How I Brief Passengers BEFORE a Flight 

One additional thing I always brief - The Go Around - I always tell passengers that on landing, if I don't like something going on or decide to abort the landing, I will put power back in and we will go around the airport traffic pattern and try it again. I do this so they are not startled in the event of a sudden go around decision, and I tell them it is not a negative or bad thing that happened, and we do that often - nothing to be concerned about.

I use the acronym SAFETY S-seatbelts A-Air-vents F-fire E-exits T-talking/traffic Y-your questions

I love how you stand/stay outside of the cockpit while you deliver your briefing. It in turn feels more like a conversation since you’re facing them, versus just going over mandates w/ your back to them. Will definitely start adding that aspect into my routine. Great delivery and great video!

You mentioned the questions in an important way. Asking "What questions do you have?" instead of "Are there any questions" is much more welcoming and can lead to a passenger asking something that they might not have otherwise. Great video, adding this to my checklist!

I always include the following: I explain the motions and feelings throughout the planned flight, and that we will stay in the pattern first. One trip around the pattern gives them every feeling and motion they will experience the rest of the time... acceleration, climb, turns, bumps, level flight, deceleration, descents, noise, radio work. If at a towered airport I ask for the option. After once around, and we touch down I will look for a thumbs up or thumbs down from them. If thumbs up we go for the full flight. If thumbs down, we pull off and are done. Knowing they have the option before even taking off makes them a whole lot less nervous.

Great idea to add the checklist to foreflight and refrence each step! One piece I recently added to my passenger brief is "Dog Operations." With our family dog, it just details who is responsible for watching, feeding, and monitoring the dog, and what to do if he starts hating the flight, and what to do with him in any emergencies. An additional condsideration might be for solo-pilot ops with a dog, or dogs who are unfamiliar with cockpits/airports/flying. Either way, 70+lbs of fur and claws should not be overlooked in a confined space, even if they are "very good bois."

4:52 - totally relatable, every RU-vid video I've ever made on any of my 4 channels... This is a really solid pre-flight passenger briefing; but after 25 years of flying I also know that that first / second / third time someone flies in a small airplane - they just aren't grasping much if any of my briefing. They are excited, nervous, excited and well having trouble paying attention; because the big event is coming up. So I also have laminated passenger briefing cards that I hand them, I've learned that having them read the brief as I say it helps, but I've also noticed that once in flight and their nerves calm; they read it again and ask questions.

Great content thank you Josh I like to show the front PAX the PTT just in case they need to talk to controllers. Let them fly a little at cruise phase too.

Great video. Love how thorough your pre flight briefing is. One thing I’d share is that I specifically tell my pax to keep their feet off the pedals. At my club we had a pilot land and their pax had their foot on the pedal causing the plane to pull to the right and almost go off the runway. The member/pilot didn’t realize it and thought it was a mechanical issue, and over corrected to the left. Fortunately they rolled out and taxied safely to the ramp. A good lesson for that pilot and a good reminder for all of us.

I think a big thing for my briefs was not only show pax how to unbuckle, and unlatch a door But to make them do it, and then I also get them to show me they know how. This was from flying tours in an R44 I also mention as you do to let me know about other aircraft if they see them, I also ensure I point out aircraft so in case I have seen them and maybe I am occupied doing something else that aircraft may move. I like the check list idea in FF I think I’d better do the same. Great video as always

I have a suggestion! I am a student pilot and am learning safety briefings right off the bat. I am being taught the SAFETY acronym but I'm gonna add stuff to it. You brought up many important things that I'm gonna add! Some things I feel like you should add are air and heating options and controls. Especially controls. Just teaching them the basic controls and how to use the radio will be crucial if you become incapacitated. My control brief goes like this: In the case I become incapacitated, you are going to have to operate the airplane. To steer the plane (make sure to actually interact with the controls for a visual reference); turn the yoke to the left to turn left, turn the yoke right to turn right, pull it towards you to climb, and push it away with you to descend. To speed up push the throttle forward and pull it towards you to lower it. Never let this speed go below (point to desired safe speed on airspeed indicator, in my case it's 80 knots) and use this Horizon and bar to check if you are level. Do not fixate on these, just glanse at them every few seconds. Most importantly press and hold down this button on your yoke, ask for help, and let go when you are done talking. If no one responds in a safe time, click these two buttons (frequency change buttons for com 1 and 2 just in case they are on a frequency no one is on) and try again.

