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What Should I Expect from Flight Safety Training?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Flight safety training can vary considerably depending on the type of training being offered and the facility. People who are interested in such training or who need to take it for work should make sure that the facility they plan to attend offers a course which will meet the needs, and may want to consider a tour to get a better idea of what the facility is like. Touring also offers a chance to talk to current students about their experiences.

For pilots, flight safety training is focused on teaching people to pilot planes safely in all conditions. It includes classroom room, experience in flight simulators, and opportunities to fly aircraft. Instructors go over the basics of how aircraft work and discuss their safety systems, and then delve into problems which can occur during flight, ranging from loss of cabin pressure to heavy weather.

Cabin crew should expect to be taught emergency egress procedures during flight safety training.
Cabin crew should expect to be taught emergency egress procedures during flight safety training.

In flight safety training for pilots, the goal is to make pilots methodical and consistent, and to drill knowledge so thoroughly that pilots can respond automatically during an emergency situation. The course usually covers the most common safety threats and ways to deal with them, and familiarizes pilots with safety procedures. At the end of the flight safety training, graduates have a certification which can be valuable when seeking employment. Flight safety training can also be offered to pilots who train other pilots, in which case students are provided with information about working safely with student pilots.

All aircrew must become familiar with boarding and escape plans.
All aircrew must become familiar with boarding and escape plans.

For cabin crew, flight safety training is focused less on actions which can be taken to control the aircraft and more on measures to keep the cabin safe. This includes routine training to maintain safety and control, as well as training to provide people with skills which they can use in emergency response. Crew flight safety training can include training in what to do if the cabin loses pressure, how to handle injuries in the cabin, and how to prepare passengers for emergency landings and evacuations. It may also cover terrorism and how to handle suspicious activity on an aircraft.

During flight safety training, air crew rehearse emergency procedures together.
During flight safety training, air crew rehearse emergency procedures together.

Some schools focus on commercial aircraft such as jumbo jets, while others may offer training in private and small aircraft like private jets. Some flight safety training is full time, while other trainings allow students to work while taking the training. Students usually need to pass tests in order to graduate from flight safety training. The length of the course can vary, depending on a number of factors, and students may be required to complete training within a set time period in some areas.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Cabin crew should expect to be taught emergency egress procedures during flight safety training.
      By: Aaron Kohr
      Cabin crew should expect to be taught emergency egress procedures during flight safety training.
    • All aircrew must become familiar with boarding and escape plans.
      By: Carlson
      All aircrew must become familiar with boarding and escape plans.
    • During flight safety training, air crew rehearse emergency procedures together.
      By: pixel974
      During flight safety training, air crew rehearse emergency procedures together.
    • Crop duster pilots must undergo extensive safety training due to the number of obstacles they face when flying at low altitudes.
      By: Sly
      Crop duster pilots must undergo extensive safety training due to the number of obstacles they face when flying at low altitudes.
    • Some flight safety schools specialize in training small aircraft personnel.
      By: miklyxa13
      Some flight safety schools specialize in training small aircraft personnel.