Ever wonder what pilots are talking about in the cockpit? I can tell you what they’re not talking about under 10,000 feet; sports, lunch plans, partners, or weekend trips.
When taxiing, taking off, flying below 10,000 feet, or landing, pilots follow what’s called the Sterile Cockpit Rule.
A sterile cockpit is an aviation safety rule that prohibits flight crews from engaging in non-essential activities and conversation during critical phases of flight, primarily below 10,000 feet. These phases include taxiing, takeoff, and landing, as well as any other operations below 10,000 feet. The goal is to reduce distractions and ensure the crew can focus on the complex and crucial task of flying the aircraft safely. — FAA
That’s a formal way of saying: shut up and fly the plane.
Those moments demand full attention; talking through what you see, what’s coming next, and what the checklist says. It’s all about awareness, teamwork, and focus when it matters most.
