Poor Airmanship? Pilots reading non-relevent material in the cockpit during flight.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Poor Airmanship? Pilots reading non-relevent material in the cockpit during flight.
I'm interested in the general opinion of other pilots regarding the subject of pilots reading non-relevant publications (newspapers, magazines, novels...) during flight. As an Airbus A320 captain myself with over 30 years in military and commercial aviation, I personally find such behaviour extremely non-professional and akin to poor airmanship. But in my airline, even though we're flying short-haul routes, I have definitely noticed an increase in the number of co-pilots whom I fly with who consider it perfectly acceptable to do so (until I ask them to either stop doing so, or otherwise hand over their duties as PF or PNF to me and take an official Crew Fatigue Management break, doing with it as they see fit). Even our chief pilot does nothing to discourage this behaviour. Some try to start reading even while we're still in climb mode!
I understand just as much as the next guy how hard we work and how important fatigue management is nowadays. But just to open a newspaper and start reading without handing over duty is grossly negligent in my books. Does anyone else out there agree with me? Is this indeed poor airmanship or am I just a relic of bygone age?
I understand just as much as the next guy how hard we work and how important fatigue management is nowadays. But just to open a newspaper and start reading without handing over duty is grossly negligent in my books. Does anyone else out there agree with me? Is this indeed poor airmanship or am I just a relic of bygone age?
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NL
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you've got next to nothing to do in cruise, what's wrong with reading a book or magazine?
I find it curious that you only object to people reading "non-relevant publications". Does that mean you object not to the fact that people are reading, but to WHAT they are reading? Like, an ops manual would be acceptable to read, but a magazine would not?
I find it curious that you only object to people reading "non-relevant publications". Does that mean you object not to the fact that people are reading, but to WHAT they are reading? Like, an ops manual would be acceptable to read, but a magazine would not?
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am absolutely on your side, 126807. A couple of times I had to ask F/Os to stop reading. Two times it was taken as an insult (which was in no way intended). It is difficult to make your point if your chief pilot is doing it as well, as he was in the case of my former company.
Personally, flying short-haul, I don't like it for a couple of reasons.
First of all, you are taking yourself out of the loop. No matter what you read, you are devoting part of your cognitive resources to reading. If the guys who missed Indianapolis last year had been reading instead of looking at their laptops, it would have been obvious to everybody now that it might be a good idea to keep an eye on the flight's progress.
Secondly, I think it's impolite. Why not talk to the guy sitting next to you? (In this context, I find it remarkable that you never get asked whether it is okay to read - the other guy just pulls out his book/magazine and starts reading).
Thirdly, I think it makes a bad impression on the cabin crew (if fitted). They are working their butts off, and when they come to the cockpit they see a couple of guys who only seem to take a remote interest in the safe progress of the flight?
I have never heard a good and valid reason for reading. People who fly long-haul told me that it helps them overcome fatigue. As I have no experience flying long-haul myself, I can't really tell whether that's a valid point.
Fish1 is right insofar as it is hard to draw a line when it comes to the definition of "relevant material". Is it really necessary to have a look at the operating manual in flight? The latest company memo? In any case, reading "War&peace" may be a great cultural endeavour, but it is not what you are paid to do and what your passengers expect from you. Why not err on the safe side?
Personally, flying short-haul, I don't like it for a couple of reasons.
First of all, you are taking yourself out of the loop. No matter what you read, you are devoting part of your cognitive resources to reading. If the guys who missed Indianapolis last year had been reading instead of looking at their laptops, it would have been obvious to everybody now that it might be a good idea to keep an eye on the flight's progress.
Secondly, I think it's impolite. Why not talk to the guy sitting next to you? (In this context, I find it remarkable that you never get asked whether it is okay to read - the other guy just pulls out his book/magazine and starts reading).
Thirdly, I think it makes a bad impression on the cabin crew (if fitted). They are working their butts off, and when they come to the cockpit they see a couple of guys who only seem to take a remote interest in the safe progress of the flight?
I have never heard a good and valid reason for reading. People who fly long-haul told me that it helps them overcome fatigue. As I have no experience flying long-haul myself, I can't really tell whether that's a valid point.
Fish1 is right insofar as it is hard to draw a line when it comes to the definition of "relevant material". Is it really necessary to have a look at the operating manual in flight? The latest company memo? In any case, reading "War&peace" may be a great cultural endeavour, but it is not what you are paid to do and what your passengers expect from you. Why not err on the safe side?
