The owner wants to listen in on cockpit communications.

[CitationCapt]

An aircraft owner wants to install a patch cord and headset to listen in on cockpit communications. Anyone out there in corporate aviation confronted with this and how did you handle it?

CC

 

[svcta]

We told ours(who is also a certificated pilot, but old) that it would be VERY expensive to run a set of jacks back to his seat. Really pricey.

Good luck.

 

[Rythm3]

I used to fly a guy around in his Navajo who had a phone installed next to his seat in the back, which he used to talk to the pilot(s) and could also hear ATC with as well. It was basically an intercom that extended to the rear of the aircraft.

My first trip with him really caught me off guard when he started talking to me shortly after takeoff. It really seemed like he would use the thing at the worst possible times. I finally established a rule with him that said if the seatbelt sign was on, that meant no phone.

If I were you, I would steer your boss away from something like that (if we are talking about the same thing). To me, it was more of a distraction than anything.

Hope that helps.

 

[Photoflight]

tell him to get a handheld and a headset that way he can listen to ATC but not yall.

 

[NW Flyer]

It could be wired up so he only hears radio traffic (recieving and transmitting), but not the intercom. Or, you can install an isolate switch (very recommended) in the cockpit so you can turn him off when you need to talk about "which engine's on fire again?".

One company I work for has all their airplanes wired up like this for aerial survey work.

 

[sydeseet]

The Charter/Management company I used to work for had an owner with this set-up in his E90. They were inherently paranoid people anyway - packed a survival kit on every flight, wouldn't fly together, would cancel the flight if it was raining or worse, etc.. Great folks to be around, just weird. I never saw him put the headset on nor did anyone else that flew the airplane but it the jack was there and a headset was stored in the back.

My suggestion is to have a sit-down with the owner and get to the root cause of such an action. Is he uncomfortable with something? Is it a personal trust issue? Is he just plain over-controlling? Tell him that the intra-cockpit communication is a CRITICAL part of a safe flight and knowing that an audience is listening is going to negatively impact the safety of the flight. Relate it to why they don't have family in the OR, you need to stand back and let the pro.'s do their best work.

 

[G100driver]

We told ours(who is also a certificated pilot, but old) that it would be VERY expensive to run a set of jacks back to his seat. Really pricey.

Good luck.

Call a very reputable shop and ask for a quote. Do not say anything and hand it to him. End of subject for 9 out of 10 owners.

Our airplane came deliveried with this option. I do not think that the boss even knows that it is there.

 

[mynameisjim]

Don't assume that he doesn't trust you. Perhaps it just interests him. Have you noticed that United broadcasts COM1 over their inflight entertainment system? It's for entertainment. My dad loves to listen while he flies. Also the pilots have the ability to turn off that system.

 

[svcta]

Have you noticed that United broadcasts COM1 over their inflight entertainment system? It's for entertainment. My dad loves to listen while he flies. Also the pilots have the ability to turn off that system.

It can be turned off. Depends on the crew.

 

[AC560]

Don't assume that he doesn't trust you. Perhaps it just interests him. Have you noticed that United broadcasts COM1 over their inflight entertainment system? It's for entertainment. My dad loves to listen while he flies. Also the pilots have the ability to turn off that system.

In reading the original post it would appear the owner wants to monitor the cockpit conversation not the com frequency, a bit different then what UA does.

My advice is hook it up and then every so often just scream into it OMG LOOK OUT FOR THAT MOUNTAIN, then laugh.

 

[JediNein]

You never know when your CEO is going to ask your opinion on a training aircraft he should purchase for his primary training.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

That would make me feel highly uncomfortable and self-conscious. Make sure you have an isolator switch at the least and definately brief him on the sterile cockpit concept and when its okay to give the crew a holler.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Problem is, he might misunderstand a lot of what's normal and innundate you with a plethera of asinine questions at every corner of the flight.

What's worse, is that he may start to question and offer his own opinions on what should be done in any given situation. By virtue of the owner, he may try to intervene when it's not appropriate or distract you during critical phases.

 

[con-pilot]

On the Falcon 900EX and the Falcon 50EX the cabin entertainment system carries the number 2 comm as standard channel. On the 900 you can have a video feed from the cockpit as well, however, that is an option.

The pilots control both the comm and video and can shut them off if desired.

