Module 10:

Cabin Crew Professional Development

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• Describe strategies for managing stress and fatigue

• Describe career progression opportunities for cabin crew
• Explain licensing requirements for cabin crew

Module Learning
Objectives
Upon completion of
this module, you
should be
able to:

Module Introduction
In the previous modules we have described the knowledge base and the tasks
that cabin crew are expected to perform. Because the main responsibility of the
cabin crew has to do with safety procedures, there are strict regulations about
the acceptable level of performance of these tasks. There are a number of
tasks that require maximum physical, mental and emotional concentration. In
emergency situations human lives depend on the level of performance of the
cabin crew. In this module we will focus on issues pertaining to the personal
and professional life of cabin crew.
In the first unit we will describe several life style aspects that have a direct
impact on one's ability to perform. Cabin crew need to have a clear
understanding how their life style choices impact their work. Of special
importance is the cabin crew's ability to manage their stress and fatigue
because these have implications for the health of the cabin crew as well as
level of performance.
In the second unit we will focus on the career and professional development
options that are available for cabin crew. Because cabin crew develop a very
valuable set of skills there are a number of possibilities available to them.
However, one key condition is the cabin crew's ability to learn and develop
their skills. We will also describe the training requirements and opportunities
that are available for cabin crew.

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10.1 The Cabin Crew Profession and Life

Style Choices

• Describe requirements for adequate rest before taking a flight assignment

Unit Learning • Describe the regulation for cabin crew's consumption of alcohol and drugs
Objectives
Upon completion of this • Explain the effects of fatigue on cabin crew's performance
unit, you should be
able to: • Identify stress coping strategies

Unit Overview
Cabin crew are expected to maintain a certain level of competency which
includes their physical, mental and emotional aptitude. For this reason we will
look at all these three dimensions of human personality and how they interact
to impact cabin crew performance. It is important for cabin crew to be aware of
how their emotional well being impacts their physical and mental abilities.
Similarly, physical exhaustion affects one's emotional and mental capacities.
In this unit we will describe how stress and fatigue impact performance and
what life style choices cabin crew need to make in order to be able to perform
at their best and develop professionally. We will share a number of strategies
that have proven effective in coping with stress and fatigue. Stressful situations
and fatigue cannot be avoided, but they can be managed.

Key Learning Point

Fatigue is a term used in aviation to describe a reduction in performance
when a person does not have the required amount of sleep.

10.1.1 Keeping Fit and Managing Fatigue

The role of cabin crew is predominantly safety related, with the added
requirements of excellent customer service. Regulatory authorities cannot
prescribe conditions for the service element of the role, but they do have
regulations regarding cabin crew's ability to perform the safety related duties. If
a cabin crew member becomes unwell on board they will be unable to perform
these duties and there may not be enough cabin crew on board to take over
their role, so the rules are in place to prevent such situations.
In order to perform effectively the safety related tasks of the role, cabin crew
must ensure that they are medically fit to fly at all times when reporting for
duty. When first employed by an airline, cabin crew will undergo a medical
assessment to demonstrate that they do not have any underlying medical
conditions which could worsen when flying at altitude. This medical assess-
ment will normally include the digestive system, eyesight, hearing, heart and
lung functions as well as checks of the ear, nose and throat to ensure that
pressure changes will not be likely to cause additional problems for the crew
member. After passing this initial medical assessment, the responsibility for
maintaining physical fitness and strength lies with the cabin crew member.
Some regulators require ongoing medical checks at regular intervals in order to
prove that crew members remain physically fit for duty.

