Forum: aviation.stackexchange.com
Tags: <commercial-aviation><cockpit>
Title: How can I get a ride in the jump seat as a non-professional pilot?
Question: A couple of years ago, I had a strong fear of flying. Now, I really enjoy it. In fact, it is a dream of mine to sit in  the jumpseat of an A320 during takeoff. I've had a handful of flying lessons.  If I took my logbook and explained my interest to the captain, is there any chance this could happen? If not, how could I make it happen?

Answers:
sents: text: It's hugely unlikely.
text: Almost vanishingly unlikely, with few exceptions perhaps for something a little smaller than a passenger-carrying A380 (like a private jet on a repositioning flight where you know the captain well) You used to be able to go up and see the captain on the flight deck -
text: I did it a few times as a kid.
text: Even then asking to sit in the jump seat was usually met with a smirk.
text: And then 9-11 happened.
text: With effect from 1 November 2003, ICAO Annex 6 was amended so that under Chapter 13.2.2 “all passenger-carrying aeroplanes of a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 45 500 kg or with a passenger seating capacity greater than 60 shall be equipped with an approved flight crew
text: compartment door that is designed to resist penetration by small arms fire and grenade shrapnel, and to resist forcible intrusions by unauthorised persons.
text: This door shall be capable of being locked and unlocked from either pilot’s station”.
text: And with that came locking of the cockpit door, and no more visits to the cockpit during flight
text: (incidentally, if you ask nicely, the captain will often let kids take a peek when they're deplaning the passengers)
text: And then germanwings happened, and they had a rethink.
text: But still no visits to the cockpit during flight at all for the average Joe.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/100/Jamiec
score: 21
sents: text: As a non-professional pilot, to get a ride in the cockpit jumpseat, you'd have to meet at least three conditions: company policy must allow passenger in jumpseat PIC must allow passenger in jumpseat you'd have to be well known and trusted person to either SIC or PIC (preferrably PIC) If you fail to meet any of those, no jumpseat ride for you.
text: So, very slim chances, but not impossible.
text: The aforementioned is based on personal experience, multiple occasions, and applies to a major intercontinental airline which I will not name.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/42636/Jpe61
score: 12
sents: text: I regrettably inform you that your chances are very slim, outside of actually completing the training required to fly the aircraft.
text: In this world where aircraft terrorism is always a concern, you would have to have a very good reason to convince the captain why he has to put a complete stranger in the cockpit.
text: To the captain, the stranger is simply someone claiming to have flight experience.
text: To the stranger, it may be an experience; to the captain, it is a routine, daily job, with schedules, policies and regulations to follow.
text: In my airline, this would be strictly against policy.
text: Even if we were to jumpseat a flight attendant, there has to a necessity to do so (e.g. no rooms in the cabin / broken seat etc.)
text: There are companies that provide simulator rides to the general public.
text: There are none that provide a jump seat ride as far as I've heard.
text: Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the linked company.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/3386/kevin
score: 3
sents: text: I would suggest to purchase a training session for A320 in a certified flight simulator like this one , for instance.
text: I understand this is not a real flight, but these simulators feature full scale cockpits with all controls, and the realistic algorithms to simulate the flight itself.
text: A
text: after the instructor giving you an introduction, you will be able to take the controls yourself during take off.
text: This may work pretty well as a counter-measure against the fear of flying.
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/917/h22
score: 1
sents: text: This is not really direct answer to the question 'as-is'.
text: It's more answer to '
text: how can a Non-Pilot' fly regularly in the jumpseat.
text: Just become Flight Dispatcher.
text: In many airlines that gives you 'Known Crew' badge.
text: And with it and PIC permission you can fly in the cockpit as much as you wish.
text: Dispatchers even trump flight attendands in that regard.
text: Regular jumpsitting is part of the work actually.
text: Some FDs just use it as a meaning of commute - in the US per ALPAs rules AFAIK.
text: The catch - in the EU
text: the training is 2000 EUR, the course requires you to pass 14 exams - the very same as for ATPL :D &
answer_details: author: aviation.stackexchange.com/users/31753/Sholay
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
It seems it is almost impossible for a passeneger to get a ride in the jumpseat in the cockpit. Most airlines would not permit this. The best option is to do it in a simulator.
While some would argue that there is no clear answer to the question in the way it is posed, the general consensus is that this is hugely unlikely to happen, as in order to be able to be inside the cockpit, due to the rise in terrorism, certain strict conditions must be met. The best solution is to experience this in a flight simulator.