Passenger Safety (Generic) Briefing Card

[James Anderson]

Looking for input or a card currently being used to brief a passenger
with regards to what is going to happen during take-off/emergencies/
tow/flight/thermaling/pattern/landing. What to touch/not touch in the
cockpit/ etc. Trying to put my thoughts together and would like some
additional input. Do not want to reinvent the wheel if I don't have
to. There was some discussion today during a "Spring Refresher" at
our club wrt this and standardizing the briefing. Of course, in
Florida we haven't stopped flying like the "great white north/mid-west/
northeast/etc. LOL. Your thoughts/suggestions will be welcomed.

r/Jim

[Tony V]

James Anderson wrote:
> Looking for input or a card currently being used to brief a passenger.....

sorry, the devil made me do it :-)
http://www.bumpertalk.com/bumpertalk/BC148A.html

Tony LS6-b "6N"

[James Anderson]

On Feb 26, 8:45*pm, Tony V > wrote:
> James Anderson wrote:
> > Looking for input or a card currently being used to brief a passenger......
>
> sorry, the devil made me do it :-)http://www.bumpertalk.com/bumpertalk/BC148A.html
>
> Tony LS6-b "6N"

That would work but ... not quite what I was looking for. Though I
have used that when I was younger (another life that was
indestructible) and had a much faster car!

[Walt Connelly]

On Feb 26, 8:45*pm, Tony V wrote:
James Anderson wrote:
Looking for input or a card currently being used to brief a passenger......

sorry, the devil made me do it :-)http://www.bumpertalk.com/bumpertalk/BC148A.html

Tony LS6-b "6N"

That would work but ... not quite what I was looking for. Though I
have used that when I was younger (another life that was
indestructible) and had a much faster car!

You could stand in front of the glider before hook up and do that thing that the flight attendants do before take off, pointing to everything. Really what can you tell a passenger? When I take friends up it's more, "just don't touch anything. Especially that yellow knob."

Walt

[Scott[_7_]]

On 2-27-2011 14:28, Walt Connelly wrote:

When I take friends up it's more,
> "just don't touch anything. Especially that yellow knob."
>
> Walt
>
>
>
>
And make sure they understand Navy protocol regarding "Eject, Eject,
Eject!" ;)

[T8]

On Feb 27, 2:47*pm, Scott > wrote:
> On 2-27-2011 14:28, Walt Connelly wrote:
>
> When I take friends up it's more,> "just don't touch anything. Especially that yellow knob."
>
> > Walt
>
> And make sure they understand Navy protocol regarding "Eject, Eject,
> Eject!" *;)

"...and in the unlikely event of a water landing, we'll paddle to the
nearest land mass. If this turns out to be an island, we'll just sit
and think and fret until someone notices and shows up with a boat, a
rope and some big inner tubes."

http://tinyurl.com/6zea5gf

[vontresc]

On Feb 27, 2:05*pm, T8 > wrote:
> On Feb 27, 2:47*pm, Scott > wrote:
>
> > On 2-27-2011 14:28, Walt Connelly wrote:
>
> > When I take friends up it's more,> "just don't touch anything. Especially that yellow knob."
>
> > > Walt
>
> > And make sure they understand Navy protocol regarding "Eject, Eject,
> > Eject!" *;)
>
> "...and in the unlikely event of a water landing, we'll paddle to the
> nearest land mass. *If this turns out to be an island, we'll just sit
> and think and fret until someone notices and shows up with a boat, a
> rope and some big inner tubes."
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6zea5gf

Actually I don't tell my passengers what the big yellow handle is for.
I've heard too many stories (some actually first hand) of scared
passengers pulling on the release at the wrong time. Normally I have
them pull the release once we get to the top of the tow.

Usually I'll explain how to enter/exit the glider, and how to operate
the canopy first. Then I'll show them the controls and instruments.
After they get in I'll show them how to buckle in, and then tell them
it's another $5 to show them how to undo the seatbelts :-)

Pete

[Tony V]

> "...and in the unlikely event of a water landing, we'll paddle to the
> nearest land mass. If this turns out to be an island, we'll just sit
> and think and fret until someone notices and shows up with a boat, a
> rope and some big inner tubes."
>
> http://tinyurl.com/6zea5gf


Since we already have an "Admiral" in our midst (UH), it wouldn't do to
have two. So, Rick (RR) is now "Commodore".

