FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Easy
A Part 121 aircraft is climbing through 9,000 feet MSL when a flight attendant calls the flight deck to relay a passenger's nonessential seating request. Under 14 CFR 121.542, what is the correct flight crew action?
- AAnswer the call immediately because passenger requests are always permitted regardless of altitude
- BDefer the nonessential communication until the aircraft is above 10,000 feet or otherwise out of a critical phase of flight
- CHave the flight attendant contact ATC instead of the flight deck
- DSterile cockpit rules only apply during descent, so the call may be answered during climb
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Defer the nonessential communication until the aircraft is above 10,000 feet or otherwise out of a critical phase of flight
14 CFR 121.542 prohibits flight crewmembers from performing non-essential duties or activities during taxi, takeoff, landing, and all other flight operations below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight. A seating request is nonessential and must wait until the aircraft is above 10,000 feet or in cruise.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect because the rule specifically restricts nonessential communications below 10,000 feet
- C. Contacting ATC does not address the sterile cockpit restriction on crew activity
- D. The rule applies during climb, descent, taxi, takeoff, and landing, not just descent
Sterile Cockpit Rule (121.542)
Prohibits flight crewmembers from performing nonessential duties during critical phases of flight, including all operations below 10,000 feet except cruise.
- Applies during taxi, takeoff, landing, and below 10,000 feet
- Excludes cruise flight above 10,000 feet
- Prevents distractions during high-workload phases
Memory trick: Below 10,000 feet, zip the lips unless it's safety-critical.