Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 12000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy
I am writing to express my concerns over the removal of 1 copy of the QRH from the flight deck. In my opinion; this practice may compromise safety. My concern primarily pertains to a situation in which the non-flying pilot must utilize the QRH but it's located next to the flying pilot. There are non-normals that arise and the flying pilot may be able to hand off the QRH to the non-flying pilot; but as you know; there are many non-normals in which it would not be prudent for the flying pilot to attempt to hand off the QRH to the non-flying pilot. An argument could be made that the QRH should be switched from side to side and should at all times be next to the non-flying pilot. But; during an abnormal; the role of non-flying pilot may change with the circumstances. Of course the electronic version of the QRH may also be utilized. Though to me; using the iPad to simultaneously run a QRH checklist; and utilize it for Jepp charts may expose pilots to unnecessary risk. A paper QRH allows pilots to physically hold their finger next to items yet to be completed while at the same time use the iPad to reference a Jepp chart. In sum; it seems that if we are still going to provide the aircraft with one copy of the QRH; there is little to be saved by not providing two.
Air carrier Captain reported his concern with his airline's decision to remove one of the hard copy QRHs from the cockpit; leaving one hard copy and the iPad as source material for QRH procedures.