One of the most enticing sights for an aviation geek is getting the chance to peek into the flight deck when boarding the aircraft. It does not take a lot to notice that the flight deck’s door is wide open while the aircraft is being prepared for departure, but do you know the exact reasoning behind the globally followed procedure? Let’s take a look into the industry and find out why this is the case.
A pilot’s job extends to more than merely flying the plane
Overall, cockpit doors need to be kept open due to the number of people that need to enter and exit the flight deck before departure. For instance, the First Officer is required to leave to conduct an external walk-around preflight before returning. Along with this, keeping the door open allows the Captain to monitor the boarding procedure. Of course, non-pilots may also come in and out.
Not just pilots in the cockpit
An airplane undergoes several key checks before a flight, so a technician needs to provide airworthy approval to the pilots before they are cleared to commence operations. Fueling staff provide the pilots with a fueling slip, used to confirm if the right quantities are loaded in the right tanks. While we have touched upon pilots and ground staff, we mustn’t forget that flight attendants also come and go.
Indeed, the cabin crew of a given flight are also responsible for coordinating with the pilots during the boarding process, handing them a list and count of passengers who are onboard the flight. This information is provided along with any last-minute changes that may have occurred during the boarding process, such as missing passengers, canceled transits, or upgrades in the traveling class.
Once the pilots are satisfied with the information that they have received from the different departments working on getting the plane ready, they order for the door to be locked. After this, they are subsequently able to begin communicating with the air traffic controllers in regard to their pushback and take-off clearance. Once ready, the cockpit doors are usually kept closed for the flight’s duration.
No more flight deck visits
Avgeeks of a certain age will remember the exciting experience of being allowed a visit to the flight deck as children. Back in the late 20th century, this was common practice, with children invited up to see the cockpit, and, in certain situations, even getting the inspiring opportunity to try on the Captain’s hat.
However, since the tragedies involving the 9/11 attacks on September 11th, 2001, security arrangements in this regard have become much stricter. As such, the door to the flight deck is usually kept locked shut throughout the entire duration of the flight, and no passengers are invited up to see the wonders of the cockpit anymore.
Today, the door is opened only for the pilots to be served their meals, when changing shifts, or heading to the bathroom. As deplaning occurs on arrival, the door is wide open again for the same reasons. While there are variations between one airline and another, this is largely the answer to why the door remains open, and why avgeeks can get a peek past the waiting flight attendants at these times.
Source: simpleflying.com