Training and Safety Tip: Brief like you mean business

I’m in seat 39A on a commercial flight, and the flight attendant is giving the safety briefing required by FAR 121.571. Even when no one else is paying attention, the flight attendant still has to give this spiel on every flight.

For general aviation pilots, the regulation is different—FAR 91.107—but the intent is much the same. It says that you, as pilot in command, may not take off until you ensure that everyone on board is briefed on how to fasten and unfasten their seat belts (and shoulder harnesses, if installed). The regulation also says you may not move the airplane without notifying everyone it’s time to buckle up. There are also quite a few words about passengers under the age of two, approved and disapproved child seats, and transporting parachutists.

These regulations put the responsibility on the pilot in command but use the words “shall ensure” and “ensures,” respectively, allowing the task to be delegated. Of course, most GA pilots don’t have a flight attendant, so you’ll probably have to do the briefing yourself.

What our Part 91 regulation doesn't require—that the Part 121 (and Part 135, governing charter flight) rules do—is briefing passengers on emergency procedures, survival equipment, and evacuation. But maybe you should include those anyway. What good is it to know how to unbuckle your seat belt but not what to do next in an emergency?

I know you are thinking that you’ll scare the heck out of your passengers. So, here’s the tip: Take a page from the airlines. Tell your passengers, “Just like on the airlines, the regulations require me to give you a safety briefing.” Then demonstrate how the seat belt works. Now you’ve satisfied the regulations, but while you are at it, go on and show them how the door operates, where the fire extinguisher is, and where to meet you (outside) if you end up having an unscheduled landing. Some optional extras that aren’t required but are good ideas: Explain how to operate the air vents or cabin heat and how to ensure seats are locked. Plus tell your passengers to please keep their feet off those pedals on the floor and not to grab the “steering wheel” on their side.

And maybe, you know, where to find the airsickness bag.