Aircraft Seat Belts

Fact Check: Need an airline with a sense of humor? You're confirmed

Times-Union readers want to know:

I received an email about an airline that prints some pretty funny signs on the outside of its planes and its flight attendants say some outrageous things in flight. Can this possibly be true?

It's hard to believe that there's an airline with a sense of humor, but this carrier definitely has one.

The South African airline Kulula (from the Zulu word meaning easily) originated in August 2001 as that country's first low-fare airline. It is owned by Comair Limited, a franchisee of British Airways, according to Kulula's website. It operates about 325 flights a week.

Kulula added a 737 in February 2010 that features some funny exterior signs, such as an arrow pointing to the captain's side of the cockpit with the words, "The big cheese," as well as other markings with arrows pointing to "co-captain," "nose cone" and "black box (which is actually orange)."

Photos of the bright green plane called "Flying 101" have been sparking comments on the Internet.

According to Kulula's website, "Flying 101" was "designed in-house by our graphic design team as part of our bigger strategy to demystify air travel and explain some of the unknowns around air travel and flying."

Kulula has other planes with interesting designs, such as the "camo" plane that proclaims, "no one saw us coming." More photos can be seen at https://www.kululu.com (note the https, and scroll down to "Meet our fleet").

And Kulula also has a rewards program: "Kulula moolah." Could it be called anything else?

In addition, Kulula flight attendants have been known to say some quirky things, according to several news articles and South Africa Travel Online:

"If you are caught smoking, you will be asked to leave the aircraft."

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."

"To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull the belt tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one by now, then you probably shouldn't be allowed out in public unsupervised."

"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only four ways out of this airplane."

After a hard landing into Cape Town: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate.

FAA general aviation seat belt and seating requirement proposal ...

On June 23, the FAA issued a proposal to clarify the use of seat belts and seating requirements of General Aviation flights pertaining to 14 CFR 91.107(a)(3). Prior interpretations of the law state that the shared use of a single restraint may be permissible.

The proposed clarification states that the use of a seat belt and/or seat by more than one occupant is appropriate only if: The seat belt is approved and rated for such use; the structural strength requirements for the seat are not exceeded; and the seat usage conforms with the limitations contained in the approved portion of the Airplane Flight Manual. The proposed clarification also emphasizes that the proper restraint method for children during operations conducted under part 91 relies on the good judgment of the pilot, who should be intimately aware of the capabilities and structural requirements of the aircraft that he or she is operating.

The FAA is asking for comments related to the proposed clarification by August 22, 2011.

For more information, please  click here .

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