Open cockpit doors and smoking
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at 04:20 by IanFromHKG.
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MartynSinclairParticipantWhat are the rules re open cockpit doors and smoking in flight for commerical sceduled flights. Are the rules created by company policy, ops or by statute.
I know when flying in FAA airspace, rules exist that crews must adhere to, but bearing in mind my recent exploits with Eqypt Air, the question does arise can the pilots choose to leave the flight deck door open, outside FAA airpsce and if they were smoking were they breaking any international laws.
Corporate Aviation still has smokers and open cockpit doors.
17 May 2012
at 08:38
FormerlyDoSParticipantMartyn
I’m not an expert, but as I understand it, the airlines comply with state legislation re sterile flight deck.
Example, Air Malta must fly with a closed door in UK airspace, but as soon as they leave it, it is captain’s discretion who s/he lets into the office.
Re smoking, I dunno – never seen what you saw on Egyptair (but am not doubting your experience.)
17 May 2012
at 08:57
JordanDParticipantI was under the impression that it comes down to home regulator.
The example I cite (because I’ve asked the question) is based on mobile phone usage: CAA don’t let British airlines let their passengers use phones from push gate-to-gate, whereas Qantas or Cathay Pacific (who are not governed by the CAA) can let their passengers use mobile phones once the active runway is cleared, because that is permissible with their respective home nation regulator.
Hope that is helpful, Martyn.
17 May 2012
at 09:14
HaxbyCliveParticipantNote to self : avoid Quantas and Cathay Pacific. One of Dante’s layers of hell was a long-haul flight beside someone with a mobile phone
17 May 2012
at 10:46
FormerlyDoSParticipantJordan
It is definitely not always the home regulator, as the UK CAA insist that the flight deck door must be locked in UK airspace and the capt, does not have discretion to let visitors in, when in UK airspace, even if the home regulator approves this.
But you are probably right in general terms.
17 May 2012
at 12:23
MartynSinclairParticipantI know in USA airpsace locked flight deck doors is mandated by statute. In UK airspace, I am not sure whether it is down to airline ops procedures or statute. Even if a corporate jet has a door, it does not have to be locked.
In US airpspace unecerssary chit chat between pilots below 10,000′ can cause issues with the FAA.
Becky, with regards to smoking in Cairo, yes you can smoke in the terminal and yes I thought about this before I mentioned to the flight crew during the CAI-LHR sector. It was too strong to have been coming from clothing + my comments were acknowledged by another member of flight crew with a cursory glance forward of the galley.
17 May 2012
at 18:12
LuganoPirateParticipantDid someone mention cigars? Yes please and a G & T to go with it please;-). Ahhhh, those were the days!!!!!
It really must have been years since I last smelt smoke of a plane and I can’t remember when was the last time I saw the flight deck door open! I must have flown at least 25 airlines in that time over many different routes.
17 May 2012
at 21:59
VintageKrugParticipantI am having nightmares about the smoking room on the QM2.
I like cigars, but that was just not worth it. Eurgh.
17 May 2012
at 22:13
AnthonyDunnParticipant@ LuganoPirate – 17/05/2012 21:59 GMT
This wasn’t by any chance in a Sunderland flying boat operated by Imperial Airways with proper waiters dressed in a white tux by any chance… Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire and do you have yours shaken or stirred? 🙂
18 May 2012
at 00:33
LuganoPirateParticipantMany years ago Martyn, though I’m tempted to try them again as the boys would live to see the Pyramids.
I agree VK, small, cramped and airless. We ended up well wrapped on the deck and enjoyed our after dinner cigars there. A bit bracing as it was November but very enjoyable just the same.
Becky, I’m still enjoying my cigars, had a delightful Cohiba last night with friends in Italy while sharing some amazing red wine.
18 May 2012
at 05:06 -
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