Free for every pilot
Free passenger safety briefing video for general aviation
4 minutes, with captions. Free to watch and share, with no account needed.
A light aircraft safety briefing your passengers will actually watch
First-time passengers often arrive at the airfield nervous and unsure what to expect. This passenger safety video for general aviation walks them through the essentials before they get anywhere near the aircraft, in plain English.
Send the link with your flight details, or play it on your phone before you walk out to the aircraft. Your own briefing then takes minutes, and your passengers already know the questions to ask.
- Free for private pilots, flying clubs and flight schools
- Follows the SAFETY passenger briefing used across general aviation
- Works for cost-sharing flights, trial lessons and flying with friends
- Captioned, and plays on any phone, tablet or computer
What the SAFETY briefing covers
Each letter of SAFETY is one part of the passenger briefing.
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S
Seatbelts and harnesses
Tight for taxi, take-off and landing, worn loosely in flight in case of turbulence, and never grabbing the controls if a seat slides back.
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A
Air vents and air sickness
How the cabin heater and air vents work, and why passengers should speak up straight away if they feel unwell.
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F
Fire extinguisher
Where it is usually kept in a light aircraft, and the three steps: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger.
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E
Exits and doors
How the doors open from the inside, checking they are secure, and why a door popping open in flight is a non-event.
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T
Traffic and talking
Helping the pilot look out for other aircraft, wearing the headset properly, and keeping a sterile cockpit during take-off and landing.
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Y
Your questions
Encouraging passengers to ask about the aircraft, the route or flying in general, so they feel comfortable and at ease.
Safety briefing transcript
You're nearly ready to start your flight, but just as with larger commercial flights, there's some safety information you need to know to ensure you have a smooth and pleasant flight. Your pilot will also give you a briefing that is specific to the type of aircraft being used for your flight.
When you arrive at the airfield, you must remember not to approach any aircraft unless instructed to do so by your pilot. Your pilot is there to keep you safe, so please follow their instructions and listen carefully.
Your seatbelt, or harness, must be worn and tightened for taxi, take-off and landing, although it's always advisable to keep it loosely strapped across your body in case you hit any turbulence. You must ensure that your seat is positioned so that you can see out of the front window of the aircraft. If you can't, your pilot will show you how to adjust it, or may be able to provide booster cushions. If your seat ever unexpectedly slides back during the flight, do not grab the controls for balance.
The aircraft will have both cabin heaters and air vents positioned throughout. Ask your pilot to show you how to operate these. During the flight, you must communicate your needs to your pilot to prevent travel sickness. In the unlikely event you do feel ill, or become unwell, speak up immediately. Your pilot may have access to air sickness bags, and will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.
The aircraft is fitted with a fire extinguisher, which is normally located behind the seats. In an emergency, your pilot will take care of tackling a fire, but so you're aware, it's a three-step process: pull the pin, then aim at the base of the fire, and squeeze the trigger.
Your pilot will show you how to operate the doors from the inside. At various stages of the flight, you may be asked to check that your door is secure. If your door should become unlatched, or pop open during the flight, it really is a non-event. Just let your pilot know. In an emergency situation, your pilot may ask you to unlatch the door prior to landing.
As this is a general aviation flight, the pilot will be actively looking for other aircraft around you. You can also help with this by scanning your surroundings, whilst enjoying the flight, and pointing out anything that you think looks important. Remember, your pilot would rather you point out something harmless than miss an aircraft that's drifted too close. During the flight, you'll be given a headset to wear. Make sure it sits comfortably on your head, with the microphone positioned just next to your lips. During any critical phases of flight, such as take-off and landing, you should aim to maintain a sterile cockpit, which means keeping talking to an absolute minimum.
After this briefing, or during your flight, you might have questions about the aircraft, the route, or flying in general. Your pilot would be happy to answer them, especially if it makes you feel more comfortable and at ease.
When you arrive at the aircraft, your pilot will conduct a detailed safety briefing with you, and remind you of these important points.
All that's left is to wish you a safe, pleasant, and enjoyable flight.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this passenger safety video really free?
- Yes. Any pilot can share this general aviation safety briefing video with their passengers for free. There is nothing to sign up for: send them the link to this page, or play it on your phone at the aircraft.
- Can I show it to passengers on my own flights?
- Yes. It was made for private pilots, flying clubs and flight schools to use before any general aviation flight, including cost-sharing flights, trial lessons and flights with friends and family.
- Does it replace my pre-flight passenger briefing?
- No. As pilot in command you must still brief your passengers yourself (NCO.OP.130), including the safety equipment, doors and emergency procedures for your aircraft. The video prepares passengers so your briefing at the aircraft is quicker and better understood.
- What is the SAFETY briefing?
- SAFETY is a widely used way to structure a passenger briefing in a light aircraft: Seatbelts, Air vents and air sickness, Fire extinguisher, Exits, Traffic and talking, and Your questions.
- Which aircraft is the video for?
- It covers the safety points common to most light aircraft, such as a Piper PA-28, Cessna 152 or 172, or similar single-engine aircraft. Anything specific to your aircraft belongs in your own briefing.
- How long is the safety briefing video?
- About 4 minutes, with captions, so passengers can watch it on their phone before they arrive at the airfield.
This video doesn't replace the pilot's own briefing, which covers the aircraft you're flying in. Flying on a cost-sharing flight? Read the rules for cost-sharing flights, or download the free passenger declaration form.