answer
Officially: Unfortunately, it is not allowed for any passenger regardless of age to be admitted to the flight deck. This is according to the FAA (USA) and to the EASA (EU), as seen in:
- EASA (CAT.GEN.MPA.135)
- FAA (§121.547, §129.28)
Most of the world follow the above organizations, either directly or by implementing similar operating procedures and policies, I am not aware of any civil aviation authority that allows passengers to visit the flight deck.
Anyway, reality is a bit different as usual. Out of personal experience as a cabin crew member, here are few tips that could help you in getting your children or even yourself to the cockpit:
Ask a cabin crew member with a smile, while presenting your business card, to ask the captain for you if he will allow your child to go inside the cockpit. The cabin crew member will go to the cockpit and deliver the message to the captain. The captain might let your child in, asking to let child in has better chances than asking for yourself as an adult. If the captain refused, usually he will tell you through the cabin crew that you are welcomed on ground prior to leaving the aircraft.
Captains in long flights usually take a walk around in the cabin to stretch their legs or when the other set of cockpit crew (in case of double crew) are flying. Once you see him/her introduce yourself and your children to him, ask him nicely that the kids want to see the cockpit. Most likely in this case he will agree. You just need some luck.
PS: I once around 2005 or 2006 was a passenger on a flight (different airline, not the one I work for) and I saw the captain in the aisle and we had a little chat. I ended up in the cockpit having a cigarette with him :)
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Can passengers go into the cockpit?
While pilots love to talk about what they love, passenger access to the cockpit comes with some restrictions for safety reasons. "If it's a two-pilot aircraft, a passenger should never be allowed to sit in one of those seats," said Bob Conyers, director of safety for Global Aerospace.Can the cockpit be opened during flight?
A pilot's job extends to more than merely flying the plane Along with this, keeping the door open allows the Captain to monitor the boarding procedure. Additionally, many ground staff members are also meant to keep in continuous contact with the pilot.Can flight attendants see your age?
Most attendants are not only aware that it's your birthday but also what age you're turning, too. For instance, The Sun says that JetBlue attendants are equipped with a tablet showing the layout of the plane and details of each passenger.Can a non pilot sit in the cockpit?
Yes, friends & family can sit up front with you in a light aircraft. It is your responsibility as PIC to brief the passenger regarding the controls - which anyone not used to a light aircraft may not be familiar with - the last thing you want is them pushing the yoke forward at the wrong time.A New Pilot Makes His First Ever Flight With Passengers! | EasyJet: Inside The Cockpit | ITV
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Answer 2
"It depends". There are attempts to strictly limit the access to the cockpit. The rules differ however from country to country. There are reports that people are still admitted to the cockpit during flight. According to the FAA regulations, it's not allowed. THE UK is said to have very strict rules, too.
I could not find any explicit rules that it is allowed to admit passengers to the cockpit during flight, but given the huge number of airlines globally I can imagine that there is quite a big difference how they each treat this issue.
But what the rules and what the actual events are is differing as you can imagine. I was myself sitting in the cockpit as a kid during the start of an airplane in the 80s where this was prohibited already.
Answer 3
You can still go in the cockpit. I know this for a fact because my kids went inside a Southwest 737 cockpit last year, when one of the flight attendants took notice of their interest in airplanes.
However, this was on the ground, before takeoff.
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