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Decision making and flight planningQuestion 925 of 934

What is the purpose of a sterile flight deck?

  1. To keep the flight deck sealed from smoke and fumes
  2. To keep the radios silent for the whole length of the flight
  3. To keep the flight deck free of nonessential talk
  4. To keep the flight deck free of all electronic devices
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Correct answer: To keep the flight deck free of nonessential talk

The handbook suggests a sterile flight deck from departure to the first intermediate altitude and during arrival.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 2: Aeronautical Decision-Making — Managing Risks, page 64

Practice decision making and flight planning

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026