Listening to Music on the Flight Deck - Safety Issue? FAA/Company Aware?

[Flying Ninja]

There's been some recent threads on listening to music on flight decks. The first thing that came into my mind is, are these pilots for real? Shouldn't they be paying attention to the instruments (flight, engine, navigation, etc.)? I know flying cruise can be dull as a bowling ball. Speaking from a passenger's perspective, this topic would surely make a great story on the evening news. I would think listening to music is a distraction that compromises safety of flight. I know that there are no regulations against listening to music in the FARs, but do airline companies have policies against this because it can potentially compromise safety of flight? I can totally picture oil pressure dropping steadily as the pilots laugh their a$$ off on XM's comedy channel.

I know that pilots complain about the low pay scale and all, but when I read threads like this, it just gives airline management more fuel to justify cutting your pay. If I was management, my first argument to cut pay is, "well, they're up there listening to music on autopilot and not doing much so why are we paying them so much?"

Please forgive my ignorance to your day-to-day job. I just want to express a concern. What do other pilots think of this?

 

[GogglesPisano]

I'm not knocking your experience level, but someday you will realize what a terribly boring job this can be most of the time.

 

[On Your Six]

I'm not knocking your experience level, but someday you will realize what a terribly boring job this can be most of the time.

I'll second that... That US Weekly magazine just doesn't last very long.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Yeah, sometimes it's safer to be paying attention to something reather than falling asleep or staring off into space due to boredom.

 

[G100driver]

I'm not knocking your experience level, but someday you will realize what a terribly boring job this can be most of the time.

Perception is everything.

 

[PacoPollo]

I'm not knocking your experience level, but someday you will realize what a terribly boring job this can be most of the time.

You didnt know that at www.gulfstreamacademy.com things are always busy?

 

[SCT]

FN- I was thinking somewhat the same thing after reading about the XM in the cockpit post.

What is allowed or not allowed (with passengers on board) in your guy's/ gal's flight departments? Listening to XM? Rush on the ADF? Reading the paper? Updating Jepps? Etc..

Just curious-

 

[GogglesPisano]

And another thing

In these days of laptops, why on earth would someone listen to music when there are DVD's to be watched?

 

[AerroMatt]

FAR's: The Sterile Cockpit Rule

There's been some recent threads on listening to music on flight decks. The first thing that came into my mind is, are these pilots for real? Shouldn't they be paying attention to the instruments (flight, engine, navigation, etc.)? I know flying cruise can be dull as a bowling ball. Speaking from a passenger's perspective, this topic would surely make a great story on the evening news. I would think listening to music is a distraction that compromises safety of flight. I know that there are no regulations against listening to music in the FARs, but do airline companies have policies against this because it can potentially compromise safety of flight? I can totally picture oil pressure dropping steadily as the pilots laugh their a$$ off on XM's comedy channel.

I know that pilots complain about the low pay scale and all, but when I read threads like this, it just gives airline management more fuel to justify cutting your pay. If I was management, my first argument to cut pay is, "well, they're up there listening to music on autopilot and not doing much so why are we paying them so much?"

Please forgive my ignorance to your day-to-day job. I just want to express a concern. What do other pilots think of this?

I can't recall the 121 regs, but this is covered under FAR 135.100, Flight crewmember duties, which prohibit the flight crew engaging in any activity during a critical phase of flight "except those duties required for the safe operation of the aircraft". Critical phase of flight is defined by 135.100(c) as "all ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, and all other flight operations conducted below 10000 feet except cruise flight."

All corporate operations I know invoke the "Sterile Cockpit Rule" in their GOM. It is implied that listening to XM Radio would be at captain's discretion during all phases of flight other than critical flight.

During those long flights I sometimes wonder just how I made it through all those years without the XM to keep me occupied. I'm very thankful to have it onboard, but I don't turn it on before 10K on climb out and turn it off during my descent. Don't need the added distraction.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Would you listen to your Ipod during an enroute inspection? Either Ipod guys are the real deal or not. Be a man and see what the Fed says....

The reason there is no FAR on Ipod listening is Professionals don't need to be policed.

With that said I wouldn't be surprised if the FAA makes a NPRM or pushes airlines to adopt it in thier FOMs.

There are babys and baby sitters..... Which one are you?

 

[WMUSIGPI]

According to crashpad roomates Comair actually put out a memo banning Ipod's because of too many missed radio calls

 

[LAMESAUCE]

here's a thought. if you can't listen to some jon secada, and hold a heading, maybe flying an airplane is not for you. not that i'm attempting to start a pissing match, but seriously. try flying single pilot, ifr, in the soup, in a navajo, with a flashlight in your mouth, trying to tune in the ILS on nav 1 and having to hold constant right wing down cause the a/p is deferred. throw in a little jon secada, and you'll see a smile on my face.

 

[Pilot_Ryan]

Flying Ninja: one day you will grow up and be a real, live professional pilot. Please try your best not to be one of those wrapped-too-tight types, okay? They are a supreme pain in the hind end for the rest of us... especially when we have to go on the road with you. Cheers.

 

[MissKittyKat]

Please, don't put me under the bus because I responded. While safety is the number one issue, I've mostly flown with "older and wiser gentlemen" who do listen to music. But I must say they are sharpest pencils in the the pencil case.

If you find it is a distraction, please by all means this is where your CRM skills come in handy, speak up, or politely ask not to play the music. I'm sure most seasoned Captains will turn it off, and say "what is the problem?". By then you can both strike up a conversation at 40,000 feet and the music can then be turned on again!

I've been with Captains who love to blast good ole rock and roll!

But seriously, if it is a problem, just discuss it candidly.

 

[MissKittyKat]

One more note, congradulations to the poster for the Summa Cum Laude! You deserved it! I noticed that that after you posted on your concern about music on board aircraft. This is such a high honor in school, are you now a pilot yourself sir, or desiring and working on your ratings? Either way, many of us, wish you the best and success in your career, although we may listen to music, we are still sharp and very understanding!

Thanks for your post!

 

[Pilot_Ryan]

Kook-factor just went up by four. Thread participants, proceed with caution.

 

[AerroMatt]

Rock n Roll

I've been with Captains who love to blast good ole rock and roll!

But seriously, if it is a problem, just discuss it candidly.

Meet another rocker, Miz KK!

I should have added in my previous post that I have a panel mount XM piped in through the Bose headsets. Ipod would be out of the question for me if I can't mute it. But, I'm so old fashioned, I barely know what an Ipod is. Guess I'm showing my age... <sigh>

 

[Snakum]

Kook-factor just went up by four. Thread participants, proceed with caution.

LMAO! Stay tuned for the ensuing train wreck. imp:

 

[MissKittyKat]

Thanks arerromat! What would flying be without some music> It doesn't have to be too loud, and the music is usually "Heading for the highway" "Born to be wild"! You just have to know when to appropriately play it. Some of these flights are 12 hours long! Who doesn't mind a song or two? Especially over the ocean, can be very long and boring, a little music is just as refreshing as a hot cup of tea or a fresh brewed coffee!

The guys get tired and sleepy, as a cabin attendant I usually stay awake as a crew member, we listen to music or just good conversation or they teach me how to navigate, these are on empty flights or positioning back flights!

Welcome, Rock and Rollers!

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

WOW. Navigate?