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When reporting for a flight, cabin crew have to prepare themselves to work for
the maximum permitted number of hours, regardless of the flight that was
assigned to them as the nature of airline operations means that things can
change with very short notice. For example, when reporting for a flight from
Sydney to Melbourne which takes a little over an hour of flying, cabin crew
could easily encounter a delay meaning that they might not arrive until several
hours later. This delay could be caused by a variety of factors outside the
airline's control (poor weather, technical faults, etc.) and cabin crew are
expected to remain focussed throughout their time on board the aircraft. It is,
therefore, vital that cabin crew manage properly rest time to ensure that they
remain fit and prepared for every eventuality.
Fatigue is a term used in aviation to describe a reduction in performance
when a person does not have the required amount of sleep. For example, at
the end of the flight a cabin crew member may accidentally forget to disarm
the door because they have been awake for an extended period and their
attention to tasks is reduced. This could then result in them accidentally
deploying the slide when the door is opened and cause injuries to people
outside the aircraft and delay the next departure. This is known as inadvertent
slide deployment and remains one of the key areas of concern for many
airlines.
Training in managing fatigue is gradually being introduced among IATA
member airlines. The principles are the same whichever airline a cabin crew
member works for. The important point here is that airlines rely on the cabin
crew to take action to prevent fatigue.
Some of they key principles of managing fatigue are as follows:
1. Cabin crew should ensure that they get enough sleep. It is generally
accepted that most people need an average of eight hours of sleep every
night in order to remain free from tiredness and fatigue. This time period may
be increased or decreased according to each individual's state of health, but
eight hours is the guide. Flying during the night means that cabin crew are not
able to achieve the required eight hours of sleep. Therefore they should
manage their rest periods before and after the flight in an effort to catch up on
any sleep that they have missed.
2. Cabin crew should ensure that they get good quality sleep. When we
fall asleep, we go through different cycles of sleep at regular intervals. The
amount of time in the deepest sleep cycle is most beneficial to us. Therefore it
is important that the place of rest permits to fall asleep properly without
interruption. For example, the mobile phone, television or computer should be
turned off so that one is not distracted or woken by noises or calls. If the room
is light, one should ensure that it is darkened or wear eyeshades. If there are
distracting noises around, wearing earplugs may be considered. By giving
oneself the best chance of falling asleep, one is more likely to be well rested
when one wakes up.
Some people suffer from sleep disorders which may prevent them from falling
asleep, without realising. For example, a person who snores may wake
themselves up briefly at regular intervals and then fall asleep again. This type
of frequent interruption will prevent them from falling into the deepest sleep.
Often the only way a person finds out that they snore is from a sleeping
partner such as husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend.

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3. Cabin crew can take short naps from time to time. It is recognised in
many cultures that a short nap can be beneficial in maintaining best
performance. Our own body clock cycles reach a low point in the mid
afternoon which we should take advantage of by taking a short nap when
duties allow.
Even though crew members should stay alert at all times during flight,
unexpected fatigue can occur as a result of sleep disturbance and circadian
disruption. To cover for this unexpected fatigue, and to regain a high level of
alertness, many airlines adopt a controlled rest procedure.
Controlled rest has been shown to increase significantly levels of alertness
during the later phases of flight, particularly after the top of descent, and is
considered a good use of CRM principles. Controlled rest should be used in
conjunction with other on board fatigue management countermeasures such as
physical exercise, bright cockpit illumination at appropriate times, balanced
eating and drinking, and intellectual activity. The maximum rest time has been
chosen to limit deep sleep with consequent long recovery time (sleep inertia).
4. Cabin crew should recognise their natural body clock cycle and rest
where appropriate. Our own natural body clock cycle passes through wake
and sleep patterns each day. The length of these cycles is dependent on our
own lifestyle, habits and exposure to daylight/darkness. This cycle is called
the circadian rhythm. If we are trying to get to sleep at a time when our
circadian rhythm is waking up, then our sleep will be shorter and of poorer
quality. By recognising our own circadian rhythm and trying to sleep at the
most appropriate times, our sleep will be of a much better quality.
5. Cabin crew should manage home life and responsibilities. It is
important to manage personal responsibilities and home life, particularly when
working through a series of flights. If cabin crew have domestic responsibilities
like caring for children/partner then they should inform others in the house that
they will be resting so to avoid interruption from sleep.
6. Managing social activities is important. Social activities and events
should be managed to avoid interfering with work duties and allow sufficient
rest and recovery time before starting work. Any stopover time allocated to
crew at a destination is counted as rest time and should be used to catch up
on rest before operating the next sector, but it is expected that cabin and flight
crew will take the opportunity to socialize and enjoy the destination. Crew
members need to develop habits which ensure that they are able to catch up
on rest with good quality sleep and naps before operating the next flight.
7. Cabin crew should make sure they eat properly. A healthy well
balanced diet will help the body to recover from long duties, aid sleep, and
have enough energy to complete flying duties. An important strategy is to eat
at regular intervals, even while on duty, and include a balance of proteins (e.g.
meat/fish/egg/soya) and carbohydrate (e.g. rice/potato/vegetables) in every
meal, rather than go for the easier option of carbohydrate snacks like potato
chips, chocolates or sugary foods. While the demands of the cabin crew role
often prevent regular eating patterns, it is vital to create a strategy for
overcoming this. The strategy may include taking food on board. If carrying
food onboard, cabin crew will need to remember not to carry liquid based
foods through security checks otherwise these will be confiscated. Food is
usually loaded on board specifically for crew members but this may not suit all
individual tastes.