Personally I never had any problem with the people in back listening to ATC commutations.

 

[Avalanche]

My friend managed an aircraft (421) where the owner had headset jacks in back. I was helping her on one trip, and I noticed that he spoke up at THE WORST times (i.e. during the flare and while communicating with ATC). After the first leg I set the intercom to ISO until cruise and and set it back to ISO during the decent.

 

[2EASYPilot]

Our "big" guy loves listening to the atc traffic and says it helps him fall asleep when he's tired. As mentioned before...on our Falcon's we can shut him off when atc starts chewing on us for something...he just thinks the freq got quiet. It's actually rather funny when we are international and can't quite understand what Miguel/Pierre/Hoorst/Winston, etc., are saying he gives a hand !!

 

[coffeepilot]

Challenger 300 has this installed in factory

In challenger 300 this can be installed in factory and is usually placed on number 4 seat! This is mainly for checkride purposes,but can also be used for back to listen atc etc...

We block this access because we dont need anyone to observe,judge and supervise what we do!

 

[MissKittyKat]

Hang in there folks, both pilots and flight attendants and cabin attendants, some owners are white knuckle fliers, they are actually afraid to be on their own aircraft. Don't get discouraged, offer them to come to the jumpseat if possible. If you have a good cabin attendant and good crew offer them some wine.

Just don't take if personally, some owners are really scared I know this to be true.

hang in there. But really some owners are afraid, they are not at ease, tooo much tension in their lives.

 

[CitationCapt]

Some really good posts.

CC

 

[N60OSU]

If he is the owner he may not be receptive to your hesitation to allow him to listen in. It is HIS airplane, after all and he probablt is not accustomed to being told "no," particularly by employees and with respect to his asset. In addition he may take it being somewhat standoffish. Working out a way to satisfy his curiousity while establishing the boundaries necessary to do your job professionally could be the only option you have. Many employees long for the chance to get some face time with the boss. You have the boss coming to you. The rapport you develop could be invaluable...

 

[Diesel]

.....or the job you lose due to a private conversation or a slip in the cockpit could be just as valuable.

Its his airplane but its your workplace. 600su might not have seen some of the excentries of certain owners flying checks.

 

[Rxflyer]

So, get him a listen-only headset. It doesn't have to have a boom mike, right ?

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

It's his airplane.

 

[learflyer]

The Charter/Management company I used to work for had an owner with this set-up in his E90. They were inherently paranoid people anyway - packed a survival kit on every flight, wouldn't fly together, would cancel the flight if it was raining or worse, etc.. Great folks to be around, just weird. I never saw him put the headset on nor did anyone else that flew the airplane but it the jack was there and a headset was stored in the back.


When I was at the fracs, we had a guy that always brought a defribillator (sp) with him! And then he would always ask us where we were from. Mind you I flew him around for 6 years!

 

[N60OSU]

.....or the job you lose due to a private conversation or a slip in the cockpit could be just as valuable.

Its his airplane but its your workplace. 600su might not have seen some of the excentries of certain owners flying checks.

Ahhh...so my opinion is worthless. Why could you not have simply left the last sentence out. It serves no purpose.

Every one of us has a boss. No, I have not had the pleasure flying mine around in an airplane but I have had the chance to work closely with some and, given the choice, would prefer to establish a relationship and show them exactly what it is I do. Yes some have their eccentricities. I have had those bosses as well. I've worked for complete pricks; guys who would just as soon I not bother them with the boring details of my simple life. I hope I am fortunate enough to always work for someone who takes an interest in what I'm doing.

Every one of us has a workplace. Perhaps it's not the place for a private conversation that could put your job in jeopardy. If the conversation is such that your boss would be inclined to fire you upon overhearing it then perhaps it's best for all involved that you part ways.

My point was simply that people with that much money and power tend to get their way in the end. I just think that the benefits of involving the boss outweigh the risks.

 

[Propnose]

Tell him he can llisten(evesdrop?) to your cockpit conversation if you can sit in on all of his most important biz meetings! Like any of us would really want to do that, huh?

 

[NHflyer]

I wouldn't worry. If you provide this ability for the boss, he'll listen in once or twice and then get bored with it and never use it again. All of our planes have this feature and I think in the several years I've been flying them I've once seen it being used. The bottom line is it's his plane.