Your rights as a small aircraft passenger

January 2, 10:38 AMAlaska Transportation ExaminerGeorge Angus

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Alaska Transportation Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo courtesy of PenAir

Anytime you are riding as a passenger in a small aircraft you have a certain set of rights that you need to be aware of and follow.

For example, when your airline service arrives in Dillingham and you are going to board a small aircraft for the flight to your village, there are some things the pilot will expect from you, and some things you can expect and ask from the pilot.

You are entitled to ask the pilot about:

• The location of the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)  - usually near the tail of the aircraft - and the location of the survival equipment.
• How to exit the airplane during an emergency
• All of the cargo being tied down and secure
• A seat and seat belt for every passenger
• A preflight safety briefing
• The weight and balance of the aircraft
• The takeoff and loading performance for the aircraft at this weight
• The weather conditions and filing of a flight plan

A pilot can reasonably expect you to:

• Comply with their decisions as to loading of the aircraft
• Accept the nature of VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flight and the possibility of delays or cancellation of the trip
• Follow their instructions in the event of an emergency

OK, there are some things you do NOT have the right to ask the pilot:

• To carry a payload beyond the weight and balance limitations of the aircraft
• To take off or land at an airstrip which is less than the length required by the aircraft
• To flow below 500 feet except during take off and landing.  Duh.
• To fly into weather which the pilot considers unsafe
• To fly beyond allowable duty time limits
• To take risks by continuing a flight for the sake of meeting one of your prior commitments

 In Alaska, there are so many of us that fly on a regular basis that it becomes easy to take a flight without second thought.  There is a lot of scrap aluminum lining several passes that stand as a testament as to why this is a bad idea.  Take the time to help ensure the safety of your flight.

This list is courtesy of the FAA Aviation Safety Program, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office