PED on the flight deck

Xcaliber

Xcaliber

El Chupacabra
After NW188 and now during the NTSB hearing on Colgan 3407, I've been hearing a lot about the use of personal electronic devices in the cockpit. I have a few questions and I'm interested in seeing what the general consensus is on these.

1. Use of cell phones. I don't know how this would affect operations under part 121 (I probably very little), but as a part 91 pilot, I've been in a few different situations where being able to use a cell phone made the difference between getting out of a remote airport or being stuck on the ground. I assume there are similar uses for those flying under 135. Thoughts?

2. Use of portable music players in the cockpit. I've heard both the NTSB and some Congressmen propose banning "personal electronic devices", but only Senator Dorgan (ND) specifically say "mp3 players". Personally, I use my iPod with my Zulu in flight when there isn't a whole lot of communication that needs doing. Like listening to the radio at a desk job, I find it helps keep me sane and actually helps my attentiveness to what I'm doing. If they do pass something that forbids the use of PED in the cockpit, I'd like to see an exception where portable music players could be used whenever sterile cockpit doesn't apply. Thoughts?
 
SIUav8er said:
true professionals dont listen to thier Ipods while flying :sarcasm:
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x2

I'd go crazy without it doing survey. Let me give a quick example. Last project was over Quantico, Va, up in the air for 5hrs straight, flying lines back and forth over the same area, and approach had an airplane once every 25-30 min at best. That's a lot of time spent with nothing on the radio, so yeah the ipod helps time go by much quicker.
 
Part of our Ops Specs at Horizon Air allowed us to use our cell phones after engine start and during the taxi. Some of the airports we flew into had terrible reception and the only way to get a clearance was to call on the ground.

Redding (KRDD)
Santa Rosa (KSTS)
Wentachee (KEAT)

Those are a few I can recall right off the top of my head.

Plus, couldn't an EFB (which Horizon has installed) be a distraction just like a laptop?
 
Safety and distraction issues aside, I think it's a bit weird to sit there and listen to music with a co-worker next to you as you fly along. Not necessarily rude, but sort of like reaching cruise altitude and pulling a curtain across the middle of the cockpit. Sure, they can still talk to you while music is playing but it's just not quite the same.

Now, if the other pilot in a two-man crew is a huge tool in the 'five percent' group, or the type that says absolutely zero words in a four-day trip other than checklists and briefs, I suppose I could understand the temptation to want to hear some tunes in cruise to pass the time but I still would not do it.

Single pilot cockpits, I see no problem whatsoever. There's nobody to converse with and one can still navigate a route and maintain altitude while listening to something.

I must say I was quite disappointed last month while I was flying with someone new to the left seat (he had about 2000TT and 50 hours as PIC, total in 121). Both iPod and newspaper came out on the climb and it was really not a long flight at all, something like 90 minutes takeoff to touchdown. I nearly said, "Am I boring you?" I myself would feel like I'm getting out of my league being that new to the PIC spot at an airline and introducing distractions to myself.
 
Nick said:
Safety and distraction issues aside, I think it's a bit weird to sit there and listen to music with a co-worker next to you as you fly along. Not necessarily rude, but sort of like reaching cruise altitude and pulling a curtain across the middle of the cockpit. Sure, they can still talk to you while music is playing but it's just not quite the same.
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well, after about day 4 or 5 of a trip with the same CA, i can tell you that topics worth discussing became increasingly rare lol. Consider that we would fly all day then hang out at the hotel bar/restaurant at night... theres a point where you just dont have anything to talk about!
 
XcalibeR said:
1. Use of cell phones. I don't know how this would affect operations under part 121 (I probably very little), but as a part 91 pilot, I've been in a few different situations where being able to use a cell phone made the difference between getting out of a remote airport or being stuck on the ground. I assume there are similar uses for those flying under 135. Thoughts?
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Unless ACARS was down, I can't imagine why you would need it. I guess with no data link or company frequency on the ramp, you might need it to call dispatch.

In any case, the NTSB voted against making that a recommendation.
 
I've been enjoying my music through the headset for the past 3 months. I don't feel it distracts me from my duties or being social with the other pilot. As a matter of fact, it seems to keep me more focused when things get busy.

I'd be interested to see results of any research done to determine whether or not music at subtle levels increases or hinders ones alertness during a high workload. Toss in some fatigue for an extra data point.
 
SIUav8er said:
well, after about day 4 or 5 of a trip with the same CA, i can tell you that topics worth discussing became increasingly rare lol. Consider that we would fly all day then hang out at the hotel bar/restaurant at night... theres a point where you just dont have anything to talk about!
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Yes, I know what you mean and been there done that, but crews have been doing this for decades without having to do what some feel like they need to do on every leg now.

It is definitely also a generational thing, and as usual, I find myself siding with my parents generation (or towards the older group at least).
 
drunkenbeagle said:
Unless ACARS was down, I can't imagine why you would need it.
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Got to be able to get a clearance some how. Lots of places op specs won't allow them to take off VFR and then pick up once air born. We can do it, but if I can get a clearance with a void time on the ground through a cell phone link I'd much rather do that.
 
Ive got Martha King explaining holds on my Samsung P3 just in case I get stranded somewhere overnight. One ear bud in, one out and it works just fine.
 
Just as long as they don't ban that easter egg on the FMS that lets you play Centipede.
 
BobDDuck said:
Got to be able to get a clearance some how. Lots of places op specs won't allow them to take off VFR and then pick up once air born. We can do it, but if I can get a clearance with a void time on the ground through a cell phone link I'd much rather do that.
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I'd much rather not having to use "my" phone to do it:). Rather, I won't anymore. But, you get what you pay for!
 
Nick said:
Yes, I know what you mean and been there done that, but crews have been doing this for decades without having to do what some feel like they need to do on every leg now.

It is definitely also a generational thing, and as usual, I find myself siding with my parents generation (or towards the older group at least).
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Crews doing this for decades didn't have the portability we have today. Our parents at best had one of these:
sony-walkman.jpg


You have no idea what you will/will not be doing/using 10 years from now that isn't available to you today.

Besides, I quite enjoy my free USA Today and room temperature muffin first thing in the morning, as I'm sure crews have been doing for decades. If it takes one leg or all legs that day to finish reading it, so be it.

Disclaimers to this post:
-I don't bring my iPod on trips. Whether or not the other person chooses to use it is their business.
-I don't spike my hair. The other person's grooming habits is their business.
-I don't carry a backpack. Those who do I'm sure have a good reason...again not my business.

Get the drift?
 
windowseat said:
Crews doing this for decades didn't have the portability we have today. Our parents at best had one of these:
sony-walkman.jpg


You have no idea what you will/will not be doing/using 10 years from now that isn't available to you today.

Besides, I quite enjoy my free USA Today and room temperature muffin first thing in the morning, as I'm sure crews have been doing for decades. If it takes one leg or all legs that day to finish reading it, so be it.

Disclaimers to this post:
-I don't bring my iPod on trips. Whether or not the other person chooses to use it is their business.
-I don't spike my hair. The other person's grooming habits is their business.
-I don't carry a backpack. Those who do I'm sure have a good reason...again not my business.

Get the drift?
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Parents you say...... PARENTS?????
 
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