Tony

[Mike Ash]

In article >,
Walt Connelly > wrote:

> James Anderson;763762 Wrote:
> > On Feb 26, 8:45*pm, Tony V wrote:-
> > James Anderson wrote:-
> > Looking for input or a card currently being used to brief a
> > passenger......-
> >
> > sorry, the devil made me do it
> > :-)http://www.bumpertalk.com/bumpertalk/BC148A.html
> >
> > Tony LS6-b "6N"-
> >
> > That would work but ... not quite what I was looking for. Though I
> > have used that when I was younger (another life that was
> > indestructible) and had a much faster car!
>
> You could stand in front of the glider before hook up and do that thing
> that the flight attendants do before take off, pointing to everything.
> Really what can you tell a passenger? When I take friends up it's more,
> "just don't touch anything. Especially that yellow knob."

At minimum, I tell (and demonstrate) that the spoilers make a loud noise
when they come out and it's nothing to be afraid of, how to close and
lock the canopy, how to strap in, and the three things they are Not
Allowed to Touch in Flight: rope release, canopy release, radio PTT
button.

Additional bonus items are how to adjust the volume on the radio and
vario if they're flying up front, what the instruments have to say, and
other fun tidbits like that.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

[CindyB[_2_]]

On Feb 26, 5:27*pm, James Anderson > wrote:
> Looking for input or a card currently being used to brief a passenger
> with regards to what is going to happen

Passenger Briefing Card concepts

What is the purpose of the flight?
A ride? Briefing One.
A lesson? Briefing Two, as appropriate to the flight lesson plan.

For the first timer passenger, you have to realize they are already
overwhelmed by unvoiced thoughts, worries, adrenaline, anxiety. A
briefing should be simple, encouraging, and upbeat. I find it very
normal to hear stories of telling people –“ don’t this, don’t that...”
and those are the only things they hear, and hence the only things
they recall under duress.

I tell them first – YOU are in command. This flight is for YOU, even
though I have to fly the machine for you. You can choose what we do,
how short the flight might become, when we return and what we will
do. If you are having a good time, we will fly more. If you don’t
like what I do, tell me and I will stop. If I do something you like,
tell me and we can do more of that part! That makes them smile. I
tell them that if I want to fly for myself, I will not take a
passenger along.
You are not SHOWING then what a great pilot you are.
You are NOT showing them how magnificent lift can be.
You are being an ambassador for aviation on this flight. Make them
happy, not you.

Place them in the cockpit; adjust things to be comfortable and secure.
Show them everything that will need to move, controls, trim, canopy
latches. Explain that you are moving these parts from the other
cockpit, that you have all the same controls and instruments, that
they do not need to do anything, else they wish to and you choose to
allow it.

Show them how to stow personal equipment safely. I prefer that
cameras and water bottles get stuffed down the inside of a neckline,
to confine them inside clothing between belts on the chest. It is
accessible (unlike pockets) and secure. Send all extra gear away with
their friends (cell phones, car keys, purses or man bags) telling them
you are making them comfortable in the seat.

In very hot climates like mine, I wrap a wet towel around the nape of
their neck for cooling. There are two schools of thoughts about
discussing airsickness. One is to watch and manage and have a bag
ready, and avoid the subject, and not introduce the thought (my
plan). The other plan is to admit some folks are sensitive to motion,
to advise them to tell you if they notice onset and HAVE a BIG bag. I
have gallon plastic zip-locs, and use them seldom. Don’t launch
without a bag on board with a first timer. The wet towel can be used
for a freshen up, wiping face, hands, and arms if uneasiness begins,
while you are expediting a prompt smooth descent. Often the towel off
will keep them distracted enough to let you land before an eruption.

For a first time ride, I keep instrument discussion to a minimum. I
focus on the countryside and the potential view. Having them look out
precludes motion sensitivity. Don’t let them stare through a video
camera. Motion is too enhanced with a narrow field of view. They may
use a camera without the viewfinder, and it will work out fine. If
they hold any camera, have them clamp elbows on their ribs to keep
lenses off canopies.

I check their straps before I enter the cockpit, typically. At the
last moment, I hold their hands in their lap, and I am the one who
points to jettison lever or release knob, and explain colors and
results that are bad. I was once told that a briefing included,
“Don’t touch things red or dusty.” That still seems to apply, and
elicits a smile and a bit of comic relief.

