Which statement from a crew member is an appropriate example of chatter during sterile cockpit operations?

• A. There is a plane about 100 yards from us at 3 o'clock.
• B. This patient's condition is critical.
• C. I think the ventilator has become disconnected.
• D. The refueling truck was out-of-service last week.

Answer: (A)

During sterile cockpit operations, communications are limited to what is essential for flight safety during critical phases. Mentioning a nearby aircraft directly contributes to collision avoidance and situational awareness, helping the pilot maintain safe separation. That makes this statement an appropriate example of chatter.

Discussing a patient’s condition or a medical equipment issue, while important, does not relate to flight safety during the sterile phase and therefore is not appropriate chatter in that context. Similarly, mentioning a refueling truck’s status from the past is nonessential to the flight safety at hand.