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10.1.2 Drugs, Alcohol and

Psychoactive Substances
All staff involved in aircraft safety (and in most cases all other airline staff also)
are required to comply with strict rules regarding the consumption of alcohol,
drugs or other psychoactive substances, as these negatively affect one's ability
to perform their work properly.
Generally, the requirements state that alcohol must not be consumed within
eight hours prior to starting a duty, nor while on duty and that the a crew
member's blood must not contain more than 0.2 ml/0.007oz per litre/35oz, or
0.2 for every thousand units of measurement when starting a duty. As this
regulation allows a very small amount of alcohol to be in the blood, cabin crew
should be very careful that they do not consume too much alcohol the day or
night before a duty. On average, the body digests (metabolises) alcohol at a
rate of 10ml/8g per hour but this varies according to age, sex and weight. This
means that it will generally take the following time to metabolise these alcoholic
drinks:
• Small single shot of spirit based drink - 1 hour
• Small glass (125 ml/4oz) of wine - 1.5 hours
• Bottle of beer (330 ml/11oz) - 1.7 hours
• Large can of beer - 2 hours
• Large glass (250 ml/9oz) of wine - 3 hours
Psychoactive drugs are those which affect the operation of the brain. This
includes all illegal drugs e.g. cocaine, marijuana, that, amphetamines, solvents,
etc. Cabin crew are strictly forbidden to use such substances as they will affect
their ability to perform safety duties and manage emergencies.

Key Learning Point

Random testing may be carried out by airlines or by regulators to check
that cabin and flight crew are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs
while at work.
Random testing may be carried out by airlines or by regulators to check that
cabin and flight crew are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs while at
work and the consequences can be serious for the individual, along with
negative publicity for the airline.
Cabin crew should also be aware that even though various medicines may be
sold over the counter in pharmacies or drugstores, many medicines can also
affect a crew member's ability to carry out safety duties. Whenever on a flying
duty, cabin crew should avoid taking antihistamines, anti-sickness or other
medications which could make them drowsy or sleepy. Always read the
warning and instruction labels and leaflets with any medication taken and if it
states that one should not use machinery, then you should also not fly as
operating cabin crew.

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10.1.3 Managing Stress

Most jobs encounter a level of stress, but if these are not managed and
become excessive they may impact physical and mental health. Flying as
cabin crew can be a stressful job for many reasons. Many of the advantages
of the role can also add to the stress encountered. For example:

Advantages Disadvantages
Cabin crew do not have to do the daily Often not available for social activities
commute to work in the rush hour. and family commitments such as
Their journey to work will often take birthdays, weddings, etc.
less time than others who have a job
working standard daily hours.
Shopping can be carried out at times Will often miss public holidays, festi-
when shopping centres and super- vals and religious occasions
markets are quiet.
A variety of work days and schedules Irregular sleeping patterns and sleep-
to keep interest ing in hotels
A variety of destinations and travel to Irregular eating patterns meaning that
places not otherwise seen nutrition may suffer
Cabin crew are generally sociable and Can be a tendency to “burn the candle
support each other whenever away at both ends” and become exhausted.
from home
Disruption of circadian rhythm can
add to tiredness and potential for
fatigue.
Tiredness and fatigue can result
in mood swings and depression if
not managed.
Table 10.1.3—Advantages and disadvantages of the cabin crew working style

Key Learning Point

Recognising stress is an important skill for cabin crew as excessive stress can
impact the ability to communicate properly and provide excellent customer
service.
Recognising stress is an important skill for cabin crew as excessive stress can
impact the ability to communicate properly and provide excellent customer
service.
Cabin crew can encounter stress at any stage of a duty and will need to look
out for the symptoms so that they can step in to help reduce stress on their
colleagues. Any of the following can add stress to cabin crew in their duties.
Time–Each flight has a predetermined flight time which means that the cabin
crew have to provide and complete the required services to passengers
within a set time period, ensuring that everything is put away and secured in
time for landing. This can sometimes make the end of a flight a very busy and
stressful time.
Working at night, when the body clock is trying to get one to sleep, also adds
stress to the body and makes one feel more tired.
Passengers–The more passengers carried, the busier the workload of the
crew. With more passengers come more demands and requests and problems
to solve. Passengers often complain to cabin crew. For example, if their seat is
broken, their entertainment device doesn't work, their choice of meal is not

