Bruce From United States of America, joined May 1999, 5025 posts, RR: 17 Posted (13 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 608 times:
Ok, this is a real question not a joke. What does a pilot do when "nature calls"? Do you leave the cockpit and use the lav like any other passenger? Or is there some other setup?
On a similar note, what are the rules regarding pilots leaving the cockpit during flight? Obviously one person has to be there at all times but are both (or all 3) required to be present for the duration? I really can't think of a good non-emergency reason a pilot would have to leave the cockpit anyway, other than to be relieved at the end of a shift for the long-haulers.
Just wonderin'
Bruce Leibowitz - Jackson, MS (KJAN) - Canon 50D/100-400L IS lens
Awaramper From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 118 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (13 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 536 times:
Pilots do use the lav just like everyone else. I've seen pilots walk around for several minutes. Their legs have got to get tired and cramped sitting on the flightdeck.
BryanG From United States of America, joined May 1999, 418 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (13 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 536 times:
I asked one of my pilot friends about this once, and if memory serves he said that in a 2-man crew if one has to leave the cockpit the other must put on his oxygen mask.
Buff From Australia, joined Mar 2007, 0 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (13 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 534 times:
At my present airline, and at my previous airline, the pilot was allowed to leave his/her seat for "physiological reasons" while the aircraft is in cruise flight. Obviously situations dictate at other times during the flight, and may be classed as emergencies.
"Physiological reasons" can mean anything from using the same lav everyone else uses, to stretching one's legs to retrieving some water from the galley. At our company, visiting the passenger cabin for PR or other non-related reasons is not permitted.
In Canada, the remaining pilot is not required to use supplemental oxygen unless the flight is above FL410. In the USA, it's FL350.
Cricri From France, joined Oct 1999, 581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 5, posted (13 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 524 times:
I heard that in a 3-men crew, only one can remain under certain conditions. 2 remaining is recomended.
In a 2-men crew, leaving the cockpit by one is allowed but the safety conditions are higher but I don't know them exactly.
Regards.
Pilot1113 From United States of America, joined Aug 1999, 2333 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (13 years 5 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 509 times:
I'm pretty sure that the FARs state that in a two man crew, one can leave just as long as one is on the flight deck.
As an additional footnote, both pilots must have their safety belts fastened at all times while at their duty stations.
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