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Srely there is a big difference between a newspaper/ops manual ans a novel.A novel is designed to "take you away", intended to distract and take a lot more concentration than scanning a newspaper or looking thru the manuals.
I too have noticed how FOs will just pull out a book without even the courtesy of asking, and also found offence sometimes taken when asked to stop. Yes, Airmanship. But it's not included in modern training, is it, having been displaced by SOPs.
I too have noticed how FOs will just pull out a book without even the courtesy of asking, and also found offence sometimes taken when asked to stop. Yes, Airmanship. But it's not included in modern training, is it, having been displaced by SOPs.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NL
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First, I should note that I do read myself, but only if I feel there's time and opportunity for it, and that a lot of flights I do are quite long. On a short flight across the North Sea to London, having only a few minutes in cruise and little time to even prepare for the arrival, obviously I'm not going to be spending any time reading. A flight all the way down to some place in the Canary Islands is a different story however. And I agree with the idea that reading something does a better job at keeping you awake than just staring at the instruments.
To say it's rude, well, you do run out of things to talk about with people at times. And even though I generally get along with people just fine, it's not said I've always got much in common with the other guy, often not enough to have eight hours worth of conversation when flying to Tenerife and back anyway. I certainly don't mind it if the other guy gets a book or magazine out.
A while ago I was flying with a management pilot who shared this view that pilots shouldn't really be reading during the flight. However, he has no problem himself looking through the manuals, or even get out his laptop to catch up with some digital paperwork. I find it quite odd that he refuses me to read my book while he's busy working on his laptop. You're not telling me that laptop isn't a distraction.
To say it's rude, well, you do run out of things to talk about with people at times. And even though I generally get along with people just fine, it's not said I've always got much in common with the other guy, often not enough to have eight hours worth of conversation when flying to Tenerife and back anyway. I certainly don't mind it if the other guy gets a book or magazine out.
A while ago I was flying with a management pilot who shared this view that pilots shouldn't really be reading during the flight. However, he has no problem himself looking through the manuals, or even get out his laptop to catch up with some digital paperwork. I find it quite odd that he refuses me to read my book while he's busy working on his laptop. You're not telling me that laptop isn't a distraction.
In my previous company there was an SOP stating that we weren't allowed to read any non flight-related items, sicne it was shorthaul and the aircraft wasn't equipped with autothrust it made sense.
I currently fly the 320, shorthaul, and I bring newspapers and books to work. I get very very bored on 3 hour + sectors, and even though it does distract you, personally feel it keeps me aroused.
Remember the curve? A lot of arousal decreases your performance, but so does under-arousol. It is well known that people can't stare at a videoscreen and keep paying attention for a prolonged period of time, which is in essence what we do.
Since everybody reacts differently to books / newspapers, and not every book is the same, I think you can't differentiate between what people read. As long as the job gets done, I think it's only a good thing to try and stay awake somehow. Personally I always scan the flightdeck every other minute to see if there are any changes / if we're approaching an FIR boundry etc etc and I don't think reading something is displaying bad airmanship, if you do it on approach it would be, but there is a time and a place.
All incidents and occurences I read about at work haven't been caused because people were reading, they have been caused due to mode confusion / loss of awareness / lack of understanding, the list is endless. When somebody can point me to an incident or accident where reading was cited as the main factor then please point this out to me.
I currently fly the 320, shorthaul, and I bring newspapers and books to work. I get very very bored on 3 hour + sectors, and even though it does distract you, personally feel it keeps me aroused.
Remember the curve? A lot of arousal decreases your performance, but so does under-arousol. It is well known that people can't stare at a videoscreen and keep paying attention for a prolonged period of time, which is in essence what we do.
Since everybody reacts differently to books / newspapers, and not every book is the same, I think you can't differentiate between what people read. As long as the job gets done, I think it's only a good thing to try and stay awake somehow. Personally I always scan the flightdeck every other minute to see if there are any changes / if we're approaching an FIR boundry etc etc and I don't think reading something is displaying bad airmanship, if you do it on approach it would be, but there is a time and a place.
All incidents and occurences I read about at work haven't been caused because people were reading, they have been caused due to mode confusion / loss of awareness / lack of understanding, the list is endless. When somebody can point me to an incident or accident where reading was cited as the main factor then please point this out to me.
