The briefing is a requirement (SAFETY). I like that you incorporate the pre-takeoff briefing as well. What a great video full of great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Critically important on first flight PLUS all flights thereafter, respect/comply with “sterile cockpit” during entire takeoff & landing phases. I announce sterile cockpit as checklist item within 5 to 10 mile radius of airport. The variance is dependent on air traffic activity and/or controlled-unconcontrolled airports. FYI-I define sterile cockpit as absence of any conversations not specifically related to aircraft flight safety. Therefore that eliminates casual conversations, sightseeing comments & even how airplanes/aircraft systems work, etc which intentionally distracts PIC throughout takeoff & landing critical tasks. There are way too many TH-cam videos which include multitude of continuous & distracting conversations throughout critical takeoff & landing phases. Amazingly, the participants include experienced pilots (CFI’s too) in basic to complex aircraft. We’ll enough of my soapbox-still don’t forget sterile cockpit.
Something I've always done is to keep a running monologue [of sorts] going. Basically, I just verbalize the thinking I'm already doing to stay ahead of the airplane. That way, my passenger always knows what's coming up. And I'm not trying to figure out how to articulate anything. Maximum communication, for minimum mental bandwidth. (The major break in this, is 12nm [std, amend as needed] around my departure and arrival airports. Before I even spin the prop up, I tell my passenger that getting into and out of airports takes a lot of attention and talking on the radio, so get comfy and enjoy the sensations and views that very few people in the world get to experience.)
This is really great advice. I'll sometimes use my isolate switch on my comms stack if they're being chatty when I need to focus so they can still have their fun and I can concentrate. Your narration tactic is good too... I do this even by myself especially in IFR where I am calling out altitudes on the approach and such to help stay focused (800 for 400, 700 for 400, etc.). Thanks for the comment!
I agree completely and always talk through what I'm doing and about to do (even when I'm alone). It's something I picked up from my instructor and it stuck with me. I think it's helpful in cementing memory items and procedures even when I'm alone, and also I think it's reassuring to a passenger because it keeps them informed about what's going on and what to expect. For some reason, it's also something that makes me feel more at ease too - possibly because it reminds me of what my instructor did with me as a new student pilot.
My first time in a small airplane was awesome, it was at an airshow and only booked in for 15 minutes. Ended up in the air for 45 due to the runway airspace being occupied and we did the full compliment of barrel rolls and turns :D nothing like sitting pressed back into your seat at a 90 degree angle and not falling down!
Well done! A new pilot and a new passenger is a wonderful sight to see. It is a also wonderful to be able to introduce someone to the joy of flying. So keep it joyful! All that work in getting your license and the excitement of now being able to do it yourself. Fantastic! Always keep in mind that you are now PIC and responsible for THEIR safety as well as your own. As pilots our top job is to instill confidence in our passengers by being as attentive and aware as possible. I cringe every time I watch a vid where a pilot takes their girlfriend flying and does not take into consideration how she is reacting to the flight or how the flight is affecting her... sometimes even to the extreme point of pretending an emergency is in play, so he can play "hero," just prior to asking her if she will marry him!!
Roll that beautiful bean footage, Charlie. 😜 Great tips. SAFETY is key: one takeoff, one landing. I hope more freshly-minted pilots see this video, and choose the course of aviation ambassador, versus an inflation of ego. ✈️😎👍
@@AirplaneAcademy it went great! We flew over his house, the high school we both went to (I graduated a few months back, he is a sophomore), local areas in our city, and then flew to a local airport. Before getting in the air, he said he was considering becoming a pilot and wanted to try it out. On the way back to our home airport he had a huge grin and knew for sure that he wanted to fly-I’d say that’s a pretty damn good flight! Thanks again for the videos.
Thanks, and I think that's wise! It's interesting, I do think there is something important that happens after 100 hours in any airplane where you really start to get a better feel for it and have some muscle memory. Whether that's 100 hours total, or 100 hours into a new airplane, I have found it's a good checkpoint.
