Preflight Safety Briefing Can Set Calming Tone

Providing one goes a long way in helping non-pilot passengers feel at ease.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, March 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A pilot briefs their passenger on the upcoming flight [Credit: Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

The Pilot in Command (PIC) must firmly establish authority and responsibility, even with parents, by conducting a thorough safety briefing covering seatbelt use, door operation, and emergency egress procedures.
Implement strict cockpit rules, such as not touching controls or placards, avoiding idle chatter during critical phases, and using hand signals for radio communication.
Educate passengers on normal flight phenomena and provide proactive measures to prevent airsickness, like focusing on the horizon and avoiding camera viewfinders.
Engage passengers safely by teaching them how to spot traffic and plan shorter flights (under 1.2 hours for first-timers) to prioritize their comfort and safety.

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“In the airplane, I’m not your daughter. I am not 15 years old. You are not teaching me how to drive. I am pilot in command. Am I clear?”

That’s how the passenger briefing I gave my father began. I was a 203-hour private pilot at the time and flying twice a week, building up my cross-country time in pursuit of the instrument ticket. Dad was not a pilot. He was a retired aerospace engineer and military man.