Simviation Forum - When to turn on/off the fasten seatbelt sign?

Nov 8^th, 2011 at 7:46am

Gregorio Offline
Colonel
Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Posts: 40

Hi fellow sim pilots.

I am a bit confused with the right use of the fasten seat belt sign. I assume that I have to turn it on as soon as I start the push back, and leave it that way until I reach cruise speed and altitute. Then I have to turn it on before I take the first action to start the descent procedures.

My doubt is, when the flight is short, for example, some 180 nautical miles, the time to get to a cruise altutite of 38,000 ft. and then descend from that altitute leaves almost no time for the seatbelt sign to be off, as the time the plane will spend in cruise is small. And the pasengers get no service!!

The thing is, in real flights between the same locations that I was on as a passenger, there was always plenty of time for the meals with that sight off, and also, in an overseas trip I took once, I remember clearly that the sign was off during a good part of the descent, only getting lit when the plane was much closer to the airport and starting to take the first turns.

I tried to diminish the cruise altitute to around 25,000 ft. and that helped, of course, but fuel is spent generally at a greater rate and I am also not sure if that is the correct procedure.

So my question is: is there a standard procedure to turn/off the fasten seatbelt sign at specific parts of the flight? I know about the takeoff and occasional turbulence, but if the weather permits, can I turn it off if my ascend/descend rate is smooth? Can I leave it off while taking the first turns during the approach provided that I use shallow bank angles (10-degrees at most)? I don't suppose I should leave it off during turns, but I'd like to hear from you on this as well.

Thanks in advance!!!!

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Reply #1 - Nov 8^th, 2011 at 7:52am

DaveSims Offline
Colonel
Clear Lake, Iowa

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If the air is smooth, you will sometimes see the fasten seatbelt sign come off at 10,000. Above that, it is usually the pilot's judgement if it is safe.

Dave

www.flymcw.com

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Reply #2 - Nov 8^th, 2011 at 10:53pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

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Posts: 5255

I've noticed that it's usually 15-20 minutes before landing and 20-30 minutes from takeoff.

I would presume it depends on these things:
Imminent danger (turbulance, weather, airports, aircraft, etc)
Aircraft flight path (steep descent/ascent, or tight turns)
And generally being stable and comfortable for the passengers to come out of their seats.

There is probably a legal maximum pitch/roll where you can have the seat belt sign off. Generally though, so long as you're being steady, I think that's a viable time to come out of your seats.

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Reply #3 - Nov 16^th, 2011 at 7:12am

Gregorio Offline
Colonel
Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Posts: 40

Thanks for the help. I am trying to follow these tips to assess the right time to turn the sign on/off. When I am finally lined up with my route and on a steady climb I will turn it off and when I receive the first instruction to descend I turn it on. Of couse, provided that the air is smooth. It seems to work better that way.

Again, thanks for the help!!!

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Reply #4 - Nov 16^th, 2011 at 1:36pm

skoker Offline
Colonel
Jordan never wore his
safety goggles...
1G3

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Posts: 4611

91.107 says
Quote:

(2) No pilot may cause to be moved on the surface, take off, or land a U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a free balloon that incorporates a basket or gondola, or an airship type certificated before November 2, 1987) unless the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures that each person on board has been notified to fasten his or her safety belt and, if installed, his or her shoulder harness.

So this means when on the ground, taxing, takeoff up to 10000ftMSL or cruse altitude if lower, in rough air, 10000ftMSL to landing, and taxing to the gate the sign must be on.

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Reply #5 - Nov 29^th, 2011 at 7:40am

Gregorio Offline
Colonel
Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Posts: 40

Yes. Thanks for addition. I had a chance to talk to a 737 pilot and he told me exactly that: unless you have a special condition like turbulence, the switch goes to the "auto" position at 10,000 ft when climbing and goes back to "on" at the same altitude when descending.

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Reply #6 - Jan 18^th, 2012 at 7:39am

Jokerc152 Offline
Colonel
High Speed, Low Drag!

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Gregorio wrote on Nov 29^th, 2011 at 7:40am:

Yes. Thanks for addition. I had a chance to talk to a 737 pilot and he told me exactly that: unless you have a special condition like turbulence, the switch goes to the "auto" position at 10,000 ft when climbing and goes back to "on" at the same altitude when descending.

Yeah thanks i always thought it was after levelling off or at a climb rate of like 500 fps?

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