I really like your approach to having passengers involved. I always ask my passengers to say and point out issues they don’t understand and are uncomfortable with. Their observations unfiltered are awesome inputs for flying. I never take for granted unfiltered and new inputs. They just might be life saving.

Thank you Gosh, love your passenger briefing. I will definitely incorporate a lot of your check list in my passenger briefings.

Josh, I always enjoy watching videos from my fellow Texans. Keep up the great work. I am no longer an active pilot, but back in my day I would include my passengers in the pre-flight walk-around. Not only did it give them an idea of how an airplane functions, but talking through it verbally was good for myself as well.

Fantastic video Josh, as a student pilot (still in ground school) I have often thought about doing a passenger briefing. Thank you for covering this subject, I will put this video on my my useful playlist.

I routinely do a fairly thorough passenger briefing with new passengers but yours is more detailed and I plan to incorporate many of these points. Great topic and another fine video!

Josh! I commend you for your consistent commitment to general aviation pilot safety and skill development! Thank you thank you! I hope I have the pleasure of flying with you one day.

I haven't done such detailed passenger briefing in a while since I mainly fly with other pilot friends. We all know what to do and over time have come to an agreement that in case of an emergency who will handle what. When I fly with non-pilots, I try and follow a similar checklist. One thing that you didn't mention and I don't know how important it is considered, (I am in Canada, so I don't know the US regulations very well), is the ELT, I always brief it's location and tell my passengers what it does and to not touch it. (Similarly to the release knob on a glider). I mention that in the case of an emergency I will activate it, but if I physically can't for whatever reason, I will instruct the front seat passenger to press it.

In addition to your list, I advise that in the event of an "off airport landing" that I will say "pop the doors" a little bit before landings. At that point they will unlock the doors use a blanket or clothing to prop it open. (In the Pipers, with dual locks, I explain they work high to low to unlock the doors - top latch then bottom latch.) I explain that in the event of a hard landing the frame may tweak and prevent the doors from opening. In my Piper Lance with club seating, I stash the ER gear in the center console where the ice chest used to be - there is a window breakage hammer, barf bags, etc. I show them to the new folks.

That’s a really good briefing. I don’t get very detailed on the emergency part. I don’t want to scare them away. I do introduce them to the cockpit and show them what not to touch. Their safety and comfort it a top priority. I flew a Waco for a ride hopping business. I have aborted several takeoffs because people got upset stomach’s just from the taxi and anticipation. Great list I don’t think you missed anything.

This video was incredibly helpful. I am currently a student pilot and hope to get my PPL in the next few months and yes, I do want to take some people up to show them what it is that I do, and this I feel will help better prepare me to properly brief passengers, in case of any abnormalities. It also sort of gives me a better idea of what to expect and what I can do to make my passengers a but more comfortable about being in a smaller aircraft.

A master of aviation explaining everything in detail. Been following and enjoying videos for 2 years now.

The microphone briefing yes yes yes. I volunteered at my grandmothers church for a few years doing a/v. the amount of problems solved by giving someone a 15 second briefing on microphones is astounding and obviously in the air even more important. When you demonstrate to someone how much the placement/distance affects the pickup and you see their eyes light up in understanding.