Not a bad idea. Although I think 100 additional hours (beyond the hours it took to get the license) may be excessive for many. A lot depends on the pilot and what you intend to do on that first flight with a passenger. For instance, I trained near my home and was very familiar with all the airports in the area - having landed at each of them numerous times as a student - both with and then without my instructor. I also had some lag time after reaching the check-ride requirements and endorsement, and actually being able to take it. (This was due to the retirement the local DPE my flight school used and the several subsequent weeks it took to find a new DPE and actually schedule the check-ride with her.) During the wait for the check-ride, I continued to fly a lot of local area solo flights, two or more times a week, to various airports I was already endorsed to fly to by my instructor. This gained me another 10 or so hours of flight time and many more takeoffs and landings practiced and logged. When I completed the check-ride and got my license, I specifically chose a good friend and coworker who is very calm and comfortable flying, and has an interest and decent knowledge in aviation as my first passenger. I planned the flight in the local area and we flew in airspace and to/from airports that I was already intimately familiar with from my time as a student. I basically kept the flight plan to something I was very familiar with and chose a day with clear skies and great visibility. So aside from the addition of the passenger, it was otherwise something I had done many, many times before. I think a flight like this is very reasonable for a newly minted private pilot as long as they feel it's reasonable. Having said that, I never would have considered a cross country to an unfamiliar airport or flying with less than great weather as a first (or second or third...) flight with a passenger. The key to it being safe was only doing something very routine and familiar because I knew that having a passenger on board was new experience for me. Much like flight training, each lesson is designed to build upon the previous one. I looked at this flight as the same thing and purposely made sure it wasn't overly complicated or new. With greater experience and hours, a pilot can start to expand that into longer flights and new airports outside the very familiar. But just like is done in flight lessons, I think it should all be done in "baby steps" until the appropriate level of confidence, competence and experience is gradually attained.
It's a good way to not have them fly with you again! Having said that, I have performed stalls with some non-pilot passengers - only when they've agreed and have been briefed about what it's like. I mainly do it so they understand the dynamics of stalls and airflow over the wings. Another thing I've done with a somewhat nervous flyer who asks, "What if the engine quits?" is to do my descent and approach to the airport, including in the pattern, at idle thrust. At first, I don't mention it - nor do they notice it - because it doesn't really feel or look much different than a normal descent. Then I let them know (and show them with the throttle) that the engine is at idle and producing no thrust which is no different an experience they'd feel if the engine quit. I think this can reassure a nervous flyer (through a very non-scary practical experience they can see and feel) that airplanes don't "fall out of the sky" when the engine stops producing power. And no... I don't actually shut down the engine in flight to prove it to them - although I have done that once in a Piper J3 Cub with an experienced instructor on board, and I have to say it was very fun. We glided with the engine off to a perfectly normal landing on a grass runway. But I don't think a nervous passenger would appreciate that the same way I did. Lol.
Don't' forget the LOGBOOK entry detailing you first PAX experience. Very rewarding when many years later you find yourself flipping thru your logbook.
Yeah good idea!
I’m in this awkward stage of having my license but not having carried a passenger yet
Just passed my Privet pilot check ride 2 days ago. Taking my girlfriend up tomorrow she been a huge supporter along the way. Very excited !
HUGE congrats to you! Welcome to the club!
The briefing is a requirement (SAFETY). I like that you incorporate the pre-takeoff briefing as well. What a great video full of great suggestions. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks the comment and the nice words! I really appreciate that.
You deserve more subs. This is great work
Thank you! That's was nice to hear and I appreciate you watching. Hope you'll subscribe! -Charlie
Critically important on first flight PLUS all flights thereafter, respect/comply with “sterile cockpit” during entire takeoff & landing phases. I announce sterile cockpit as checklist item within 5 to 10 mile radius of airport. The variance is dependent on air traffic activity and/or controlled-unconcontrolled airports. FYI-I define sterile cockpit as absence of any conversations not specifically related to aircraft flight safety. Therefore that eliminates casual conversations, sightseeing comments & even how airplanes/aircraft systems work, etc which intentionally distracts PIC throughout takeoff & landing critical tasks. There are way too many TH-cam videos which include multitude of continuous & distracting conversations throughout critical takeoff & landing phases. Amazingly, the participants include experienced pilots (CFI’s too) in basic to complex aircraft. We’ll enough of my soapbox-still don’t forget sterile cockpit.
