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Old 23rd Nov 2014, 20:35
  #11 (permalink)  
westhawk
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: USA
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It seems odd that magazines, newspapers, books or other "non pertinent" reading materials are not included in this pronouncement. How about mental exercises like Sudoku, crossword puzzles and other such "distractions"? Why not include conversing about non-flight related subjects. What's next, what one thinks about? Oh wait, most of these are already on the list of activities disallowed during critical phases of flight! Why? Could it be that more concentration is required during critical phases of flight than in non critical?

This officially sanctioned misapplication of logic is just the sort of mindless nonsense that one comes to expect when allowing non-specialist jobsworths into the policy-making loop in aviation matters. They actually believe humans are going to remain 100% focused on task at all times during a long flight like they do during "critical phases of flight"? That'll be the day! The level of attention and work-rate is appropriately modulated as required by situational demand.

Pilots like to keep their boredom rate low and their mental acuity in a "ready state" to meet demand as required. These small "distractions" allow many individuals to remain ready to respond. Others prefer to occupy themselves in other ways such as conversation. I enjoy simply flipping through all the FMS pages and comparing them to my mental estimations of flight performance. (done slowly and carefully to consume maximum time!) On some flights I've done all of the above. It even helps to trade off the duty of "minding the store" at intervals. I'm no good at sleeping sitting up but if the other guy needs to "be quiet" for awhile, I'll be sipping on some coffee and fiddling around with the FMS.

Sorry FAA, I believe you're wrong and what's more, the flaw in your logic is so obvious that even you must know it.
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