I wish I could trust all pilots like I trust you. You knowledge and professionalism is beyond reproach, your info is unbelievable I really look forward to seeing a new video. Also you give me hope in your generation I am 72 and really confused about people acting like idiots you re a breath of fresh air thank you and God Bless

Great video! From experiences in Zimbabwe, we include where the survival and first aid kits are located, how to use them, how to activate the ELT in the event of an accident if the pilot is incapacitated, and how to operate the radios in the event that the pilot is incapacitated (very basic versions)

Awesome video! I have been guilty of not pre-flighting my passengers as I am a new(ish) pilot. Renting an airplane on a time restriction can lead to hazards as I am trying to get up in the air as quick as possible and therefore forget to talk to my passengers about my preflight. I will also add that I omit my engine out procedure to passengers (or myself) while preparing to take off at a busy airport. I am learning to head to the airport earlier to pre-flight the aircraft while also allowing time to discuss these to my passengers. I pre-flight my aircraft thoroughly but it is certainly time to do the same to my passengers. This is a great tool to use and I honestly have not thought about these in-depth procedures. Great lesson for all pilots!

Thanks for the video Josh. Great topic to discuss.

Thanks for the video Josh 👍been working on putting together a personal passenger briefing for when I get my PPL and this will help alot

Excellent video. Thanks. I once had. 5-6 years girl on the back seat with her mom. I did the briefing to the adults. I forgot to do it to the kid. Somehow she misunderstood something she overheard of my briefing and was scared to death by something, maybe when I bank the plane. We had to come back immediately after takeoff. Once on the ground she became very happy and proud of having flown. Never forget a special briefing for the kids. Next time, I’ll brief the kid, and ask her to brief her parents in turn. 👍😇

Nice video Josh. You mentioned about not grabbing controls. Also a good idea I've found, to mention, where to grab, if they're feeling uneasy/turbulence. Grab the seat. Not the controls. Really good, professional approach to the passenger briefing.

I bought the IFR notepad and IT IS SO HELPFUL!!!! Used it for my checkride and it made sure all my info was on one sheet and easily accessible.

Great advice. I also add to my briefing pilot incapacitation situation, how to use the PTT and request help from ATC, if I am in a plane with an AP with a level button I will explain that, and when I fly a cirrus - how to pull the parachute and shut the engine off after deployment.

I’ve been using the VFR note pad and my last one is about done. I ordered the IFR pad a couple days ago and I got a shipping notification today. Excited to use it.

Great job Josh. Great topic. I have had passengers tell me they felt more safe and got more out of the flight because I told them ahead of time what to expect and what to do in case of an emergency.

Brother, your videos inspired me on June 1, 2022 to get my PPL. I was able to achieve this dream of mine on September 7th, 2022. Thanks to your inspiring videos, I bought my first trainer, N2901A. If you are ever back in SOCAL, I would love to fly with you and thank you for videos that made an impact on my life goals. Cheers, Bruno!

Hey Josh. Thats a great briefing. One thing i tell my passengers as well is that if there is an issue, that it is not a joke or me messing with them. That it is an emergency and we will be fine, stay calm, but that it is not a joke.

Great informative video as usual ... and I love the specs!

I also do my briefing before startup: I go through my takeoff emergency checklist, abort point, if in the air after takeoff, where I am landing, and the procedure after landing. I tell the passengers where my survival kit is stored and lastly how to use the radios after an emergency landing, plus the emergency frequency, 121.5. I give one of the passengers a sticky note with 121.5 written on it as a reminder. I show the passengers my PLB in my survival kit. Great video. As a long CFII, I appreciate your review of the passenger briefing.

That is a very thorough safety briefing,mine is similar but yours covers some more items and the idea of using foreflight is great! I am going to add them up! Great content, keep up the good work!

Wow, great content Josh. I like how I always learn something new from you. 💯

Hi Josh, greetings from Argentina. I´m a long time subscriber to your channel and I don´t recall ever posted a comment before until now. One item I would add to your list (witch was not explained) is the pre-flight briefeing in the case an unexpected event occurre during take-off (or pre-landing for that matter). In such situations your passengers, who are not mostly familiar with small planes, won´t be scared in a potential failure; in that case, you must deal with 2 problems: the emergency and calming your pax. As you said, you are just human; therefor I apreciate very much you let us leave our thoughts. Cheers from NE PAtagonia, Argentina. (a dream place). BTW: I got my PPL 40 years ago in this environment.