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available or they are not sitting with their family or group members. All
passenger complaints add to the stress of the cabin crew.
Technical problems–If any faults occur with the aircraft or the fixtures and
fittings, cabin crew may be faced with an increased workload. For example, a
faulty aircraft may cause a delay in which passengers need helping, or a faulty
toilet may result in cabin crew having to deal with more passengers queuing in
the aisles while they work. Passengers often complain to cabin crew if their
seat does not function properly.

Key Learning Point

The effects of stress should be managed on every flight, in order to prevent the
long term negative effects.
The effects of stress should be managed on every flight, in order to prevent the
long term negative effects. Within a duty period, cabin crew should be alert to
other crew showing the short term physical effects such as sweating or
reddening of face, anxiety or emotional responses such as becoming tearful,
aggressive or short tempered. If one crew member sees a colleague showing
these symptoms, they should offer help. Cabin crew are generally very team
orientated and are able to share workload between them as they have had
training in Crew Resource Management and are able to recognise where
problems such as stress may affect the smooth running of a flight.
“Letting off steam” is a universal stress coping strategy and simply requires
talking to a sympathetic colleague about the problems encountered. Cabin
crew generally feel better about a stressful situation after talking it through
with a colleague.
If not managed correctly at work, stress can often cause an individual to suffer
long term effects. These symptoms include both mental and physical effects
which can lead to significant health problems. These symptoms can include:
• Mental - Anxiety, depression, mood swings
• Heart, lungs and circulation - High blood pressure, heart disease,
heart palpitations
• Skin - Eczema, psoriasis, dryness
• Metabolism - Increase of body fat, Insulin resistance
• Muscles and joints - Loss of muscle function and structure,
soreness, stiffness, osteoporosis
• Digestive system - Low appetite, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers
• Immune system - Increased susceptibility to some infectious diseases
Stress cannot be eliminated from our lives and there will be times when we are
more exposed to the possibility of stress than others. The following tips are
recommended for managing stress and helping prevent the long term effects
taking over.
1. An active lifestyle. Regular exercise and physical activity help to focus
on reducing some of the emotions one feels when stressed and make them
feel more able to cope with problems.
2. Taking control of the problem. People that feel that they are not in
control of a situation become more stressed. By taking control of a problem
and working towards fixing it helps become less stressed.
3. Connecting with people. Building a network of friends and family that
one can turn to if or when in need of help. Flying as cabin crew can mean
frequent

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separation from loved ones or friends, which is why cabin crew will often stick
together while on a duty and create new friendships.
4. Using rest time wisely. One effective strategy is to make time to do
something that is not work related and is personal so that the days off duty
are a real joy.
5. Challenging oneself. Setting goals and challenges in life is important
because it creates a sense that one is working towards a goal. This can help
to increase positive thinking when the goals are reached and keep the mind
active rather than passive.
6. Avoiding unhealthy habits. Cabin crew should not rely on alcohol,
smoking or caffeine to help them cope, as these will lead to longer term
problems.
7. Adopting positive attitude. People can turn themselves into optimistic
persons by always looking for the good things in life and the things they
already have. This will require a considerable change for a person who is not
used to it.
8. Accept the things that cannot be changed. Some things really cannot
be changed and there is no benefit in using energy or emotion to try to
change them.

10.1.4 Unit Summary

In this unit we have looked at the challenges that the cabin crew profession
poses. Irregular working hours, challenging interactions and stressful situations
can have a significant impact on the cabin crew performance and job
satisfaction. There are a number of circumstances that cannot be changed
because they are an integral part of the profession. What can be changed,
however, is the way cabin crew manage these challenges.
It is important that young cabin crew have a clear understanding of the
demands of the profession. The challenges, however, should not be cause for
despair. We have shared a number of strategies and tips how to manage
these challenges. These strategies have been proven effective for many
thousands of cabin crew around the world. By stepping onboard an aircraft
young cabin crew join an environment that is very team oriented and
supportive.

