FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresMedium
An airline captain is taxiing to the gate after landing and begins discussing unrelated personal matters with the first officer while ground personnel are marshaling the aircraft. Under 14 CFR 121.542 (the sterile cockpit rule), is this conversation permitted?
- ANo, because the sterile cockpit rule applies during all ground operations, including taxi
- BYes, because the sterile cockpit rule only applies during takeoff and landing rollout
- CNo, but only if the aircraft is below 10,000 feet MSL in flight
- DYes, because the rule ends the moment the aircraft touches down on the runway
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. No, because the sterile cockpit rule applies during all ground operations, including taxi
14 CFR 121.542 prohibits nonessential crewmember conversation and activity during taxi, takeoff, landing, and all flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet MSL, except during cruise flight. Taxiing to the gate after landing is a ground operation covered by the rule.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The rule extends beyond takeoff/landing to include all taxi operations.
- C. The 10,000-foot threshold applies to flight, but taxi is separately covered regardless of altitude.
- D. Sterile cockpit continues through taxi after landing, not just until touchdown.
Sterile Cockpit Rule (121.542)
A regulation prohibiting nonessential crew activities and conversation during critical phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, landing, and flight below 10,000 feet MSL (except cruise).
- Applies during taxi, takeoff, and landing
- Applies during all flight operations below 10,000 ft MSL, except cruise
- Prohibits nonessential conversations, reading, and other distracting activities
- Designed to reduce distractions during high-workload phases of flight
Memory trick: 'Taxi, Takeoff, Ten-thousand, Touchdown' — the 4 T's of sterile cockpit