When I was flight training we were taught to specifically tell pax to meet 100ft ahead of the aircraft following a forced landing. The idea is that any fuel leaks, fires, sharp bits of metal from the landing will all be behind the plane. Hence, you meet ahead of the plane to verify everyone is ok and decide what to do from there.

EXCELLENT episode!!

Hi Josh, I think you touched on a lot of them. There are 3 suggestions I have that I do: 1. Air vent locations (might’ve slightly touched on that when you’re standing outside the plane briefing where things are and what they should/shouldn’t touch). 2. In the event of an emergency landing where the one/two front seat passengers are incapacitated, I usually tell the backseat passengers how to use and move the front seats, including the seat back. Reason being, that they should get out of the airplane first before trying to help the front two passengers. 3. In the event of emergency, I usually ask them to remain calm as much as practical. I usually finish it off with, “If I ask you to do something, please do it but if you’re uncomfortable doing it, just say so.” Hope this helps!

One thing to consider, might be other safety equipment you may have such as first aid kit, location of flotation aids if they are stowed somewhere.

Great information thanks

When flying with pilot passengers (and especially during an instruction flight) I make sure to brief who is acting PIC and what are the expected actions in the case of an emergency. Usually that sounds like, "I'll be acting PIC for this flight, in the case of an emergency I'll continue to fly the plane unless I decide it would be best for you to take over and then I'll hand control over to you."

Good to also cover what new GA passengers might consider to be extreme attitudes during takeoff and also that turbulence is normal, especially when returning closer to the ground (e.g. the pattern). I also like to cover basic flight controls, that the tail number is our name, and where to find PTT in an emergency. My briefing didn’t include instructions on staying clear of the prop, so I am adding that!

Great briefing tool. One of the things I do a lot over here in the UK is also brief ditching procedures, since many of the flights I do in my Cessna 182 take me over the Channel to France or less often across the Mediterranean. That means usage/operation of lifejackets, dinghy, PLB, strobe light - and of course evacuation procedure and, critically, order of egress once you're on the water. I think too there's a delicate balance between giving passengers sufficient information and scaring the hell out of them. It's important to give the essentials but not to get too bogged down in details about engine failures, doors opening in flight etc. In my experience all they'll do otherwise is wait for those things to happen. And end up hating the flight!

Thank you Josh for this. I never would of thought of a few of these

Mr.Josh, is a very sincere and responsible captain , god bless

Solid list! Here a couple of mine that have been touched on by others here: * Feet off the pedals. Some people instinctively "go for the brakes" when they get nervous * I go as far as to show them where to grab if they need to adjust their seat and, like you, explain why not to grab the yoke * You said "how to unlatch" their belts. You may already do this, but I make them actually practice unlatching their belts and opening/closing the door (and window in a Cessna) * I tell them where the emergency survival kit is * How to operate the vents * I mentioned this in another response, but I show them where the PTT switch is and that they should use it if I become incapacitated One other thing is for folks unfamiliar with being on a ramp (especially young ones), I do a "pre-airplane" briefing as well. Better to do this in the air-conditioning of the FBO than in a broiling cockpit. Talk a little about what we're going to do and what they can expect, including the existence of the safety briefing in the plane and (if it hasn't been done) the preflight, which they are welcome to observe and I'm more than happy to explain every bit of. This is a good opportunity to detect any nerves that are going to cause issues and perhaps calm them. A few items can be discussed here: never stand near any prop or jet engine, look every direction - use eyes and ears, stay right next to me as we walk out - phones away until we get to the plane, and once we're at the plane, to never go more than about an arm's length from the airplane. If you need to go back to the FBO, I will escort you. Watch your head on struts, antennas, wing edges. Doff caps and secure things that might blow away in prop/jet blast or on a windy day.

Another awesome video! I did not hear you specifically mentioned passengers helping with see and avoid. I assume that you cover that in your “question’s encouraged” part of the list. Is this the same briefing every time or do/can you adjust if you have doing a unique mission such as the Hudson River tour or the like? These little videos keep getting better and better. More Please!

These are great items. I’m always looking for ways to better my briefings and I’m going to incorporate these items.