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Study Check 10.1

1. What is the purpose of the medical assessment of the nose when

cabin crew candidates are considered for hire?
(a) To ensure candidates can easily operate with an oxygen mask
(b) To ensure candidates are sensitive to detect smoke in the cabin
(c) To ensure that air pressure changes does not impact
candidate's health
(d) To ensure candidates can easily detect if food safety has
been compromised

2. True or False: The effects of stress should be suppressed during the

flight as that may impact one's performance.
(a) True
(b) False

3. Assuming an average rate of alcohol metabolism, how long will it take

to digest a large can of beer?
(a) One hour
(b) An hour and a half
(c) Two hours
(d) Three hours

4. Which of the following is a good strategy for becoming an

optimistic person?
(a) Setting stretch goals
(b) Avoid stressful situations
(c) Avoiding too much responsibility
(d) Focusing an the positive things in life

5. Which of the following is NOT a strategy for overcoming fatigue?

(a) Leading an active social life
(b) Taking naps from time to time
(c) Adopting a diet rich in carbohydrates
(d) Adopting a sleep pattern according to the circadian rhythm

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10.2 Cabin Crew Professional Development

• Explain the career progression opportunities for cabin crew

• Identify licensing requirements for cabin crew
Unit Learning
• Describe training opportunities for aspiring cabin crew
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit,
you should be able Unit Overview
to:
Cabin crew is a rewarding and challenging profession. Cabin crew receive a
great deal of appreciation from the passengers. At the same tine cabin crew
are expected to undergo recurrent training to ensure that their knowledge and
skills reflect the standards required by international and national aviation
authorities. Therefore in this unit we will look at some of the options that cabin
crew have either to progress as cabin crew or to assume other positions with
the airline. It is important that beginning cabin crew are aware of their options
for professional development.
Cabin crew training is regulated by international and national aviation auth-
orities. Therefore in this unit we will describe in some detail the requirements
that exist both for beginning cabin crew and for those that have been in this
position for many years. These training requirements should be considered as
an opportunity to develop and grow.

10.2.1 Cabin Crew Career Progression

and Professional Development
The cabin crew role is unique as it encompasses a variety of skills. It is often
said that cabin crew have to be firefighters, nurses, doctors, carers, waiters and
waitresses, security agents, baggage handlers and ticket sales staff. All of
these elements exist in the job role and cabin crew have the opportunity to use
a variety of these skills in their professional activities.
A cabin crew member's motivation for working with an airline varies according
to their age and experience. Many younger cabin crew join the airlines because
they like the idea of a job that isn't based in an office and which has variety
every day, without the routine and boredom that many others experience.
Often, younger people take the role intending to do so for a short period of
one to three years while they continue with education or plan for their long
term work, whereas some older people join the airlines after their children
have grown up and they can use their life experiences in dealing with
passengers. Both ages are just as useful to airlines and have a lot to offer the
passengers.

Key Learning Point

As the job is so varied, it also means that cabin crew develop their skills in a
variety of areas.
As the job is so varied, it also means that cabin crew develop their skills in a
variety of areas. This in turn makes them desirable in the wider job market and
there are often recruitment campaigns from high end companies hoping to
attract ex cabin crew to work for them.
When people start working as cabin crew, it takes at least six months to
become comfortable and efficient in the role. Working on a short haul airline,
after six months cabin crew will have operated on around 180 flights or more
and will have enough experience to cope with most situations encountered. On
long haul services they will have completed around 60 flights. In some
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countries cabin crew are required to log each flight carried out in a log book,
but where this is not the case cabin crew should create their own record of
flights and working positions operated, along with a record of their training
dates so that they can ensure that their training is carried out at the right time.
Cabin crew have to undergo safety training at least every 12 months and as
time literally flies in the role, it's very easy to lose track of when to prepare for
recurrent training.
Most airlines recognize the long-term service of their employees and cabin
crew generally earn advantages over others the longer they remain with the
airline. For example:
• Promotion to senior cabin crew member position or other
management roles
• Trip bidding - where cabin crew can request to operate specific flights or
roster patterns to certain destinations. This is usually based on seniority
with the cabin crew member with the longest service winning the bid
over others.
• Leave and holiday bidding - in the same way cabin crew request
specific trips, they can request specific blocks of leave or days off.
• Flexible working patterns - part time contracts of varying degrees which
allow the longer serving crew members to have more time off for other
commitments. This often allows them to take a secondary job, set up
their own business or take further education.
Many airlines offer distance learning programs for cabin crew to develop their
skills in the key areas appropriate to their job. These will help in the selection
process for promotion within the cabin crew ranks. E-learning is a very
common method of delivering this training and allows cabin crew to study in
the time between flights and to put into practice what they learn.
The nature of the role and unusual hours can also make it easier for cabin crew
members to pursue further education opportunities outside of their employment
at colleges or night schools and some airlines will sponsor cabin crew with
additional qualifications which may be useful in their role, for example, learning
another language or skill such as sign language for communicating with deaf
passengers.
The types of training courses which may be useful for the cabin crew role
include:
• Additional languages–For some airlines it is a requirement that
cabin crew are fluent in a second language other than their own.
• Customer Services–This includes a variety of different subjects with
an aim to improving customer care.
• Negotiation/influencing skills–This will help cabin crew to become
more proficient at dealing with difficult passengers or crew members.
• Giving and receiving feedback–This will help cabin crew develop skills
in guiding other cabin crew in how to perform their role better, particularly
if they intend to become a senior cabin crew member.

