TIPS

On The Ground

1. Emphasize the importance of listening to you or other adults while walking around on the

tarmac or anywhere in the vicinity of aircraft. Even if the aircraft aren't moving, it is important to practice as if each aircraft is getting ready to start its engine. Tell teens to never run or walk towards a moving propeller.

2. Propeller, rotor, and jet engine safety. Teach the proper way to approach an aircraft, lead by

example. Always enter and leave airplanes from the rear, or tail. Never towards the propeller. Make sure to shut down engine(s) (airplane and helicopter) prior to boarding or dropping off passengers. Helicopters have their own safety concerns which are different from airplanes so address those specific differences. 

3. First time flyer? Allow the teen to do a walk around with you and sit in the aircraft

without it moving or the engine started. If you can, do this a day or more prior to the real flight. The next step may just be starting the engine with the youth inside. Another day,

taxi the aircraft around. Finally, a short flight around the pattern to see how they handle

the experience. Then gradually increase flight time each time you go. It may not be

best to take a first time flyer on a long cross country flight.

4. Give each teen a job to do with the planning, preflight, or during the flight. At this age,

they may be more interested in learning how to fly or have zero interest in flying, so choose jobs appropriate to interest too.

5. Make sure they understand the importance of keeping their hearing protection on and seat belts

fastened.

6. See if he or she has any questions prior to heading to the aircraft.

7. Teens are learning from you, so make sure you are following the rules too. 

8. Explain the proper use of seatbelts and or harnesses and when it should be fastened.

9. Lock baggage doors. At this age, teens will probably not crawl into a baggage area, however, it

is good practice to lock the door in case items shift or one day you are carrying a younger passenger who may choose to unlock his or her seatbelt and crawl into the baggage area.

10. Aircraft radios and intercom. Understand how your radios and intercom system work. It may be

imperative to be able to silence their conversations or noise to enable you to hear CTAF, ATC, etc. There may be an isolate, crew, and all options.  

11. Passenger Brief & Sterile Cockpit. Make sure to give all passengers a briefing appropriate to the

aircraft. You may need to tailor the briefing for your audience. (I.e. 3 year old versus 12 year old) A helpful memory aid is SAFETY. To learn more about SAFETY please click on the FAA Safety link.

 

In the Air

1. HEARING PROTECTION. Make sure to have headsets or ear plugs available for your passengers.

2. Make sure to have sick bags available for all passengers and easily accessible. 

3. Have the teen eat food, chew gum, or drink during descents to help alleviate changes in

ear pressure.

4. Sun Protection. Sunglasses, sun shades, hats, sunscreen, and long pants and long sleeves are all

great options for sun protection.

5. Travel early morning, late evening, or night to avoid the heat during summer months in aircraft

without air conditioning

6. Beat the heat with ice cubes or iced water. Even consider ice packs to place behind backs or neck

cooling scarves. Use an insulated travel mug to carry ice cubes. (Ice cubes are great treats for family pets too!) 

7. Bring age appropriate snacks, water, toys, and books for in-flight entertainment.

 

Saving Weight and Space 

1. Plan to do laundry midway through your trip which can cut the amount of luggage in half. 

2. Less is more. Many times we don't wear all the clothes we pack or even use all the toys, books,

etc. Scale it down by having everyone take their favorites. Clothing can be worn more than once.