FAA Military Competency Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Exam Prep

The requirement for each required flight crewmember to keep their shoulder harness fastened is specific to critical phases of flight. This regulation aims to enhance safety by ensuring that crew members are properly secured during periods when the aircraft is most likely to experience turbulence or other forces that could lead to injury.

Throughout a flight, there are certain phases where the risk is heightened, particularly during takeoff and landing. These moments are when the aircraft is transitioning to and from flight, and any sudden manoeuvres or unexpected events can occur. By requiring shoulder harnesses to be secured during these phases, the regulation minimizes the risk of injury, reinforcing the importance of being properly restrained when the aircraft is subject to significant changes in motion and altitude.

While other situations like taxiing or cruising at altitude may still require safety precautions, the focus on securing harnesses specifically during takeoff and landing reflects these critical operational priorities. This is why the regulation emphasizes fastening shoulder harnesses during these specific phases instead of throughout the entire flight or in other scenarios.