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As well as progressing through the cabin crew career, there are many
opportunities within airlines for cabin crew to progress within the airline
environment. Airlines often view their employees as a useful resource who are
interested in working throughout the business. For example, cabin crew often
take a position in the following departments:
• Cabin crew training–Who better to teach and train existing or new
cabin crew than cabin crew themselves? They know the subject, and
the challenges that crew face on a day to day basis while at work and
can impart their knowledge and experience to help others.
• Inflight services–Cabin crew often give valuable insight to service
development to make sure that services can be correctly and
easily delivered onboard the aircraft.
• Safety and security procedures–Although regulators give guidance and
requirements for procedures on board, cabin crew are more readily able
to work out how to put new regulations into practice. Many airlines use
cabin crew to formulate realistic procedures which comply with regulators
requirements.
• Cabin crew management–Airlines need cabin crew managers on the
ground to manage the operating cabin crew's sickness records and
general day to day employment issues. It is often beneficial for airlines to
employ those with experience of the role to understand the unique
challenges that operating cabin crew face and to come up with solutions
which benefit both the crew and the airline.
• Reservations–Cabin crew with experience of operating on aircraft can
be very useful in dealing with passengers making reservations as they
can answer questions and make suggestions which best suit the
passenger.

10.2.2 Cabin Crew Licensing Requirements

The national aviation authorities of some countries require all cabin crew to be
licensed. This means that cabin crew have to undergo mandatory training and
examinations and be granted a license or attestation to operate as cabin crew
for any airline based in that country. The license is issued in the form of a
paper document which the student must present to the employing airline before
they start work and it must be revalidated at regular intervals in order to
continue to be employed as cabin crew.
The license or attestation is usually accompanied with an expiry dates list so
the airline and the cabin crew can keep track of their trainings validity.
Another feature of licensing is that a medical examination is likely to be
required to demonstrate that the student is fit to fly as a cabin crew member.

Key Learning Point

The advantages of licensing for cabin crew mean that the role is valued and
recognised for its importance in airline safety
The advantages of licensing for cabin crew mean that the role is valued and
recognised for its importance in airline safety and for the skills involved in the
job and this is useful for cabin crew unions and trade associations.
Although subject to change without notice, the following countries require cabin
crew to be licensed: Argentina, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Italy, Mauritius, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Thailand and the United
States.

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Most regulators require a medical assessment of cabin crew to ensure that

they are and remain fit to perform their duties. Where licensing is a
requirement, it may be necessary for cabin crew to undergo a full medical
examination with an approved doctor an aeromedical examiner. The medical
examination includes some or all of the following aspects: abnormalities,
disabilities and functional capacity, mental fitness, nervous system, cardio-
vascular system, respiratory system, alimentary system and metabolic dis-
orders, reticulo-endothelial system, genito-urinary system, gynaecological and
obstetrical, skeletal system, ear, nose and throat, hearing, vision, including
color perception. As can be seen from this long list, the approach to medical
examination of licensed cabin crew is quite comprehensive. An example of a
full list of organs and systems that are part of the medical examination can be
accessed in the section Applying your learning at the end of this module.

