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FAA Requires Secondary Flight Deck Barrier

faa.gov

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Re: FAA Requires Secondary Flight Deck Barrier

#5
post #4

Maybe this will finally mean a reduction in security theater on the way to the plane. One can hope, anyway.

Probably not. The armoring of cockpit doors already stopped hijackings. I'm a bit baffled as to the benefit of a second one.

the idea is to create an 'air-lock' between openings to prevent a rush towards the cabin opportunistically during an assault when a crew member traverses between the portal.

"physical secondary barrier that protects the flightdeck from unauthorized intrusion when the flightdeck door is opened."

worst case I suppose you could lock a bad-actor into the in-between until landing? not exactly sure how it'll all be implemented really.

Re: FAA Requires Secondary Flight Deck Barrier

#7
post #5
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably not. The armoring of cockpit doors already stopped hijackings. I'm a bit baffled as to the benefit of a second one.

the idea is to create an 'air-lock' between openings to prevent a rush towards the cabin opportunistically during an assault when a crew member traverses between the portal. "physical secondary barrier that protects the flightdeck from unauthorized intrusion when the flightdeck door is opened." worst case I suppose you could lock a bad-actor into the in-between until landing? not exactly sure how it'll all be impleme…

Yeah, it’s funny what happens when the pilots need to access the head. The flight attendants move a cart to block the pathway while the cockpit door is open. I tend to agree with FAA that this is an unnecessary vulnerability if we can easily add a secondary secure door between the cabin and the galley.

Re: FAA Requires Secondary Flight Deck Barrier

#8

On current domestic flights the flight door hinges are 2 inches from bathroom hinges. So if there's now the need for two doors (an airlock) will they be lengthening the plane 3 feet to allow for this?

The secondary barrier would have to be between the cabin and the lavatory, so that the pilot can go to from the cockpit to the lavatory on their side of the barrier. So I imagine that whenever the pilot is not about to or actively using the lavatory that barrier would be left open so that passengers can access it.

Some (all?) U.S. domestic airlines currently have this exact system in place, except with a flight attendant standing guard between the first row of seats and the galley/lavatory/cockpit, starting just before the pilot opens the cockpit door. I have no idea if this has been a regulation thing or just a thing I notice the airlines I fly do, but this physical barrier would probably follow the same usage pattern as the current meat-based barrier.

Re: FAA Requires Secondary Flight Deck Barrier

#9
post #8

On current domestic flights the flight door hinges are 2 inches from bathroom hinges. So if there's now the need for two doors (an airlock) will they be lengthening the plane 3 feet to allow for this?

The secondary barrier would have to be between the cabin and the lavatory, so that the pilot can go to from the cockpit to the lavatory on their side of the barrier. So I imagine that whenever the pilot is not about to or actively using the lavatory that barrier would be left open so that passengers can access it. Some (all?) U.S. domestic airlines currently have this exact system in place, except with a flight atten…

Curtain would be simpler to hide if the door is open. Door movement noise could be faked/randomized with a speaker.

Re: FAA Requires Secondary Flight Deck Barrier

#10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The secondary barrier would have to be between the cabin and the lavatory, so that the pilot can go to from the cockpit to the lavatory on their side of the barrier. So I imagine that whenever the pilot is not about to or actively using the lavatory that barrier would be left open so that passengers can access it. Some (all?) U.S. domestic airlines currently have this exact system in place, except with a flight atten…

Curtain would be simpler to hide if the door is open. Door movement noise could be faked/randomized with a speaker.

> noise could be faked/randomized with a speaker

That already sounds more complex than a door IMO

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