When is it permissible to unstrap during shutdown?

• A. Before engine shutdown
• B. After engine shutdown
• C. During shutdown
• D. After taxi

Answer: (D)

Keep your seat belt fastened whenever you are seated in the cockpit during ground operations. The strap is there to protect you from unexpected movement if something starts or shifts while the aircraft is on the move or during the shutdown process. You only unstrap once the aircraft is fully parked and secured after taxiing to the designated area. At that point the engine is shut down and the aircraft is in a safe, stationary position, so exiting can be done without risk from movement or rotor/prop hazards. Unstrapping during shutdown or while still in motion on the ground would expose you to those hazards, which is why the correct time is after taxi.