Lots of people use the Boston airport to reach various domestic and international designation. How safe do you feel while flying? Did you hear the story of the Germanwings' plane that may have been deliberately crashed by the co-pilot, while the pilot was locked out of the cockpit? Can you imagine being in a plane and having something like this happen? Following 9/11, we have all witnessed plenty of changes taking place in terms of cockpit security. The main goal was to try to make hijacking a lot more difficult. But what does the US Federal Aviation Administration have to say about doors and locks on cockpits? Let's find out!

Cockpit Doors Should Withstand Grenade Blasts

  • According to the American Federal Aviation Administration, cockpit doors should be tough enough to withstand a grenade blast. The doors are also left locked during flights. Cockpit security systems should enable pilots to access the cockpit.

  • At the same time, access can also be deliberately denied from within the cockpit. Airbus planes for example feature various modes for their cockpit doors, that can be operated from the pilots' seats: unlock, normal, and lock.

  • If the person in the cockpit is in any way incapacitated, there is an emergency touchpad that will enable the cabin crew to enter via an access code. During normal mode, the cockpit is locked, but can still be accessed after a 30-second delay with the help of a touchpad. This occurs if the cabin crew cannot get a response from the pilot.

  • The "unlocked" enables a pilot to open the cockpit door for a colleague returning from the restroom. Finally, locked mode refers to the locking mechanism that will disregard the the touchpad entry code and keep the door locked for five minutes. The process can then be repeated, if necessary. This mode is most suitable to prevent hijackers from entering the cockpit, despite of the fact that they have gotten the cabin crew code.

  • A well-established automotive locksmith services with experience in the trade should be able to handle any type of rising issues with locks on cockpit doors. It is imperative for plane owners to keep in touch with trustworthy and reliable locksmiths that specialize in automotive services. They should perform constant inspections and assessments and have everything fixed on time, prior to upcoming flights.

  • Certain planes also feature screens informing pilots about the persons outside the cockpit door. When pilots are not able to enter the cockpit, his colleagues have most likely denied his entry.

  • The matter of how many people should be inside the cockpit at any given moment is also important. For example, in the United States, whenever the pilot takes a break, a flight attendant will immediately step into the cockpit.

  • Some airlines used the so-called rule of two. This means that if the pilot leaves the cockpit for any length of time, a different crew member needs to replace them immediately.

  • Cockpit doors were made stronger in order to prevent terrorist access after 9/11, so your next Boston flight should be and feel a lot safer.