Something I've always done is to keep a running monologue [of sorts] going. Basically, I just verbalize the thinking I'm already doing to stay ahead of the airplane. That way, my passenger always knows what's coming up. And I'm not trying to figure out how to articulate anything. Maximum communication, for minimum mental bandwidth. (The major break in this, is 12nm [std, amend as needed] around my departure and arrival airports. Before I even spin the prop up, I tell my passenger that getting into and out of airports takes a lot of attention and talking on the radio, so get comfy and enjoy the sensations and views that very few people in the world get to experience.)
This is really great advice. I'll sometimes use my isolate switch on my comms stack if they're being chatty when I need to focus so they can still have their fun and I can concentrate. Your narration tactic is good too... I do this even by myself especially in IFR where I am calling out altitudes on the approach and such to help stay focused (800 for 400, 700 for 400, etc.). Thanks for the comment!
I agree completely and always talk through what I'm doing and about to do (even when I'm alone). It's something I picked up from my instructor and it stuck with me. I think it's helpful in cementing memory items and procedures even when I'm alone, and also I think it's reassuring to a passenger because it keeps them informed about what's going on and what to expect. For some reason, it's also something that makes me feel more at ease too - possibly because it reminds me of what my instructor did with me as a new student pilot.
My first time in a small airplane was awesome, it was at an airshow and only booked in for 15 minutes. Ended up in the air for 45 due to the runway airspace being occupied and we did the full compliment of barrel rolls and turns :D nothing like sitting pressed back into your seat at a 90 degree angle and not falling down!
Wow, how cool! That's a blast.
Yes, and have the passenger practice opening and closing the door in addition to seat belt operation.
I can't have a great time in a plane unless it's inverted at least once.
If you can't aileron roll it, we may as well be driving.
Great tips man, I really appreciate you taking the time to explain this to any new pilots. Cheers mate!
Sure thing!!
Well done! A new pilot and a new passenger is a wonderful sight to see. It is a also wonderful to be able to introduce someone to the joy of flying. So keep it joyful! All that work in getting your license and the excitement of now being able to do it yourself. Fantastic! Always keep in mind that you are now PIC and responsible for THEIR safety as well as your own. As pilots our top job is to instill confidence in our passengers by being as attentive and aware as possible. I cringe every time I watch a vid where a pilot takes their girlfriend flying and does not take into consideration how she is reacting to the flight or how the flight is affecting her... sometimes even to the extreme point of pretending an emergency is in play, so he can play "hero," just prior to asking her if she will marry him!!
I couldn't agree more! Well said.
Great tips! Grab some sick sacks and show your passengers where they are. Helps the possible embarrassment if a passenger becomes ill.
Good point! Hopefully you won't do anything on the flight that makes those necessary :)
Very true!
i just passed my ppl and taking 2 people up
awesome!! congratulations. huge milestone, welcome to the club. -charlie
Really good information, thanks for sharing 👍
So glad you found it helpful!
Great tips.
Roll that beautiful bean footage, Charlie. 😜 Great tips. SAFETY is key: one takeoff, one landing. I hope more freshly-minted pilots see this video, and choose the course of aviation ambassador, versus an inflation of ego. ✈️😎👍
Haha! :) Thanks man! I really appreciate it you saying this.
I wish I watched this before I took my first few passengers - great advice!!!
I'm so glad it was helpful!
@@AirplaneAcademy I've learned all these lessons now, sadly but it is great advice still!
I thought the DPE was your first real passenger.
Fair point.... okay second passenger!
First flight with a passenger coming up in a few hours! Let’s do this
Awesome! How did it go??
