
Selfie-taking TikTok pilots ‘putting passengers in danger'
The use of cameras and mobile phones in cockpits has been linked to a number of serious incidents in which 'personal devices have impacted flight safety'.
Some pilots are attracting thousands of followers on social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, by posting pictures and videos of themselves while flying or manoeuvring the aircraft.
But, two separate reports have highlighted growing concerns, including an account of how a camera jammed up against flight controls, causing a 'rapid descent' of the plane which injured passengers.
Complaint to whistleblower website
A UK whistleblowers' website used by the aviation industry to report concerns received a complaint about an unnamed British pilot 'making a selfie-style video on the ramp while performing safety inspections'.
The anonymous report, sent to the CHIRP (Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme) website complains the pilot posted multiple videos filmed during critical phases of flight, including taxiing, entering the runaway and landing, which ti said 'introduces inevitable distraction to the operation' of the plane.
That complaint came after the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) published a position paper that catalogued cases in which mobile phones had 'presented a significant source of distraction from flight deck duties' and affected flight safety.
IFALPA, which represents 148,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries, said many passengers were injured on one unidentified flight 'after a pilot's camera pushed the side-stick as he moved his seat forward, causing a rapid descent of the aircraft'.
In another incident, it said, a plane's thrust levers were jammed by a device being used for filming and could not be moved.
In a third case, 'a mobile phone used by a pilot for personal reasons during the flight' was dropped between the seat and the pedestal and began to generate fumes in the cockpit.
Some airlines tolerate pilots' use of social media because it serves as a good form of publicity for both the industry and the companies. However, the latest revelations highlight how the use of mobile phones to make online 'content' could pose real risks, including revealing sensitive airside security information.
CHIRP, which campaigns to improve air and sea safety, explained: 'Such 'selfie' activities are very common these days and there is a difficult balance to be struck between beneficially promoting the airline/industry and negatively impacting safety.
'Filming or taking photos when conducting aviation tasks at the same time has clear risks of distraction and lack of situational awareness.'
Its report says consideration should be given by pilots when 'pulling out a personal mobile when airside or airborne' to ensure that they are not breaking any rules and that 'any published videos could stand up to scrutiny in the court of public opinion'.
It is not illegal for a pilot to film or take photographs from the cockpit, but it is a criminal offence to endanger the operation of any aircraft. Most airlines prohibit cabin crew from using mobile phones or cameras during critical stages of any flight, including taxiing, take-off and landing.
'Pilot egos are huge'
One senior air traffic controller, who asked not to be named, told The Telegraph the use of social media was 'narcissism, pure and simple'.
'Some pilot egos are just so huge, there's barely room for any crew on the plane,' she said. 'They should be totally focused on flying the aircraft, but love putting on their Aviators and filming themselves at the controls. It's the little boy in them.'
Joji Waites, the director for flight safety at BALPA, the pilots' union, said it endorses the IFALPA report, adding: 'We recognise the vast majority of pilots behave in a professional and responsible manner and appreciate the risks associated with inappropriate use of personal devices whilst on duty.
'However, the aviation industry is not immune to the popularity of posting social media content and the risk of unintended consequences is real.'
A UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said: 'As the UK's aviation safety regulator it is our role to ensure that airline operators are managing their risks appropriately.
'There is a responsibility on operators to manage risks that they can prevent, and we expect the 'secure flight deck' to be adhered to, which removes distractions from the pilots during critical phases of flight.'

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