Cabin Talks By Pilots Not Favoured By N.A.C.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30004, 13 December 1962, Page 15

Cabin Talks By Pilots Not Favoured By N.A.C.

The National Airways Corporation is not in favour of passenger-visits to flight decks, or cabin-talks by pilots during aircraft flights. While acknowledging such visits give surface impressions of cordiality and courtesy, the N.A.C. considers that however desirable it may appear to be, any action which could lower safety and efficiency for even the briefest period is not to be condoned.

From time to time N.A.C. management has received suggestions from staff members and the public that pilots or co-pilots should make short visits to the cabin during flights to talk with passengers, or that some passengers should visit the flight deck. In support of such suggestions it is pointed out that other airlines permit such interchange of visits and that because of its attitude N.A.C was missing a courteous public relations opportunity. In considering these ideas the corporation agrees that at first glance it could appear as if N.A.C.’s restriction, by comparison, creates a negative impression and a poor public relations impact. Summing up the gains from such visits, N.A.C. considers these are more than offset by the consequent lessening of

the corporation’s high safety standards.

“The task of the pilot and the co-pilot is to provide safe and efficient aircraft operation at all times. Any action, however desirable it may appear to be, which could lower safety and efficiency for even the briefest period will not be condoned by the corporation,” says the airline. The corporation says it is significant that in the last 18 months or so the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States has enforced regulations of this type very stringently on United States airlines. The F.A.A. regulations apply without exception to all commercial aircraft. in all circumstances.