Last edited by PGA; 15th Aug 2010 at 15:54. Reason: typo
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Uk
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
try getting through a 14 hour trans pacific flight with 10 hours of it CPDLC with ADS...no position reporting and absolutely nothing to do, and keep even vaguely a quarter of the way up that arousal curve!...impossible!...personally I have found the times I feel most out of the loop are not when reading a newspaper...or even a novel...(that might be a distraction, but it is easy to tear yourself away from it every so often to twiddle a knob!)....no it is when engrossed in the company manuals, maybe studying for a tech quiz trying to disseminate all that info and hell bent on getting it finished before bed time.
Short haul may be a different kettle of fish, but with ultra long haul, any distraction is welcome, and definitely not bad airmanship!
Short haul may be a different kettle of fish, but with ultra long haul, any distraction is welcome, and definitely not bad airmanship!
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
Posts: 4,093
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Even in the middle of the night over the ocean on long haul it is wise to be disciplined about reading on the flight deck.
I remember a case where the captain was reading and the FO left the flight deck, captain thought the buffet was turbulence and it was the stall warning that got his attention! At that precise time the capts. ADC had failed and as the speed tape unwound so did the throttles and air speed! All very subtle too. one in a million chance perhaps but it can happen. (No, I wasn't the captain!).
I remember a case where the captain was reading and the FO left the flight deck, captain thought the buffet was turbulence and it was the stall warning that got his attention! At that precise time the capts. ADC had failed and as the speed tape unwound so did the throttles and air speed! All very subtle too. one in a million chance perhaps but it can happen. (No, I wasn't the captain!).
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NW
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some of us can drive down the road, talk on cell phone, drive with our knees....some drive with white knuckles, looking straight ahead at 20 MPH, where a cat running out would make them flip the car..
I fly single pilot routinely at Fl450, working on a laptop, IPOD under the Bose glancing up to monitor things.....the biggest distraction is passengers wanting to talk...not what I bring to the table for entertainment....I will get up there and do partial panel, double reversion on the EFIS..work on flight plans and paperwork, maint. logs...read books....I can't even imagine the copilot being anything but someone I have to watch, monitor, as he reaches out and wiggles some knob.....
Seriously, if I had a copilot, I would WANT him to take a nap or read a book or go in back and pour drinks, not up front messing with stuff...
I fly single pilot routinely at Fl450, working on a laptop, IPOD under the Bose glancing up to monitor things.....the biggest distraction is passengers wanting to talk...not what I bring to the table for entertainment....I will get up there and do partial panel, double reversion on the EFIS..work on flight plans and paperwork, maint. logs...read books....I can't even imagine the copilot being anything but someone I have to watch, monitor, as he reaches out and wiggles some knob.....
Seriously, if I had a copilot, I would WANT him to take a nap or read a book or go in back and pour drinks, not up front messing with stuff...
SkyGod
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Palm Coast, Florida, USA
Age: 67
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
1 Post
Secondly, I think it's impolite. Why not talk to the guy sitting next to you? (In this context, I find it remarkable that you never get asked whether it is okay to read - the other guy just pulls out his book/magazine and starts reading).
After the climb and level at FL, I do pull out the odd magazine or newspaper trying to read a bit.
Many a times I fly with a captain that is full of himself and his ego and naturally he wants to talk about himself..
It gets pretty darn boring after a few minuttes of listening to his concerns about his marriage, his next training session, his commute, his dog's bowel movements, etc.
I do not read during climb regardless who is flying.
In the past with various airlines I was the captain wanting to chat and probably bored my F/Os with my B/S and got offended if they pulled out a magazine or maybe not..Can't remember that far back.
In the right seat, my services or opinions is not needed or wanted beyond R/T and the occasional radar scan for C/Bs and alerts to TCAS messages.
Cruise only however: Climb or descent I put the paper away and try to show some interest and to listen to the Captain's personal concerns...
A couple of times I had to ask F/Os to stop reading
If it does not bother the chief pilot and it is not forbidden anywhere, then who are you to enforce your own unique rules and procedures upon people ?
I suppose you also believe that someone must also hand over to you whilst eating even though it might not be written anywhere ?
Why not talk to the guy sitting next to you?
I have to admit there have numerous occasions where the flight crew (including me) have become so deeply involved in a very heavy conversation that they have lost complete situational awareness !!
