While coffee may or may not be allowed in the cockpit depending on the airline and type of aircraft, it's always a welcome companion on the ground. Pilots also enjoy socializing over a cup of coffee with other like-minded aviation enthusiasts to unwind.
Past incidents
In 2020, the EU's aviation regulator banned A350 pilots from drinking coffee in the cockpit to reduce the risk of spilling liquid on electronic controls.
Have you any idea how long your day in the cockpit can be? Of course you need to drink. Tea, Coffee, Water - it keeps your body hydration functioning. Some budget airlines make pilots pay for their coffee - so you take a flask, and if security allows you to take it on board - problem solved.
The pilots can eat in the cockpit, but they tend to not eat at the same time, so that one is always at the controls. If and when all of the various gauges look good, the airplane is flying smoothly, and there is peace in the cabin, the pilots will often get a rest break.
The first one is quite clear. The FAA prohibits the ingestion of any alcohol within 8 hours of flying as a pilot crew member, be it general or commercial aviation.
Symptoms commonly associated with a hangover are headache, dizziness, dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, upset stomach, irritability, impaired judgment, and increased sensitivity to bright light. A pilot with these symptoms would certainly not be fit to safely operate an aircraft.
Long and short distance pilots are allowed to use the bathroom when they need to as long as the airplane is under control. Pilots use the same bathroom as the passengers, much to the delight of the younger (and sometimes older) people on board!
Yes, pilots can eat first class meals if they wish to. At some airlines, the captain or the main pilot will be entitled to the first class menu and then their co-pilot will be entitled to the business class menu and so on.
Pilots can and sometimes do smoke in the cockpits of business jets. These can be as large as airliners (see BBJ), but usually aren't. Even when a country and/or airline ban smoking in the flight deck, some pilots will ignore the ban and still light up. This was quite common with Asian carriers in the past.
Some countries allow pilots to take controlled naps to improve alertness during the landing. So far, the U.S. has not allowed this fatigue mitigation. Pilots keep flight deck lights up, and engage in conversation to help keep alert.
One requirement that might surprise you is that pilots must be clean-shaven. This is because facial hair can interfere with the seal of a pilot's oxygen mask, which could be disastrous at high altitudes (but has been disproven by recent studies).
The "lucky" gum of pilots is a superstition perhaps based in the original product's unsubstantiated claim of preventing seasickness, but applied to flight airsickness. Chewing any type of gum is thought to promote equalizing pressure in the ears.
Former US Marine Corps F-18 fighter pilot Jeff Devlin explains that most pilots are able to delay a bathroom break until landing for missions between four to five hours, but any longer than that and bladder relief devices are used, saying: "We used what were called relief packs - the slang term was 'piddle pack'.
Most long haul aircraft have bunk beds available for both the Pilots and Cabin Crew. These are generally hidden out of view from passengers. If no bunks are available, commercial passenger seats in business or first class are set aside for the pilots to ensure a good standard of rest can be achieved.
“The captain is responsible for ensuring that, wherever possible, the operating pilots eat different in-flight meals,” said a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson. “If both pilots request the same meal, the cabin crew must bring this to the attention of the captain who will approve or deny the request.”
Mostly on the larger airlines, the cabin crew usually eat the crew meal and anything else is a bonus - it certainly doesn't happen all the time. Some cabin crew bring their own meals to avoid the unhealthier option of the crew meal, or sometimes they are just bored with the same food.
When there is more than one pilot in the cockpit, if a situation arises where one pilot becomes startled, the other pilot can regain the pilot in focus's attention and bring their focus back to the situation, regaining all senses.
Pilots have a unique viewpoint while flying private or commercial aircraft. They get an unobstructed view of stunning natural sights, such as pink lakes and rectangular-shaped icebergs. Some have reported seeing UFOs, while others have flown over swirling hurricanes.
Simply put, there must be at least two people in the cockpit at all times when the aircraft is airborne. Indeed, when flying below 10,000 ft, the sterile cockpit rule applies, which prohibits all unnecessary conversation and activities. This includes leaving the cockpit for reasons other than absolutely necessary.
Opening the window
This is because, when the aircraft is pressurized, the pressure would firmly hold the window in place and resist opening. When the aircraft is not pressurized, either on the ground or if depressurized during the flight (intentionally or due to an accident), then pilots can open them.
Psychiatric Conditions. The use of a psychotropic drug is disqualifying for aeromedical certification purposes. This includes all sedatives, tranquilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs (including SSRI's - see exceptions), analeptics, anxiolytics, and hallucinogens.
While cigarette smoking is not prohibited by the FAA, it has several hazardous side effects and many health conditions caused by smoking are medically disqualifying. A smoker typically carries a carbon monoxide blood level of about five percent.
Most airlines have a similar policy when it comes to tattoos. They allow pilot tattoos as long as they are not visible while on duty and do not contain any offensive content. This means that any tattoos on the hands, neck, or face must be covered up while on duty.
These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.