iPods on the flightdeck

[Benwa]

I think if you listen to it loud enough that you miss comms... get a life.

Otherwise not a prob.

[ahramin]

I plug my iPod into my headset on any flight with a significant cruise leg. Can't keep up with BBC documentaries otherwise. As already stated, some people are smart about it, others less so. Sad to say but really this is something which most operators should address and provide guidance for what is acceptable and what is not.

[GilletteNorth]

The question isn't really about IPods but about what is an acceptable level of distraction to keep from becoming bored during less strenuous moments. I personally don't have problems with people who have some sort of method (IPod, newspaper, Sodoku, books, mental games etc) as long as they can instantly tune themselves to focus back on the job when it's necessary. I've known people 'doing their jobs' who 'finish the last paragraph' in the paper before getting back to what they are being paid to do. So, if it is so interesting that it prevents you from doing what needs to be done, if you can't turn away or stop and get back into the picture instantly, then you shouldn't use it, read it, listen to it or whatever.

[Dave T]

I think it can be a good way to stay alert after you've flown 20 hrs with the same person in the past few days. I don't really think it is any worse than someone that reads the paper or does crossword puzzles. People just need to be smart about it and realize that they are getting paid to fly and not rock out. I do feel that under NO circumstances should the public see or have any idea it is going on. People are afraid of flying with the young just out of highschool crew already they don't need to see you rocking out or reading a book.

[AntiNakedMan]

On a long flight I like to take the IPod, camera, magazine, bag of chips, and a gingerale. Put the autopilot on, recline the seat a little, glance up every now and then.

That's without the pax. Otherwise I just take the IPod, the gingerale, always have the camera, and skip on the seat reclining. I miss flying a plane with an autopilot.

Same thing as already been said - if you are missing radio calls, or can't drop it immediately, you shouldn't be doing it. If it looks like it will be a demanding approach (anything above 6% of my skill required) I turn the music off.

Anti

[pic777]

Papers: sometimes, but folded so you can see the instruments and put away before somebody enters the cockpit

I-pod on low volume and remote ctrl close by, mainly over the ocean while cpdlc
Usually it is appreciated though 1 FO objected once, so that was a non ipod trip.

I find it helps a bit staying awake and alert on long haul when radio traffic is minimal.
Heading west from a couple of far east destinations no sense to turn it on since atc communication is going on 3 sets, too busy.
I usually put it away about a half hr before tod.

[Rockie]

We all read newspapers or do a crossword at times despite company regs against it. It actually does help keep your brain functioning when a full on nap (excuse me...controlled rest) isn't practical. But where do you draw the line?

If a newspaper is OK how about a book?
If a book's Ok how about an IPod?
If an IPod's OK how about a laptop on the centre console with Topgun playing? (been done with company approval as yfly says)
If a laptop's OK how about that hot FA in here doing a pole dance? (been done too as we all know).

Hard and fast rules against any sort of distraction are impractical, but start missing radio calls or really being out of the loop and you have gone too far. Personally I would offer to sing to someone before I would be comfortable with an IPod, everybody has their limit.

[Hedley]

All of our intercoms are plumbed with a 1/8th inch
"aux input" jack, so I just plug my MP3 player into
that. It automatically mutes when radio traffic
comes on.

I really don't see a big difference between that
and tuning the ADF to an AM radio station, except
that the music is better

Is it now considered illegal, immoral, unethical,
fattening or carcinogenic to listen to AM radio
stations on the ADF? If so, bad news, we've
been doing it since before you were born.

[Rockie]

I always considered listening to music on the ADF as punishing as listening to HF static all the way across the Atlantic. You must have a high tolerance for pain.

[Hedley]

You must have a high tolerance for pain

Yeah, I've been married before. Twice.

[ahramin]

Honestly, there are so many good radio podcasts out there. You put one of those suckers on, your brain is engaged, but your eyeballs are free to scan screens and watch for traffic. Best of both worlds in my opinion.

but start missing radio calls

Exactly. No missed radio calls. No problem. However, there are a ton of pilots out there who miss radio calls all the time because they have crappy old headsets. $1000 is well worth it to be able to do your job right and to protect your hearing.

[Tim]

ive got a zulu, i use the bluetooth function to listen to tunes via my cellphone (which can also be used for phone calls, but i dont do this since my end of the call also goes out over the intercom and i think its a little rude). i turn it on once i get up to cruise, and off again for the arrival. i keep it low enough so that i can clearly hear transmissions and the intercom over the music. i find it like having a radio on in the background while im at home, for example. if i get busy i forget that i even have the tunes on. if i DO notice the tunes while im busy or if it gets distracting at any point, i just turn the bluetooth function off right on my headset (just a button to push). i should also point out that i often listen to CBC podcasts, not just music, if that affects anyones opinion.

[D5GRVTY]

i should also point out that i often listen to CBC podcasts, not just music, if that affects anyones opinion.

Yup it slightly lowers my opinion of your taste in radio kiddin.....sort of

[square]

I'm listening to Ender's Game on my iPod again

[seniorpumpkin]

Ender's Game is a good choice!
I would vote for allowing ipods. As long as you are a professional and continue to pay attention to the airplane and don't miss any radio chatter, I think the benefits of staying alert far outweigh the risks of missing something important on the radio, especially if your headset mutes the input when the radio makes noise. I would advocate a sterile cockpit type of restriction for departure and arrival, again just be sensible about the use of ipods and there won't be problems.

[Invertago]

I think its fine as long as you don't listen to country

Seriously, though, abuse it and we'll all loose the privilege.

[A2G]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my sax or guitar up front!

[yfly]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get my sax up front!

Change a vowel and it will come to you.

[Cat Driver]

Does listening to an Ipod have any affect on your situational awareness of how your airplane is running and how your flight progressing?

[Rowdy]

I think for once, everyone seems to be right on the money. Do whatever youd like to keep alert, be it a crossword, magazine, book, newspaper, ipod, dvd player etc, so long as you are still monitoring everything else at the same time. If you can't manage, you probably shouldnt be in the business end of any aircraft anyways!

I've always got some music on.. Its actually aided a couple of times in alerting me to issues. It may just be me, but then I start to scan engine instruments more frequently for variations and such.

Also, EVERYONE should be using a quality, functioning headset these days. I'm 100% on that for sure. Keep those ears in good shape so they can be alert now and for many years to come.

[c560]

No big deal.. Right place right time.

[Tim]

i should also point out that i often listen to CBC podcasts, not just music, if that affects anyones opinion.

Yup it slightly lowers my opinion of your taste in radio kiddin.....sort of

haha fair enough

[Dagwood]

I think it's ok during long flights... like someone said, there is a time and place for everything.

I heard a nurse say that once the patient is sleeping in the OR, the tunes come on and the docs are singing away. It's helps keep them focused on a long day.