Valuable Training for Right-Seaters and Passengers

No matter how talented or experienced a pilot is, there is still a great need for him or her to have an alert and knowledgeable partner in command. There is always the possibility that the pilot could become incapacitated or overwhelmed during a flight due to unforeseen, dangerous weather conditions or other complications. No matter what problem arises, it is the right-seater’s duty to ensure that the other passengers and airplane are kept safe if the pilot is no longer able to do so.

The duties and necessary skills of the right-seater are more than meet they eye. For example, does he/she know what to say on a radio, or even how to operate one? How to find and activate the ELT from the right seat? Does he or she have first aid or medical training, including experience dealing with choking victims, hypoxia, carbon monoxide exposure and other flight-relevant issues? Is he or she familiar with how to steer to a CAPS-suitable area using autopilot?

For the answer to all of these questions and many more, Partner in Command training can be of invaluable assistance to any right-seater, or even a passenger. Non-pilot companions who frequently sit next to the pilot, such as spouses or other loved ones, could benefit especially from this training. It is designed to make these frequent flyers more at ease in the aircraft, teach them how to be an active participant in the flight as a resource to the pilot, and explain the availability and use of safety equipment in an emergency, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS).

A few ways in which the partner in command can be of assistance include:

• Assisting in the general safety needs of the captain, himself/herself and the passengers.
• Acting as an extra pair of eyes to watch for bad weather, traffic or other hazards, while also assisting in radio communication and direction.
• Helping passengers in the event of an emergency, and offering emergency parachute assistance in case the pilot is unable to do so.

In addition to our course for partners in command, Coast Flight Training offers an introductory course to help passengers excel in their ability to help. This course covers:

• Basic pilot skills

–       Introduction to radio communications

–       Cockpit resource management

–       Flight maneuvers

• Familiarization with the Cirrus equipment

–       Systems operation

–       GPS use, how to find useful information and autopilot management

–       Procedures for getting help and deploying the CAPS

• Emergency procedures in the event of pilot incapacitation

In certain cases, learning what is available in these courses can mean the difference between life and death. The decision to take one of these extremely helpful courses is a no-brainer!