@@AirplaneAcademy it went great! We flew over his house, the high school we both went to (I graduated a few months back, he is a sophomore), local areas in our city, and then flew to a local airport. Before getting in the air, he said he was considering becoming a pilot and wanted to try it out. On the way back to our home airport he had a huge grin and knew for sure that he wanted to fly-I’d say that’s a pretty damn good flight!
Thanks again for the videos.
That's awesome!!
@@AirplaneAcademy thank you!
Id be scared to carry passengers soon after receiving a PPL
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Am gonna take off with the person I hate the most.
Great tips. IMO, a new PPL should fly 100 (additional) hours before taking passengers up.
Thanks, and I think that's wise! It's interesting, I do think there is something important that happens after 100 hours in any airplane where you really start to get a better feel for it and have some muscle memory. Whether that's 100 hours total, or 100 hours into a new airplane, I have found it's a good checkpoint.
sure, so i wont take anyone next three years lol
Not a bad idea. Although I think 100 additional hours (beyond the hours it took to get the license) may be excessive for many.
A lot depends on the pilot and what you intend to do on that first flight with a passenger. For instance, I trained near my home and was very familiar with all the airports in the area - having landed at each of them numerous times as a student - both with and then without my instructor. I also had some lag time after reaching the check-ride requirements and endorsement, and actually being able to take it. (This was due to the retirement the local DPE my flight school used and the several subsequent weeks it took to find a new DPE and actually schedule the check-ride with her.)
During the wait for the check-ride, I continued to fly a lot of local area solo flights, two or more times a week, to various airports I was already endorsed to fly to by my instructor. This gained me another 10 or so hours of flight time and many more takeoffs and landings practiced and logged.
When I completed the check-ride and got my license, I specifically chose a good friend and coworker who is very calm and comfortable flying, and has an interest and decent knowledge in aviation as my first passenger. I planned the flight in the local area and we flew in airspace and to/from airports that I was already intimately familiar with from my time as a student. I basically kept the flight plan to something I was very familiar with and chose a day with clear skies and great visibility. So aside from the addition of the passenger, it was otherwise something I had done many, many times before.
I think a flight like this is very reasonable for a newly minted private pilot as long as they feel it's reasonable. Having said that, I never would have considered a cross country to an unfamiliar airport or flying with less than great weather as a first (or second or third...) flight with a passenger. The key to it being safe was only doing something very routine and familiar because I knew that having a passenger on board was new experience for me. Much like flight training, each lesson is designed to build upon the previous one. I looked at this flight as the same thing and purposely made sure it wasn't overly complicated or new.
With greater experience and hours, a pilot can start to expand that into longer flights and new airports outside the very familiar. But just like is done in flight lessons, I think it should all be done in "baby steps" until the appropriate level of confidence, competence and experience is gradually attained.
Stall Spin is mandatory for all non pilot passengers. Be curtious and give them a vomit bag when you pull out.
It's a good way to not have them fly with you again!
Having said that, I have performed stalls with some non-pilot passengers - only when they've agreed and have been briefed about what it's like. I mainly do it so they understand the dynamics of stalls and airflow over the wings.
Another thing I've done with a somewhat nervous flyer who asks, "What if the engine quits?" is to do my descent and approach to the airport, including in the pattern, at idle thrust. At first, I don't mention it - nor do they notice it - because it doesn't really feel or look much different than a normal descent. Then I let them know (and show them with the throttle) that the engine is at idle and producing no thrust which is no different an experience they'd feel if the engine quit. I think this can reassure a nervous flyer (through a very non-scary practical experience they can see and feel) that airplanes don't "fall out of the sky" when the engine stops producing power.
And no... I don't actually shut down the engine in flight to prove it to them - although I have done that once in a Piper J3 Cub with an experienced instructor on board, and I have to say it was very fun. We glided with the engine off to a perfectly normal landing on a grass runway. But I don't think a nervous passenger would appreciate that the same way I did. Lol.
Ever heard of a barber