Membership: Get your aviation fix

AOPA app is free for members

February 1, 2018

Ask AOPA

Passenger Briefing
What do I say?

By Ferdi Mack

Q. During the before-engine-start checklist, my instructor gives a briefing covering some important items. How can I develop my own briefing?

A: You may ask your instructor to explain his briefing thought process and to help you memorize the briefing for your aircraft. As the pilot in command, you can modify the briefing to suit your needs. Here are some items that may be covered:

The fire extinguisher is located on the floor between the front seats. In the event of a fire, I/you will utilize it as the checklist dictates.
To fasten your seatbelt, insert the tab into the buckle until it clicks. To release the seatbelt, press the orange button. If others are having difficulty, release your seatbelt first, then help others.
To latch the aircraft door, pull the door toward you and move the handle down fully. To release the door, pull up on the handle until the door opens.
Use positive exchange of flight controls to eliminate ambiguity regarding who is flying the aircraft: “You have the controls,” “I have the controls,” “you have the controls.”
In the event of an actual emergency, I/you will take over as PIC, and you/I will assist with checklists, looking for traffic, and radio work.
Always look for traffic. If you see traffic, point it out, and I’ll do the same.

AOPA instructors answer thousands of member questions each week. Contact AOPA’s Pilot Information Center at 800-872-2672 or email [email protected].

Ferdi Mack is senior manager of the AOPA Pilot Information Center.

Pilot Speak

Clean
Being clean doesn’t mean you’ve just washed the airplane’s belly, and it doesn’t refer to your state of mind or living habits. It’s all about airplane configuration. You’ve seen stall speeds in your airplane’s handbook for VS or VS1. This is the stall speed for the airplane when the flaps are up, and if the airplane has a retractable gear, it too is up. Of course, if there’s a clean, that must mean there’s a…

Dirty
Sometimes pilots like to fly it dirty. Drop those flaps, extend the gear, and let all that drag hang out. The dirty configuration increases drag and helps slow things down for landing. Stall speed in this configuration is called VS0.

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2018 Aviation Calendar of Events

January 24-27, U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, Sebring, Florida
February 24-25, NW Aviation Conference, Puyallup, Washington
March 22-2,4 Women in Aviation Conference, Reno, Nevada
March 26-29, Aircraft Electronics Association, Las Vegas, Nevada
April 10-15, Sun ’n Fun Fly-In, Lakeland, Florida
May 5-6, Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, Anchorage, Alaska
June 15-16, AOPA Fly-In, Missoula, Montana
July 23-29, EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
August 19, National Aviation Day
September 12-16, National Championship Air Races, Reno, Nevada
September 14-15, AOPA Fly-In Santa Fe, New Mexico
October 5-6, AOPA Fly-In, Carbondale, Illinois
October 16,-18 NBAA Convention, Orlando, Florida
October 26-27, AOPA Fly-In, Gulf Shores, Alabama