Access to Flight Deck?

[Flying Lawyer]

Would someone tell me, please:
Is it correct that the FAA prohibits passengers from the Flight Deck during flight?

Thanks.

[britavia]

Yes it is, at least if the airplane is operated under Part 135 or 121 regs. Unless you are a Commercial Pilot and have company ID, you cannot be admitted to the flight deck during flight.

[Flying Lawyer]

Thanks for the info.
Shame.

[Ignition Override]

Except: If we have an unscheduled Part 91 ferry flight (to position to/from maintenance) which is treated as general aviation, we can actually have a buddy or family member on the jumpseat, or in back. I wouldn't want my wife or boy on the jumpseat if we take off from 'outsourced work' and suffer a major systems failure, not to mention a compound problem! Considering the serious problems documented in airplanes from such low-budget maintenance hangars (that's why they get the contracts for the work) as the one in Dothan, AL (tragically, the Andrews AFB Navy Reserve squadron lost a CV-580 and crew years ago during an emergency attempt to return to Dothan: the missed inspection of the elevator cable allowed the yoke to go forward, but not backward).

During revenue flight with our company, a senior company executive sending up his ID beforehand via a flt. attendant may enter, as one of our former 'wonder boy' co-owners did enroute from LAX to MSP not too long ago. He came up to brag about our superior marketing people versus the ***toids' people.

[This message has been edited by Ignition Override (edited 30 July 2000).]

[Bear Cub]

FL - why is it a shame that FAA does not allow flight deck visits?

Your e-mail address suggests you are in the UK - so to get onto an FAA aircraft you may be considering flying to America.

Travel with an airline that is G registered and you can do your flight deck visit.

Probably way off beam with this - just thought I'd mention it.

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[Luftwaffle]

As a footnote, US carriers do permit flight deck visits, on the ground, before or after the flight, so you're not entirely cut off from seeing the toys.

An American F/O invited the pre-student-pilot version of me to stay and watch while he showed me the company flight plan, and explained the programming of the FMS.

[Bear Cub]

Luftwaffle has a valid point - I too was offered a pre-flight flight deck visit by a Laker Airways crew (Miami - Manchester)...but I decided that the one time that I should not distract the crew was whilst they were loading the trip details into the FMC.

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Hunting is bad!!
Support the right to arm Bears!!

[Flying Lawyer]

Thanks Bear Cub.
I'm flying G-Reg LHR-JFK, and LAX-LHR, but was confirming my suspicions for the USA domestic sector.