The "two-person cockpit rule," or "Rule of Two," mandates that at least two crew members must be in the flight deck at all times on commercial flights, requiring another crew member (often cabin crew) to enter if the pilot or co-pilot leaves for a break, preventing a single pilot from being alone and locking the door. Introduced globally after the 2015 Germanwings crash, where a co-pilot intentionally crashed the plane, it aims to prevent deliberate acts by a lone pilot, but its implementation varies by region, with some authorities like Australia's CASA easing it due to risks like flight deck incursions.
Australian airlines must have two crew members in the cockpit at all times, under a deal struck with the industry after the Germanwings plane crash. The pilot of the plane, which is believed to have been deliberately crashed into the French Alps, was locked out of the cockpit by his co-pilot.
Specifically, the idea was that at least two crew members should be in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft at all times. If the pilot or co-pilot leaves the cockpit for a toilet break, for example, another crew member should remain in the cockpit until the pilot or co-pilot returns.
From short hops to long-haul international routes, the number of pilots in the cockpit isn't always the same. Every flight has at least two pilots, but their roles, responsibilities, and even ranks vary. Some flights require more, especially when crossing oceans or flying overnight.
Historically, the second officer was the flight engineer. This is a trained pilot who does not fly the aircraft, but instead monitors aircraft systems. Modern airliners only require two pilots, and do not have a flight engineer or a navigator.
The 3:1 rule in aviation is a rule of thumb for descent planning: for every 1,000 feet of altitude to lose, you need 3 nautical miles (NM) of horizontal distance, assuming a standard 3-degree glide path, making it easy to calculate when to start descending. For example, to descend 6,000 feet, a pilot starts descending 18 NM out (6 x 3 = 18). It helps maintain a consistent descent rate, critical for passenger comfort in older planes and for fuel efficiency in modern jets, and aligns with standard approach systems like ILS/VASI.
In aviation, squawk code 7700 is the universal transponder setting for a general emergency, immediately alerting Air Traffic Control (ATC) that an aircraft needs urgent assistance, similar to a "Mayday" call, used for issues like engine failure, medical emergencies, or onboard fires, making it a high-priority target for controllers. Other emergency codes include 7500 (hijacking) and 7600 (radio failure).
Yes, pilots do sleep during flights, but with specific guidelines and regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows pilots to take controlled rest periods, known as "crew rest," during long-haul flights (> 8 hours). This ensures they remain alert and refreshed for critical phases of flight.
Jammie Jamieson is a United States Air Force officer and the first operational female fighter pilot selected to fly the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
Brad Pitt is an accomplished pilot and in addition to having mastered the more common or garden aircraft, he owns a World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire. He is apparently fascinated with vintage planes, he was inspired by Fury, the WWII action film he shot in the UK in 2013.
First, the co-pilot takes over the aircraft and contacts local air traffic control to notify them of the situation and declare an emergency. Air traffic control then works directly with the pilot in charge to develop a plan of action.
The Sterile Cockpit Rule is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation requiring pilots to refrain from non-essential activities during critical phases of flight,1 normally below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).
The 35/7 rule for flight attendants limits Reserve Flight Attendants to a maximum of 35 flight hours in any seven consecutive days, primarily for scheduling purposes to manage fatigue and ensure safety, although actual operations can sometimes exceed this if waivers are used and regulations are met. While Lineholders often work to a 30/7 (30 hours in 7 days) limit, they can also complete trips exceeding 35 hours if they waive the rule. This rule, alongside recent FAA mandates for longer rest periods (like 10 hours after 14-hour shifts), aims to provide adequate recovery for cabin crews.
Pilots making $200k+ annually are typically captains at major airlines, especially on long-haul/widebody aircraft, or experienced cargo/corporate pilots, with earnings increasing significantly with seniority, flying larger jets, and potentially including substantial bonuses, profit-sharing, and allowances. For example, a first-year captain at a major US airline might hit $200k, while senior widebody captains can exceed $400k-$500k+ with experience, benefits, and bidding strategies.
What are the FAA standards for vision? Federal Aviation Regulations require that a pilot's distant vision be 20/20 or better, with or without correction, in EACH eye separately to hold a first or second class medical certificate. The standard for near visual acuity (16″) is 20/40 in each eye separately.
There are also rules about height and weight, which vary between airlines. As a general guide, most look for people between 5ft 2in (157cm) and 6ft 2in (188cm), with weight in proportion to height.
Women pilots were also formerly called "aviatrices" (singular "aviatrix"). Women have been flying powered aircraft since 1908; prior to 1970, however, most were restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry.
Her tour with the Blue Angels lasted two years through the end of the 2024 season. She returned to the fleet in late 2024 to serve as a department head at VFA-87, where she was working on the squadron's 2025 deployment aboard the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R.
How much does a F 16 Pilot make? As of Jan 10, 2026, the average annual pay for a F 16 Pilot in the United States is $130,916 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $62.94 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,517/week or $10,909/month.
Ever wondered why cabin crew sit on their hands during takeoff? It's not just a quirky habit — it's actually a safety protocol. By sitting on their hands, flight attendants ensure they are always ready for an emergency without being distracted by anything, including their own movements.
10 hours before bed: No more caffeine. 3 hours before bed: No more food or alcohol. 2 hours before bed: No more work. 1 hour before bed: No more screen time (shut off all phones, TVs and computers).
A Lineholder in PBS or TTS may be scheduled to fly up to thirty (30) block hours in any seven (7) consecutive days. However, in actual operations a Lineholder will complete her/his sequence combination unless the duty limitation exceeds thirty-five (35) block hours.
Squawking code 7777 will cause the acronym "AFIO" to flash next to the target symbol on an ATC scope. This is often used when the interceptors are not talking to ATC. It helps us keep other aircraft clear of the operation.
Lancaster survived with frostbite, bruising, shock, and fractures to his right arm, left thumb, and right wrist. Ogden had frostbite in his face, a dislocated shoulder, and later suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. There were no other injuries.
Transponder Squawk Codes You Should Know
0000 — A generic code that is not assigned and should not be used. 1200 — VFR aircraft.