What are the crew restrictions during the sterile cockpit rule?

• A. During sterile cockpit, the crew should only be focused on communication and activities that directly relate to the safe operation of the aircraft.
• B. During sterile cockpit, the crew may perform nonessential duties during sterile cockpit as long as not during critical phases.
• C. Sterile cockpit imposes no restrictions on crew conversations.
• D. Only the pilot-in-command is restricted during sterile cockpit.

Answer: (A)

The sterile cockpit rule is about keeping the crew’s attention on flight safety during the most critical phases of flight. In that period, only communications and activities that directly relate to the safe operation of the aircraft should occur. That means avoid nonessential chatter, personal tasks, or anything not needed to fly or manage safety risk. The restriction applies to everyone in the cockpit, not just the pilot in command, and it covers times when operations are in a sterile environment (such as taxi, takeoff, and landing, and generally whenever the flight is in the critical phase below applicable altitude). If something safety-related comes up, address it, but otherwise keep discussions and duties strictly related to operating the aircraft.