Ask a CFI - passenger briefings : Flight Training Central

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What should be included in a passenger briefing?

CFI in cockpit

Conspicuously absent from most aircraft checklists, is how to conduct a passenger briefing. But to meet your legal obligation, and create the right expectations for your passenger to ensure a positive experience, the passenger briefing is a must. The legal obligation for a passenger briefing is described in 14 CFR 91.107 which states that the PIC must brief the passengers on how to fasten and unfasten the seat belt and should harness and notification of when the belts must be fastened.

But what about comfort items, emergencies or sterile cockpit expectations? A helpful acronym for your passenger briefing is SAFETY.

S – Seat Belts – seat belts and should harnesses fastened for taxi, takeoff and landing and preferably at all times.

A – Air vents – how to operate air flow…especially important for those prone to motion sickness.

F – fire extinguisher or other emergency equipment…how to locate and operate if necessary.

E – emergency exits…how to use and when and also places to avoid if you have to exit (i.e. propeller area).

T – traffic…it always is beneficial and enjoyable to involve the passengers in spotting other air traffic

Y – your questions…give the passenger an opportunity to pose any questions.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now serves as Chief Instructor at Sporty's Academy and directs the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Training Program. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.