10.2.3 Cabin Crew Training

Regardless of whether licensing by the national aviation authority is required or
not, cabin crew training generally comprises of the following elements as
required by ICAO:
Initial training–Covers the subjects that are the same for all airlines and
aircraft types:
• Dangerous Goods
• Theory of flight
• Terminology
• Pressurization and altitude physiology
• Emergency procedures, including practical fire fighting
• First Aid - Crew Resource Management
• Survival
In countries where licensing of cabin crew is required, the initial training
detailed above may be carried out by an airline, when it has a training
organization approval in their AOC-Air Operator Certificate or an approved
training provider, who is authorized by the national aviation authority to provide
training to the required standard, otherwise the airline is responsible for
ensuring that training complies with regulations.
A hopeful cabin crew member may be sponsored by an airline to undergo
this training, or they may pay their own costs and fees in the hope of being
able to obtain employment with an airline.
Aircraft type conversion–Covers the aircraft systems and equipment for each
type of aircraft, including:
• Cabin communication systems such as interphone, Public
Address, Passenger call, etc.
• Emergency Oxygen system
• Cabin fixtures and fittings
• Evacuation devices
• Operation of exits
The aircraft type conversion training generally is provided by the airline
operating the aircraft, as the operating procedures are their responsibility and
the location of equipment and cabin layout is specific to each airline.

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Familiarization training–After completion of aircraft type specific training and

operator conversion training on an aircraft type, each cabin crew member shall
complete appropriate supervised familiarization on the type before being
assigned to operate as a member of the minimum number of cabin crew
required Familiarization training includes aircraft familiarization visits and
familiarization flights.
Aircraft familiarization visits should enable the cabin crew member to become
familiar with the aircraft environment and its equipment. Accordingly, aircraft
visits should be conducted by appropriately qualified persons. The aircraft visit
should provide an overview of the aircraft's exterior, interior and aircraft
systems with emphasis on the following:
• interphone and public address systems
• evacuation alarm systems
• emergency lighting
• smoke detection systems
• safety and emergency equipment
• flight crew compartment
• cabin crew stations
• lavatories
• galleys, galley security and water shut-off
• cargo areas if accessible from the passenger compartment during flight
• circuit breaker panels located in the passenger compartment
• crew rest areas
• doors/exits location and environment
An aircraft familiarization visit may be combined with the aircraft type specific
training or operator conversion training require. During familiarisation flights,
the cabin crew member should be assigned in addition to the minimum number
of cabin crew required.
Familiarisation flights should be:
• conducted under the supervision of the senior cabin crew member
• structured and conducted with the cabin crew member participating in
pre- flight,
• in-flight and post-flight safety duties
• operated with the cabin crew member wearing the operator's cabin
crew uniform
• recorded in the training record of the cabin crew member
Recurrent Training–This is a requirement that cabin crew undergo training
every 12 months and again at every 36 months, covering the subjects required
by ICAO and the national authority.
There are many different types of training providers for the role of cabin crew
and even where licensing is not required, attendance of the training courses
will normally provide sufficient knowledge for a candidate to gain an advantage
in seeking employment, as the airline will understand that the candidate
already has a high level of knowledge and is more likely to pass examinations
with ease.

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Where licensing of cabin crew is required, the initial training detailed above
may be carried out by an airline, or an approved training provider, who is
authorized by the national aviation authority to provide training to the required
standard. Either the airline, the authority, or the training provider will carry out
examinations covering all the mandatory subjects and a high pass mark must
be obtained.
Pass marks for examinations are generally set at 75 percent or higher,
according to the authority and the airline. Failure to achieve a passing mark will
prevent the hopeful cabin crew member from obtaining their license and if they
fail to achieve a mark close to the pass mark, they may be unable to apply for
another examination immediately. For example, South African regulators state:
1. The pass mark for any written examination referred to in CAR 64.02.3
is 75%.
2. A candidate who fails with a mark of between 71% and 74%, may apply
in writing for a remark within 30 days from the date of receiving the
examination results, on payment of the appropriate fee. If the re-mark is
successful, the fee will be refunded.
3. A candidate who fails with a mark of above 68%, may apply to be
entered for the following (next) examination sitting.
4. A candidate who fails with a mark of between 60% and 68%, has to wait
for six months before applying to enter again.
5. A candidate who fails with a mark of less than 60%, will have to wait for
12 months before applying to enter again.
Fees and costs may be sponsored by the employing airline, or the student
may have to pay themselves. In addition to the fees for training and
examinations, there is often a fee for a personal medical assessment to
ensure that the student is suitably fit to be employed as cabin crew. Once a
license is issued, a student has permission to operate as a cabin crew
member, but they must continue to undergo recurrent training at least every 12
months and complete a logbook with their flight details each time they operate
as a cabin crew member. The license must be presented to inspectors and
representatives of the authority upon request.