I may over-do it, but my briefings take quite a bit longer. I include such things as how to transmit and ask for help in the event of my own incapacitation, including the most basic autopilot [level] & [cancel] buttons (very well marked). I have a control-stick so I include things like don't stand on pedals or tense-up thighs, grab, etc. I show them the absolute best place to grasp (in my plane - their shoulder harness) in the event things get bumpy or unnerving. I explain the toe-brakes, and I have pax test them once during taxi. I also explain that I will do 1 lap and landing immediately for practice and safety reasons, and also so that pax has an opportunity to say "nope, I changed my mind".

"If I become incapacitated, take the controls, fly straight and level, key the mic and call Mayday, Mayday, Mayday." "This tag is the aircraft call sign." "Tell whoever responds to the Mayday call, the aircraft call sign, what is going on, and answer any questions they may have for you." Being a "senior citizen," this becomes more and more of a possibility. Another great video, Josh. Thanks.

Perfect timing. I was just working on my briefing

I know a few people have mentioned this already, but briefing the front seat pax about pilot incapacitation procedures. Basics of how to control the airplane, how to set radio frequencies and use the PTT, and if your aircraft has an emergency button (like your smart glide or the garmin autoland), how to use that.

Like this awareness of passenger briefing Josh :) I´m just a VFR pilot with 500 ish hours my self and these are exactly the same points I go through with my passengers while I sit in the wing and try to make them as comfortable as possible :) Love your content and find it interesting although you mainly fly IFR and I VFR but I learn how to make my flights safer :) Winter in Norway now but it's about to thaw so moving towards more flying soon :)

Love your video keep it up

A simple one to add is last call for the bathroom. Comfortable pax are more relaxed pax.

First, congrats on your enthusiasm! If you have the time, would you talk about the points of interest you're going to fly over? I think it may be a nice way to keep passengers busy and looking for the spots out in the landscape, as well as decreases the stress from the flight in case they have any.

Excellent checklist! I would maybe add something about the air vents and maybe heater? You mentioned briefing them about the yoke, but I always brief about the rudder pedals as well. Don't want them kicking those!

Great checklist. I always show them how to use the radio and basic controls of the aircraft just in case

Really like the fact you have this integrated in ForeFlight on your iPad. Simple. Efficient. Portable. Great way to extract added value to your FF subscription. 😎

Very interesting, thank you.

Thank you for posting this! My PPL check ride is Tuesday.

Love the video and subject matter. I haven't seen this covered before. I would love to get the ForeFlight Checklist from you. Movement around the plane (turning around and passing stuff back and forth.), dropping things, and opening SODA!! Can't tell you how many times people wear their soda. For the front seat person, how to use the radio in an emergency (something happens to me) If i am going over 14k, I explain that I am required to be on Oxygen but make sure everybody has it available, and either way, they will participate in using the PulseOx every 20 minutes along with me. I mention this because I do have a trip coming up that all 4 of us will have O2 available. My wife is really good at setting it up now.

Excellent!

Always an inspiration Josh. Especially for a smaller RU-vidr like myself. If I ever get that first play button... you will be one of the first I owe a thank you to! :) Also... great video on the pax briefings!!

5:17 Yes, we do appreciate them, Josh!!

Great checklist . I also include a description of a brace position for front and rear seat passengers so they know what and where to hold in an emergency - but include it with the 'seatbelt operation' and 'remaining clear of controls' discussion ... and stress it is unlikely they will need it, but it's an important safety item I need to cover.

Great list. Nice to have a container for urine collection. There are some containers design for both male and female. Specially if you have older or kids as a passenger. Show them where it is and not be shy about using it if needed.

The seat tracks one definitely stuck out to me, that will for sure be on my next briefing. I always check to make sure they are locked, but I never considered briefing the passenger on what to do if their seat track fails. Thanks!

Very good video, one thing I do is tell new to small aircraft passengers, I tell them about flats and aileron because they make some noise and they can see them move "when I put in the flaps theses will drop down, that's normal" "when I steer the plane theses move up and down, that's also normal"

Very well done

I also explain in PAX Brief, esp for the front seat pax, the use of the radio stack, 121.5 or the frequency we will be on, what our call sign is and on my kneeboard what to say to ATC. Weather on the route, the route itself and potential hazards and beauty spots on the route.