You do not need to be reading to be distracted from doing your job, and having a talk with someone can be just as distracting. But you say talking is ok but reading is not ?
I agree with PGA, it's a good way to keep the (mental) arousal levels up, especially on long sectors, and stay awake (back of the clock).
Why not talk to the guy sitting next to you?
If the flight deck was quiet, because 1 of us was reading, then we would be able to hear the radio and perhaps not miss out on a radio call.
I see radio calls missed more often than not due people talking and not due someone reading.
Remember that an aircraft does not require 2 pilots to fly it (might require it legally but otherwise can safely be flown by 1 pilot, especially in the cruise)
You are saying that if 1 pilot is reading, he is not purely focused on the job. True, but the other pilot is still there. How much attention and focus does the job require when flying in cruise, especially during the day in clear blue sky ? Does an airliner always require the full concentration and mental ability of all flight crew ? What about all the single pilot aircraft which only have 1 pilot at the controls ? They fly around safely on their own with only 1 pilot (that is only 1 set of ears and 1 set of eyes)
. Its ok for them but you say its not ok in a multi crew airliner if one person is not fully concentrating whilst reading even though there is another pilot onboard ?
GB, re your “I can read and hear at the same time. I don't miss radio calls. Any other questions?”
Are you human; or just exempt human factors – split attention, distraction, etc?
J C “At least you think its ok to read the paper.”
But are you sure that he can read?
Are you human; or just exempt human factors – split attention, distraction, etc?
J C “At least you think its ok to read the paper.”
But are you sure that he can read?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Castlegar
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CRZ habits, housekeeping, ! FAITH ! in their autoflight
Posed in initial message:
Previous inflight UPSETs had several subtle factors inhibiting the human pilot's UPSET- RECOGNITION. READING during crz : Night? Lights-up bright?
“Behavior Factors” -- “... Safety Board could not determine conclusively that the captain was reading at the onset of the accident sequence. Coworkers established that it was his habit to read in flight with the cockpit thunderstorm lights set on bright. On the CVR transcript, the captain made a comment about lighting that may have referred to adjusting cockpit lights for reading ... If the captain was reading, regardless of the nature of the material, he would have been distracted ... Safety Board recognizes that operational material is read by flightcrew ... However, reading of nonoperational material is not a good practice because it detracts from the pilot’s primary duty, and therefore should not be tolerated in an airplane cockpit.... possible that the captain was inattentive ... and that his inattention was a factor ...”
[From aar pg 29, Zantop 931/ 30May84. CVR indicated gyro problem during CLB, \\ Zantop CVR preserved the pilot's comments about the suspected Attitude displays: "Gyro's ah screwed-up ---- * ... Wings level now.... Chuck could you switch it over to Number One ..." \\ crew selected #1 VG to drive both ADIs; entered right descending spiral as IAS increased; inflight break-up, debris spread over large area. P.C.-- entry into unusual attitude and inability of the flight crew to analyze the flight condition before there was a complete loss of control . . . an undetermined failure of a component in the #2 Vertical Gyro system . . . amplifier and associated circuitry . . . bad data to Copilot's horizon indicator. Speculation included that Captain had a history of turning cockpit lighting full bright during night flights (so he could read while the F/O flew the aircraft), CVR had sounds of pages turning, lack of outside visual clues inhibited the F/O's recognition of the developing upset.]
Reading may be less distracting than other thinking-writing chores -- How-goes-it Chart, Log Book, Nav-log "chores" have also been reported by pilots as the sourced of their-own pilot-distraction. Eg, Speed decay during CRZ (spd/pitch upset) STICK-SHAKER, pilots distracted while entering Log Book entry, delayed recognition of upset (from ASRS).
Here's an example where each of the pilots was doing routing pilot-chores, and thus were simultaneously busy, delaying upset recognition:
"I'm interested in the general opinion of other pilots regarding the subject of pilots reading ... during flight...."
You asked about "opinion of other pilots" -- reading their responses (above) you can see that most of today's pilots feel just fine about both pilots reading during flight, with newspapers obscuring the windscreen. Previous inflight UPSETs had several subtle factors inhibiting the human pilot's UPSET- RECOGNITION. READING during crz : Night? Lights-up bright?