Key Learning Point

Cabin crew licensing is not the same from country to country and is relatively
new in many.
Cabin crew licensing is not the same from country to country and is relatively
new in many. Some authorities require full licensing processes as detailed
above, whereas others operate differently, preferring the airlines to manage the
crew training records and to prove that the crew members remain qualified by
issuing a license, attestation or certificate to them. Whichever document is
issued, it is cabin crew member's responsibility to keep it safe and present it for
inspection when asked by an inspector.
Whichever way training or licensing is carried out, it remains the joint
responsibility of the individual crew member and the airline to ensure that
medical information and training is up to date. Authorities frequently carry out
inspections at airports, on aircraft and in training centers to ensure that records
are maintained and that cabin crew members do not fly if their permission has
expired.

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10.2.4 Unit Summary

In this unit we have provided a detailed description of the career and
professional development opportunities of the cabin crew. The options that we
have outlined provide a wide range of possibilities either as senior cabin crew
member or a position in one of the departments of the same airline, or even
moving into another or related industry.
Regardless of the career path that one chooses, it is crucial to adopt a life-long
learning attitude. In this unit we have outlined the training requirements that
international and national authorities have adopted. The advances in tech-
nology and the requirement for high performance standards for the cabin crew
imply a recurring training pattern.

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Study Check 10.2

1. Which of the following is NOT offered to cabin crew based on seniority?

(a) Request for specific destinations
(b) Request for a specific roster pattern
(c) Request for specific holiday or vacation days
(d) Request to operate on specific model of aircraft

2. True or False: The diversity of skills that cabin crew have puts them at a
career development disadvantage because they do not have
specialized skills.
(a) True
(b) False

3. Which of the following is a fair description of licensing requirements for

cabin crew established by national aviation authorities in some
countries?
(a) It is adopted by all IATA member states
(b) It is viewed with suspicion by cabin crew unions
(c) Leads to greater respect for cabin crew members
(d) The licensing requirements lead to shortage of cabin crew

4. True or False: In countries where licensing is required by the

national aviation authorities cabin crew are also required to undergo
recurring training every 12 months.
(a) True
(b) False

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Module Summary
After a century of aircraft development and incredible advances in technology,
cabin crew are still considered to play a key role for ensuring safety onboard
the aircraft. Aviation has become one of the safest means of passenger
transportation, in part because of the high level of qualification that is provided
for cabin crew. In this module we have looked at the requirements that impact
life style choices as well as training and development. Because at critical
moments human life depends on the level of performance of the cabin crew,
the standards are high. To maintain these standards cabin crew need to
manage appropriately their physical, mental and emotional capacities.
The skills and professionalism acquired by cabin crew are in high demand both
in the airline industry and in other industries. Experienced cabin crew have a
range of options when it comes to career progression. However, the key
element is their ability to develop their skills through training. Initial training is
required before cabin crew can be hired by airlines. Once hired, reoccurring
airline training is an excellent opportunity to develop one's skills.

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Apply Your Learning

1. Although airlines provide a range of resources
intended to help cabin crew cope with stress and
fatigue, it is important that crew members also take
the initiative and inform themselves as much as
possible about this challenges. Here is a resource
that will provide additional information:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_man
agement.htm
2. Medical examinations should be taken very
seriously because they help cabin crew avoid
health related risks. Here are two resources that will
provide some general understanding of the
comprehensiveness of the examination. In addition
it may be helpful to research and identify what are
the requirements in your country.
European Medical requirements for cabin crew can
be found on page 49 of the following:
http://www.easa.europa.eu/agency-measures/docs/a
gency- decisions/2011/2011-015-R/AMC%20and
%20GM%20on%20the%20 medical%20certification
%20of%20pilots%20and%20medical%20 fitness
%20of%20cabin%20crew.pdf

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