Aero-Tips!
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Aero-Tips 12.04.06
There's a feature of many aircraft intercoms that's not commonly
used, but which has a great role to play in good single-pilot
cockpit management. That feature is "pilot isolation".
The pilot isolation switch controls an intercom mode where the
pilot can communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC), but
passengers in the airplane with headsets cannot hear nor speak to
the pilot. Passengers will also not hear ATC when the isolation
switch is activated, but they will be able to speak among
themselves over the intercom. The idea is to permit a "sterile
cockpit" where the pilot will not be distracted by passengers'
conversations or questions.
When to use it
The pilot isolation switch is best activated just before
takeoff. At a tower-controlled airport, activate this feature just
before taxi if there is a lot of ground traffic or a difficult,
unfamiliar taxi route, or just before calling tower for takeoff
clearance when ready to go. Stay in isolation mode at least until
transitioning into cruise climb and out of the busiest traffic
areas.
Before landing, activate pilot isolation before entering the
traffic pattern, if arriving VFR. If flying an approach, select
this mode before setting up for the approach and, if you get out of
isolation and into the general cabin chatter after setting up,
before beginning the approach itself.
In all cases, stay in isolation mode until clear of the runway
after landing or, if the taxi route is complicated, until ready to
shut down.
Pitfalls
Pitfalls of the pilot isolation mode:
- Passengers may be concerned that you can't hear them, and they
can't hear you. Brief passengers on when you'll use pilot isolation
before you start engines.
- Passengers will not be able to effectively help with cockpit
chores in pilot isolation mode.
- Passengers may not hear emergency instructions if you have to
give them.
Aero-tip of the day: Know when and how to enter
and exit pilot isolation mode with your airplane's intercom.