“Behavior Factors” -- “... Safety Board could not determine conclusively that the captain was reading at the onset of the accident sequence. Coworkers established that it was his habit to read in flight with the cockpit thunderstorm lights set on bright. On the CVR transcript, the captain made a comment about lighting that may have referred to adjusting cockpit lights for reading ... If the captain was reading, regardless of the nature of the material, he would have been distracted ... Safety Board recognizes that operational material is read by flightcrew ... However, reading of nonoperational material is not a good practice because it detracts from the pilot’s primary duty, and therefore should not be tolerated in an airplane cockpit.... possible that the captain was inattentive ... and that his inattention was a factor ...”
[From aar pg 29, Zantop 931/ 30May84. CVR indicated gyro problem during CLB, \\ Zantop CVR preserved the pilot's comments about the suspected Attitude displays: "Gyro's ah screwed-up ---- * ... Wings level now.... Chuck could you switch it over to Number One ..." \\ crew selected #1 VG to drive both ADIs; entered right descending spiral as IAS increased; inflight break-up, debris spread over large area. P.C.-- entry into unusual attitude and inability of the flight crew to analyze the flight condition before there was a complete loss of control . . . an undetermined failure of a component in the #2 Vertical Gyro system . . . amplifier and associated circuitry . . . bad data to Copilot's horizon indicator. Speculation included that Captain had a history of turning cockpit lighting full bright during night flights (so he could read while the F/O flew the aircraft), CVR had sounds of pages turning, lack of outside visual clues inhibited the F/O's recognition of the developing upset.]
Here's an example where each of the pilots was doing routing pilot-chores, and thus were simultaneously busy, delaying upset recognition:
-- Evergreen International Airways, (under JAL charter, "JAL41E") a B747-121 (cargo), roll upset, supersonic dive, about 4:20am CST Thursday 12Dec91, 35nm SE Nakina Ont (near Thunderbay, Ontario). With autopilot engaged (Channel A, Alt Hold, INS nav, Auto Throttles Off), FL310, Cruise M.84, at night with no visual horizon; while Capt was busy turned outboard looking down (left & down), F/O completing nav log, the aircraft entered a steep bank; INS FAIL annunciation illuminated, pilots looked-up, "oh-uh", suspected ADI failure, rolled to 96 degree right bank, (press reported a 45 degree nose-down pitch)....
-- Jet Link Flt 2733 (Continental Express) / 29Apr93, Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia (N27406), upset at 1533 CDT, landed at 1555 CDT, near Pine Bluff Arkansas 3 crew/27pax. Upset in IMC, icing conditions, climbing through 17000 feet aircraft stalled, aircraft out of control (time 1533:16) --entered inverted spin. Control regained at 5500 feet. Left engine nacelle structure damaged, three prop blades missing, engine almost broken from wing ... Board blamed captain for failure to "maintain professional cockpit discipline, inattention to flight instruments ..." At the time of the upset, Captain with engaged in conversation with the F/A (noting snow on windscreen), and the F/O was busy with logbook duties and eating crew meal. Just prior to upset captain noted "ball" (in Turn-and-Slip indicator) slewed full left and Rudder Trim at full right (10 units)....
Question: While the other pilot is out-of-cockpit (in the Lav), isn't OK for the remaining pilot to get out-of-seat?-- to retrieve his paperback-book from his suitcase, stowed in the back corner of the flightdeck??? He'll just be out-of-seat for a minute or two. [It happened.] He needs his book to read, while the other pilot is out-of-cockpit.
-- Jet Link Flt 2733 (Continental Express) / 29Apr93, Embraer EMB-120RT Brasilia (N27406), upset at 1533 CDT, landed at 1555 CDT, near Pine Bluff Arkansas 3 crew/27pax. Upset in IMC, icing conditions, climbing through 17000 feet aircraft stalled, aircraft out of control (time 1533:16) --entered inverted spin. Control regained at 5500 feet. Left engine nacelle structure damaged, three prop blades missing, engine almost broken from wing ... Board blamed captain for failure to "maintain professional cockpit discipline, inattention to flight instruments ..." At the time of the upset, Captain with engaged in conversation with the F/A (noting snow on windscreen), and the F/O was busy with logbook duties and eating crew meal. Just prior to upset captain noted "ball" (in Turn-and-Slip indicator) slewed full left and Rudder Trim at full right (10 units)....
