Flying with a dog? Read this first.
Consider these preparations and precautions before you takeoff with a canine passenger.
By Brad C. Zeigler, FAA Aviation Safety Analyst
Know Your Dog
How your dog behaves in the car is a great indicator of how they’ll do in-flight. If your pooch is known to get sick just by looking at your car, you might want to skip that flight. However, if they can’t wait to jump in the car for the ride to the airport, chances are they’ll love the plane too.
Make a Spot in the Plane for Your Dog
Dogs are pack animals and like cozy, secure spots. A familiar travel crate, or even a spot in the cargo area with plenty of blankets will do. For everyone’s safety, you’ll want to secure your pooch pal.
If you can get your dog to tolerate canine hearing protection gear, that’s great. Not all dogs will, but making a comfortable space in the plane with blankets will help them a great deal with the noise and motion of the new environment.
Bring a Human Flight Attendant
Especially if your dog doesn’t have a lot of GA flight experience, a human flight attendant can be a big help. As a pilot, you need to focus on the flying, and a dog who is not handling the flight well can be a big distraction.
Be Strategic with Food and Water
Don’t starve or dehydrate your pooch, but minimize large intakes of food and water prior to takeoff. Remember, gas in the body expands at altitude. Limit the duration of the flight and plan for interim stops on longer flights to give your doggy a chance to stretch his legs (and perhaps mark some new territory at the same time).
Brad C. Zeigler is an aviation safety analyst with the FAA’s General Aviation and Commercial Division. He is also an Airline Transport Pilot, Certificated Flight Instructor and frequent Cessna 182 flyer around the Washington, D.C., area.
