Sterile Cockpit
From the CAP National Safety Newsletter The Sentinel -
May 02
It's no secret. When a pilot's attention is diverted from the task of
maintaining aircraft control, the chance of having a mishap increases. One
way to help avoid mishaps, especially taxi mishaps like I previously
described, is by utilizing a "sterile cockpit." No, its not a new
blood-borne pathogen requirement. Nor is it a pilot condition caused by
ozone depletion. The term refers to making the cockpit "sterile of
distraction." When should you have a sterile cockpit? Anytime the workload
is high and concentration is of the utmost importance. To emphasize my point
again - distractions can result in mishaps, especially when the workload
is high. High workload generally occurs when the aircraft transitions
from one phase of flight to another - basically, all of the taxi and flight
phases except the cruise portion. Taxi ops can have its fair share of
distractions; making and listening to radio calls, accomplishing checklists,
setting up navigational equipment, looking at the chart, etc. So, how do we
make the cockpit free of distraction? First, do everything you can before
the aircraft begins to move or after the aircraft is parked. Additionally,
limit conversation to only that which is absolutely required to safely
conduct the flight. You should brief your desire for a sterile cockpit not
only to your crew, but to your passengers as well. Be sure to let everyone
know that they should not hesitate to point out traffic or bring attention
to anything they feel affects the safety of flight.