Last edited by IGh; 16th Aug 2010 at 16:59.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: in the mist
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As an Airbus A320 captain myself with over 30 years in military and commercial aviation, I personally find such behaviour extremely non-professional and akin to poor airmanship.
Personally I think reading is good for mental health. So is having a chat with your colleague. It makes for a more pleasant working environment. Freedom to relax a bit and have a chat if you want to or read a book/paper is good. It means when something concerns you, you are more likely to become vocal about it if you're relaxed and the skipper is approachable. Jokes and anecdotes are good for crm too.
Who likes doing a crossword or a sudoku in the cruise?
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: WORLD
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi everybody
I meet pilots who have been able to get a Diploma (University) thanks to take advantage of long haul flights, as they were able to study.
In a short sector you have to be planning ahead for normal events and be prepared for unexpected contingencies. To read newspapers or something like that overflying Germany, France, Swiss, etc is not a good idea because these areas are saturated and you have to pay attention.
So, it depends on the flight time and the pilots.
I meet pilots who have been able to get a Diploma (University) thanks to take advantage of long haul flights, as they were able to study.
In a short sector you have to be planning ahead for normal events and be prepared for unexpected contingencies. To read newspapers or something like that overflying Germany, France, Swiss, etc is not a good idea because these areas are saturated and you have to pay attention.
So, it depends on the flight time and the pilots.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Age: 41
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all, I am also guilty of reading in the cockpit... I fly short-haul within Europe and usually try to have a good conversation with the person sitting next to me....
But if you're flying with each other, 4 sectors a day for 5 days, stuff to talk about starts running out, quite often because there is a generation gap between the FO and the capt.
I think reading during the cruise is no problem what so ever. During climb, during descent and whenever the other person is out of the cockpit I put down my newspaper and have all my attention on the aircraft.
As some people have said in this thread, try keeping a constant eye on the screens and dials at 0300z during your 5th early of that week... It's counter-productive, you start missing even more things in my opinion.
If a capt would ask me to put down my newspaper, I would not have a problem with that, but I would ask him/her as to their reasoning behind it (good CRM!). At least food for a good discussion and before you know it, it's time to get the approach plates out
But if you're flying with each other, 4 sectors a day for 5 days, stuff to talk about starts running out, quite often because there is a generation gap between the FO and the capt.
I think reading during the cruise is no problem what so ever. During climb, during descent and whenever the other person is out of the cockpit I put down my newspaper and have all my attention on the aircraft.
As some people have said in this thread, try keeping a constant eye on the screens and dials at 0300z during your 5th early of that week... It's counter-productive, you start missing even more things in my opinion.
If a capt would ask me to put down my newspaper, I would not have a problem with that, but I would ask him/her as to their reasoning behind it (good CRM!). At least food for a good discussion and before you know it, it's time to get the approach plates out
126807
You are indeed a relic of a bygone age. In these automated days it is far better for a pilot to keep his arousal level ( no smut please
) at an acceptable level by reading a newspaper or indeed a book whilst in the cruise.
Far better that, than gazing out of the window and dozing off in the middle of the night halfway across the Atlantic - for those with no experience of longhaul, trust me, it can be extremely boring !
My company uses laptops for all its manuals and notices, so we are often wading through relevant information during the cruise when not much else is going on during the flight. Once all the paperwork is complete - electronic or otherwise, I will happily read a newspaper or battle through the fiendish sudoku puzzle in the Times or Telegraph. What is the difference between 'relevant' or 'non-relevant' material - it makes no difference at all.
Mind you, I did get a little irate when one of the new troops started to watch Top Gear on his laptop at 30W - he did'nt watch it for long !!!
You are indeed a relic of a bygone age. In these automated days it is far better for a pilot to keep his arousal level ( no smut please
) at an acceptable level by reading a newspaper or indeed a book whilst in the cruise.Far better that, than gazing out of the window and dozing off in the middle of the night halfway across the Atlantic - for those with no experience of longhaul, trust me, it can be extremely boring !
My company uses laptops for all its manuals and notices, so we are often wading through relevant information during the cruise when not much else is going on during the flight. Once all the paperwork is complete - electronic or otherwise, I will happily read a newspaper or battle through the fiendish sudoku puzzle in the Times or Telegraph. What is the difference between 'relevant' or 'non-relevant' material - it makes no difference at all.
Mind you, I did get a little irate when one of the new troops started to watch Top Gear on his laptop at 30W - he did'nt watch it for long !!!