If smoke fills the flight deck, what is the first action you should take?

When smoke fills the flight deck, the first critical action to take is to don the emergency oxygen mask. This is essential for maintaining personal safety and ensuring continued pilot performance. The presence of smoke can significantly impair visibility and create a hazardous environment, leading to potential disorientation or loss of consciousness due to smoke inhalation. By utilizing the emergency oxygen mask, the pilots can secure their oxygen supply, which is vital for both physiological function and maintaining situational awareness.

Once the emergency masks are donned, the next steps, including communication with cabin personnel, initiating emergency landing procedures, or evacuation, can be addressed more effectively without the immediate risk of incapacitation. Providing oxygen allows the flight crew to remain alert and capable of managing the emergency effectively, which is paramount in critical situations like smoke in the cockpit.