The ethics of in-cockpit photography?
Discussion
This - http://qz.com/233165/the-pilots-of-instagram-beaut... - raises some interesting questions.
Clearly, it's not appropriate for PIC (or P2, for that matter) to be handling cameras at critical phases of flight... but is it really a problem to have some GoPros running?
A ban on use of laptops even in the cruise on long-haul journeys seems excessive to me, too.
Clearly, it's not appropriate for PIC (or P2, for that matter) to be handling cameras at critical phases of flight... but is it really a problem to have some GoPros running?
A ban on use of laptops even in the cruise on long-haul journeys seems excessive to me, too.
RoverP6B said:
A ban on use of laptops even in the cruise on long-haul journeys seems excessive to me, too.
What ban? Most airlines have done away with paperwork and pilots are using laptops and iPads in flight as they are issued by their employers precisely for that purpose.
That article vaguely talks about regulations without quoting them as they mostly don't exist.
Seems like it's one thing using iPads for the flight, but quite another using them or laptops for other purposes.
Can't speak for what our own Campaign Against Aviation has to say, but in the US, Federal Aviation Regulation 121.542(d) says the following: "During all flight time as defined in14 CFR 1.1, no flight crewmember may use, nor may any pilot in command permit the use of, a personal wireless communications device (as defined in 49 U.S.C. 44732(d)) or laptop computer while at a flight crewmember duty station unless the purpose is directly related to operation of the aircraft, or for emergency, safety-related, or employment-related communications, in accordance with air carrier procedures approved by the Administrator."
Can't speak for what our own Campaign Against Aviation has to say, but in the US, Federal Aviation Regulation 121.542(d) says the following: "During all flight time as defined in14 CFR 1.1, no flight crewmember may use, nor may any pilot in command permit the use of, a personal wireless communications device (as defined in 49 U.S.C. 44732(d)) or laptop computer while at a flight crewmember duty station unless the purpose is directly related to operation of the aircraft, or for emergency, safety-related, or employment-related communications, in accordance with air carrier procedures approved by the Administrator."
What a terrible article. It's almost tabloidesque in it's rhetoric and massive lack of any actuals things like facts.
No sensible person would ever condone the handling of a camera during critical phases of flight. Using them in the cruise or fixing them and leaving the thing running? Well, that is a very different matter.
No sensible person would ever condone the handling of a camera during critical phases of flight. Using them in the cruise or fixing them and leaving the thing running? Well, that is a very different matter.
Not too keen on it myself. My grounding in professionalism came in a small airline where the chief pilot's usual approach to dealing with some minor infraction, such as a pilot beating hell out of his sister's neighbourhood in a DC-3, or a former Dambuster and Mosquito pilot terrorising the passengers on a train by demonstrating to his F.O. in an Aztek his approach to bombing tunnels, usually began with words like "Who do you think you are - ME?!" followed by a mild telling-off that suggested he didn't really mind. We never, ever bent an aeroplane, and maintained far higher standards of punctuality than any other UK airline - to the extent that the engineers, cleaners, baggage handlers etc went to the bosses to ask for the threshold above which the delays committee examined a late departure to be lowered! Said chief pilot was one of several highly-rated ex-test pilots on the payroll. The stuff we got away with in those days... it just couldn't happen now, and I think that's rather sad, because, as I said, we still had an absolutely clean safety record - about the worst we ever had was a noseleg collapse on landing.
RoverP6B said:
What is interesting - it's what prompted me to start this thread - is that the other day a pilot landing at Gatwick, at night, in thick fog, posted to Twitter and Instagram a couple of short video clips, then promptly deleted his accounts... realised he'd got himself in trouble?
Was it definitely a pilot that took the video? There could be cruise pilots, positioning crew, engineers, cabin crew and all sorts of people sitting in the flight deck during an auto land who aren't actually sitting in the captain or first officers seat. Obviously the camera could be filming from a fixed position also, enabling the crew to carry out their pilot stuff unaffected.
As to deleting it, I don't think any pilot (or any other normal person) would want anything linking him/her to their employer appearing on the news. They all remember what happened to Peter Burkill and any of their colleagues that have ended up in the media.
Usually it goes like this,
1) have an accident/incident
2) media find out who you are and call you a hero
3) Publish house value/Facebook photos/neighbours testimonials
4) photos and stories appear from random people looking to make a few £££
Edited by el stovey on Wednesday 4th November 10:18
el stovey said:
Was it definitely a pilot that took the video? There could be cruise pilots, positioning crew, engineers, cabin crew and all sorts of people sitting in the flight deck during an auto land who aren't actually sitting in the captain or first officers seat.
I'd still rather have them concentrating on their jobs and being ready to act if something goes wrong, rather than thinking 'Ooh this will look good on Facebook'. Social media is for when you haven't got anything more important to do and there's nothing on telly.Simpo Two said:
el stovey said:
Was it definitely a pilot that took the video? There could be cruise pilots, positioning crew, engineers, cabin crew and all sorts of people sitting in the flight deck during an auto land who aren't actually sitting in the captain or first officers seat.
I'd still rather have them concentrating on their jobs and being ready to act if something goes wrong, rather than thinking 'Ooh this will look good on Facebook'. Social media is for when you haven't got anything more important to do and there's nothing on telly.
el stovey said:
But the part you quoted was a list of people in the flight deck who could be filming and aren't having to concentrate on flying the aircraft. 
I know that. They may not have their hands on the yoke but I'd prefer them to be paying attention not giggling over silly photos.
Simpo Two said:
el stovey said:
But the part you quoted was a list of people in the flight deck who could be filming and aren't having to concentrate on flying the aircraft. 
I know that. They may not have their hands on the yoke but I'd prefer them to be paying attention not giggling over silly photos.
Simpo Two said:
So why are they on the flight deck?
Crew never had to prat about with social media, they don't now.
It can be positioning cabin crew, positioning flight crew, engineers for remote destinations etc. They are utilising free seats and nothing more. They are untrained and possibly unable to monitor the actions of the operating crew. If there were free seats in the cabin they'd be on them. Crew never had to prat about with social media, they don't now.
HTH.
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