Great briefing. I also tell my passengers to keep their feet away from the pedals, and if they feel they have to hold onto something, to hold onto their seatbelt harness. I also don't use the words "sterile cockpit" since most people think of "sterile" as "sanitized", so I just explain no talking during certain phases of flight.

I live in an area where the closest towered airport is over 60 miles away. I do local flights all the time so I always show passengers how to put in the guard frequency or the closest ATC frequency. I also show them how to turn on the auto pilot and put it in heading mode, that at least gives them a fighting chance if for some reason I become incapacitated.

One thing you touched on, but I think needs more awareness is where to hold on. When we get into unexpected bumps or even during TO or LND the passengers might feel a need to grab on to something. Tell them exactly what they can grab on to. Saying don't grab anything will not work, because they will just instinctively grab something. Tell them what to grab so they won't reach for the flight controls.

Man, that’s quite an extensive checklist for passenger brief. I’ve been flying a while and I have yet to see anyone spend that much time in detail on it, so hey, if you would do that good on you

Great points.

I saw a thumbnail and thought it is Rod Machado. Hehe.. Superb video about breafing. And loved your connection with passangers all the time.

One thing I might suggest adding is a brief discussion about the plan for the flight. Distance, time enroute, landmarks visible from the air, and expected weather enroute (turbulence is normal). Great briefing, Josh!

Very well done.

Great stuff. For me over the years I have found that stressing my communication with ATC means they need to stop talking to me or talking in general so I can hear and the communication on the radio. So I have a hand signal to them works pretty well (if they are paying attn to me) and should be covered in the briefing before a flight.

Awesome Content

If you ever will be on a flight where you need/use oxygen it would be good to brief passengers on that.

I always miss something if i wait to get to the plane because we're all soaking in sweat in South Florida by the time they climb into the plane! But normally I do a briefing by phone or in person before getting out in the heat and an abbreviated briefing before we make it to run up

Great video

9:55 my favorite moment of you doing that was when you were going back to Austin in the rented plane you had like three friends with you and there were storms in the area 122.0!!!

Cirrus has a splash screen that is a passenger briefing. They have Cirrus specific items, like how to use the CAPs, but they also have an item on the blue level button. I believe you have one as well.

Josh, what about briefing passengers about emergency landing outside of the field, right after the take off and initial climb? Some specific briefing about that in your routine? Congratulations on your channel! Greetings from Brazil!

Great video. When that seat jumps the seat track it will scare the bejesus out of you. Enjoyed.

I'm a big proponent of specific pre take off briefings...maybe not so much for passengers but more for myself. I want to follow the planned departure & know what to do if something goes wrong

Thank You. Will do next time.

I always bring up emergency procedures if we loose power on take off or climb out. If we are still on the ground we will pull power and stay on the ground, below 300 ft ago landing straight ahead, etc….

Great stuff man! I Also brief pax to listen for our type and tail number, if they hear it, be quiet for a sec. Also, where the PTT button is. If something should happen to me, they’ll know how to reach out.

Great work Josh! The only item I can think to add is showing the front passenger how to toggle to the radio that was always tuned to guard (and what to say) in case something happened to me. I flew with a knee board in which I kept a brightly colored, laminated card with the applicable verbiage on one side and simplified instructions for straight and level flight on the other. Better to have it and not need it….

Thinking back to your seat back slipping I remembered that there is an inertia reel seat belt that is designed to be mounted underneath the front seats of Cessna's that prevents the seat from moving on it's track. SEB07-5 Rev 5 provides for the installation of a secondary seat stop under the pilot’s and copilot’s seats. It looks a lot like a seatbelt reel attached to the bottom of the seat. The end of the belt is attached to the cabin floor. The reel has a release mechanism that is activated by the same lever the pilot lifts to release the latching pins. Perhaps you might consider this piece of equipment?