3 Short operational questions

[fabbe92]

Hello,

I´ve noticed that planes that arrive in the evening and are scheduled to depart early in the morning remain with the nav lights on. For example I saw a KLM 737 that parked in Gothenburg at 22PM and was scheduled to depart at 07AM had the navlights on and the cabin lights on. The cockpit was dark and crew were long gone. Why? Does this mean that pilots don´t shut the plane down completley when doing the securing checklist?

What is the reason for the cabinlights off during t/o and l/a in darkness? I´ve heard many different reasons.

I noticed on Ryanair that when the captain whent to the toilet, a Flight attendant had to get into the cockpit and stay there untill the captain had gotten in again, why?

Thanks!!

[mitzy69]

leaving lights on at night

aircraft parked at night, crew leave aircraft live and lights on for the cabin to be cleaned, de-catered, and engineers to do daily maintenance checks, then if it is going to be freezing at night then leaving the lights powered and the doors closed will stop the potable water freezing and keep cabin a little warmer. To drain potable water system in all the water boilers, pipes and tanks takes time, and water on the ramps makes a nice ice rink for the loaders and push back tug the next morning.

[potkettleblack]

I noticed on Ryanair that when the captain when to the toilet, a Flight attendant had to get into the cockpit and stay there until the captain had gotten in again, why?

The procedure is there for a couple of reasons. If anything happens to the pilot remaining in the cockpit then the cabin attendant can let the other pilot back in with the minimum of time wastage. Also they can scan the area outside the toilet to make sure no one is loitering with intent and will usually check before opening the door with the remaining pilot who might have access to cameras. Also rules require that at least one pilot remains at the controls at all times. Some aircraft types may require the door to be physically unlocked at the handle which clearly the remaining pilot cannot in reality do properly by themselves whilst flying the aircraft and monitoring the radios. Sometimes the remote door unlocking mechanisms will be u/s as well so the pilot cannot open the door themselves from their cockpit seat so we will need a helping hand.

[Kirks gusset]

Dimming Cabin Lights for Take and and Landing during hours of reduced light is to allow for the pax to become acclimatised in the event of an evacuation.

Leaving Nav lights on, usually signifies activity on the aircraft, engineers, cleaners etc, indicates to emergency services and the tower, ground crews there may be people on board.

In aircraft where no flight deck camera is installed, the SOPs can include the requirement for cabin staff to remain in the flight deck while crew take comfort breaks. Other reasons have been highlighted, other procedures will not be discussed on these forums for security reasons.

There is no difinative answers to your questions due differing SOPs, however, the dimming of cabin lights is standard practice.

[Microburst2002]

Are not the nav lights required by Icao annex 2? 6? to be on as long as there is someone in the airplane (crew, engineers)?

Sometimes I find interesting things in those annexes. For instance, it is mandatory to use headsets below a given altitude, I don't remember if it was 10,000 or TA or which one.

[rudderrudderrat]

Are not the nav lights required by Icao annex 2? 6?

I thought that if the very large thermo nuclear reactor was visible in the sky, then you didn't need Nav Lights.