Pilot’s dos and don’ts

The reason why pilots can’t sport a beard and more mysteries uncovered

Pilots and co-pilots aren’t allowed to have the same meal, but you probably don’t know why. For most travellers, flying means settling in, ordering a drink, and hoping for a smooth ride. But what happens behind the cockpit doors? We trust pilots with our lives, yet few travellers know the intricate details of their job. From why they are clean-shaven to where they sleep, these details make every flight safer. Here’s all you need to know.

In August 1982, a flight from Lisbon to Boston took a frightening turn when most of the crew fell ill midair with food poisoning. Eight out of the 10 crew members were unavailable because they had all eaten the same tainted meal. The life-saving detail: The co-pilot hadn’t.

These kinds of incidents made airlines take a stand: Pilots and co-pilots often eat different meals to ensure that if one gets food poisoning, the other remains healthy to fly the plane. Even though the FAA hasn’t enacted a regulation concerning this, it’s standard airline industry practice.

You’ve probably noticed that most male pilots look like they just stepped out of a barbershop. But it’s not about looking professional for the passengers. The reason why pilots don’t sport a beard is a life-saving one.

In the event of an emergency where the cabin loses pressure, pilots must be able to don an oxygen mask in mere seconds. A clean face ensures a sealed mask. There’s no Federal Aviation Administration regulation against it, but most airlines, like Delta, Southwest, United, American Airlines, and JetBlue, do not allow cockpit crew to wear beards or even goatees, inspired by the U.S. Army regulation 670-1 that states that pilots are required to maintain a clean-shaven face.

You’ve settled in, the plane started moving, and you’re chatting with your seatmate during takeoff. But not the pilots who are following the Sterile Cockpit Rule.

According to a regulation enacted by the FAA in 1981, pilots are prohibited from casual conversation or reading to maintain total focus during critical phases of flight, which include taxiing, takeoff, landing, and flying below 10,000 feet. And that’s not all; the regulation actually states they are prohibited from engaging in any leisure activity that might interfere with their job.

You might assume that, once the plane has reached an appropriate altitude, pilots are chilling in the cockpit with the autopilot on. But that’s not the case. Yes, autopilot is indeed on for 90% of the time, but that doesn’t mean the crew is slacking off.

Actually, autopilot works more like a cruise control on a car; it needs constant supervision. And, still, during critical times like takeoff, landing, and occasional turbulence, the pilot is right there to work the plane manually.

If you’ve ever heard the phrase "eight hours from bottle to throttle," that’s the rule pilots follow when it comes to alcohol. Flying is a precise, demanding, and unforgiving job. That’s why there is zero tolerance for alcohol consumption.

According to guidelines, pilots are not permitted to have even a sip of alcohol within eight hours of flying. Regular tests are carried out to check for alcohol intake, and penalties for positive concentration over 0.04 are immediately removed from duty and referred for education and/or treatment. Alcohol regulations are also strict on passengers, which means the crew could actually prevent a passenger from boarding if they appear to be intoxicated.

Here’s a mind-boggling fact: Planes rarely fly with a full tank. This is not as troubling as it sounds. Fuel is incredibly heavy, and carrying more than necessary makes the plane less efficient and more expensive to fly.

Instead, the experts calculate the exact amount of fuel needed for the specific route, plus a healthy safety reserve. That way, they reduce weight and save on costs while making sure the plane will land safely.

We all get tired after an 8 or 9-hour workday, and pilots are no exception. What is different is that they are responsible for the lives of hundreds of people at a time. So to prevent exhaustion from clouding a pilot’s judgment, the FAA has very strict flight time limitations and rest requirements.

The statute allows pilots to fly for 8 hours within a 24-hour window if they are the sole crew. If there’s a second pilot, that can be extended to 10 hours. Moreover, there is a mandatory rest period that follows the duty time, which usually involves a quiet hotel room and a chance to recharge. We all need a power nap.

Pilots are extraordinary; they make a machine fly over 35,000 feet for hours. But they are still human and, on long flights —say New York to Tokyo— they need to sleep. But where?

Long-haul aircraft have secret crew rest areas, often located above or below the main cabin, where pilots and crew can sleep during their off-duty shifts. Of course, they take turns, and the cockpit is always occupied by at least one of them.

Next time you get off a plane, look at the left wing. If it’s upturned, you’re looking at a secret code between the pilots and the technicians.

After landing, they may leave the left wing upturned. It’s how they indicate to the technicians that they noticed something was not quite right with the wings during the flight. It’s a visual cue that ensures the maintenance team knows exactly where to start their inspection the moment the engines shut down.

If you’re lucky to get a window seat by the wing, don’t just snap a picture of the view; pay attention. You may catch some light flashes, and that’s the pilot’s way of saying "Hello, I’m here" to another plane.

When two aircraft flying in opposite directions pass each other at night, it is quite common for one or both to briefly turn on their landing lights. This is done partially to say hello and also to increase situational awareness.

Pilots don’t just train once and call it a day. Being a pilot requires constant health check-ups. Pilots are required to hold a current medical certificate that is renewed every year.

Considering there are different types of flights, certificates are classed —1st is for airline flights, 2nd for commercial flights, or 3rd, for private flights. Airline pilots are required to present medical certificates every 12 months if they are under 40, and every 6 months if they are over 40. This rigorous process ensures the crew is in top-notch shape, year after year.