Then I show them ME grasping pretend straps in front of my chest…..
THIS is where I want you to hold onto, if you get surprised. Show me,
now. And they grasp their chest straps. I gush encouragement and
praise. This is positive reinforcement. And it always works for me.
When things get bumpy or they are unsure, I have a signal I can see
from the rear to know to make mellow and reassuring choices and
conversation.

I spend little discussion on emergency procedures to them. I just
keep up a running litany of what I am doing, why and what will happen
next. After a few minutes of this prep and do process of flight, they
trust that this is not hodge-podge happen stance, that it is all
planned and progressive, and they relax for a great time.

Remember, this whole process began with you wishing to be an
Ambassador for soaring. A checklist is a fine and useful thing,
especially for those persons beginning their ride efforts. It can be
tailored to include more information based on the experience of the
rider. But truly, brief is best. Soaring flight sells itself.

Cindy B
www.caracole-soaring.com

[John Cochrane[_2_]]

Wise words Cindy! I think it's clear you've done this a few times!

A few extras.

Every flight has a purpose. The purpose of the first flight is to
become accustomed to the sighs, sounds, and feeling of motion of a
glider.

A lot of airsickness comes from nervousness. They don't know that the
bump you just felt is meaningless. The main point of the first flight
is "mind, tell stomach that everything is OK" The point of the
briefing is to give them the knowledge to help them digest that
everthing is ok.

My briefing is "what to expect." I explain that we will roll down the
runway, and it will be a bit bumpy. We're driving down a grass runway
without suspension at 40 mph after all. I explain that a bit of
bumpiness and G forces are normal, not endangering my control of the
glider at all.

I explain what the liftoff will look and feel like. I explain it will
be a bit bumpy for the first few hundred feet of tow but then will
smooth out. As we near tow release I tell them they will hear a noise
and the towplane will depart, this is normal. I point out the quiet
once we've released tow. I explain there is nothing -- nothing -- they
can do to the controls that I can't recover from (so long as they let
go when I ask!) I explain the extra noise and turbulence of dive
brakes, so they don't think something went wrong.

Our job is to anticipate all the things they don't know about a glider
that will make them nervous about the experience.

Do first flights early or late, in smooth air. Do not thermal. Do not
exceed 20 degrees bank. Nobody has ever failed to take a second flight
because the first one was boring. Many have sworn off gliding forever
because they got sick.

Like Cindy, I don't even explain the instruments. I want them looking
outside. I point out interesting things to look at.

I don't allow cameras or video. There is no way they will produce any
pictures or video of any value at all, and they may lose it or get it
jammed in the wrong place. They are sure to get sick staring through a
lens. Trying to do airborne photography on a first flight interferes
completely with the purpose of the flight -- getting used to the
sights, sounds, and feelings of being in a glider.

Giving rides is only done well if it is supremely boring for the
pilot. At best, flying so as to minimize g loading is a fun exercise.

My one failure was with a kid. The vario beeped slightly. He asked
what that meant. I answered "that's an instrument that says we're
going up, so everything is great." The vario went silent. He
interpreted that as "now, we're not ok", became very nervous and
eventually sick. Big lesson learned!

John Cochrane

[Tony V]

John Cochrane wrote:

> My one failure was with a kid. The vario beeped slightly. He asked
> what that meant. I answered "that's an instrument that says we're
> going up, so everything is great." The vario went silent. He
> interpreted that as "now, we're not ok", became very nervous and
> eventually sick. Big lesson learned!

You do need to be careful in what you say.During a CFI refresher clinic,
the instructor told the following:

When flying power in the pattern, he liked to set flaps and engine on
downwind, abeam the numbers, so that he would make his turns and nail
the numbers without further touching the engine or flaps. One day, he
was giving a ride to 3 non-flyers and the pattern wasn't quite working
out the way he planned. What he said was "aw, we're not going to make it".

Tony

[Cliff Hilty[_4_]]

Agreed, One of our instructors had an elderly (80 years young)
woman on a first ride in a blanik L 13 on a winch tow! When they were
about 600 feet the winch quit. Now that in itself was not the problem, you
see he found himself in a litttle thermal and being the good glider pilot
he was he declared " I think I can save it!" She simply said "do you
best" and profusely thanked him when the eventually landed for "saving
her life"!

A matter of semantics!



>out the way he planned. What he said was "aw, we're not going to make
it".
>
>Tony
>