Aviation topics - Expressing your opinion



 

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Expressing opinion

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Pick a topic and give your opinion about it.

Use as much detail as possible.

 

 

 

  1. According to a recent study, in-flight fires have been the fourth leading causes of commercial aviation fatalities in recent decades. In the United States alone, at least one flight a day is diverted because of smoke in the cabin or cockpit. Do you think flight crews have enough training to fight in-flight fires? Why or why not?

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  2. A company known for designing very safe airplanes is facing legal charges filed by several airplane owners. Although it has produced numerous airplanes and has contributed to the country’s aviation industry, the company may need to close down because a lot of money is needed to investigate and resolve the various incidents. Do you think the government should financially support this company? Why or why not?

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  3. A labor organization reported that pilots are among the highest-paid professionals in the world. Airlines also admit that labor cost is their highest expenditure. Do you agree with the idea that pilots are paid too high? Why or why not?

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  4. A survey showed that more aircraft accidents occur during landing and takeoff than during the cruise or en route phases. The survey concluded that the most critical phases of an airplane flight are during takeoff and landing. As a pilot, do you agree with the result of the survey?

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  5. After the retirement of the Concorde, the world is left without an operational supersonic airliner. At present, there is no indication from aircraft manufacturers that they have plans to build supersonic airliners. As a pilot, do you think that there is a need for a supersonic passenger plane like the Concorde?

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  6. After the Sept. 11 attacks, a state leader allowed the destruction of commercial aircraft being used as a weapon by terrorists. This would mean sacrificing the lives of all persons aboard the aircraft. Do you agree with this method of combating terrorism? Why or why not?

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  7. After the September 11th terrorist attacks, airport security procedures around the world were reinforced. Some people believe that reinforcing airport security is useless. As a pilot, do you think that these additional measures will be effective in discouraging other terrorists?

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  8. After the terrorist attacks on September 11th, authorities have permitted pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit. While many believe that the move has made commercial air travel safer, some believe it has little or no effect on the safety of commercial air travel. What do you think?

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  9. Aircraft engineers believe that modern aircraft are safer than older ones. They say that the complex warning systems and backup systems make the new aircraft more reliable. Some groups, however, do not agree with them. They claim that a complex system is more likely to fail than simple designs. As a pilot, do you think new airplanes are safer than older ones?

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  10. Airline companies use various procedures when evaluating applicants. Some airlines check whether an applicant has a drinking and driving record. Some people believe that this policy will help enhance the safety of passengers and aircraft. Other people say that it is a violation of the applicant’s right to privacy. What do you think?

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  11. Airliners were so excited when the Airbus announced its latest aircraft design; the A380. Most major airliners have placed orders for the A380. What is amazing about the new aircraft is its capability to carry 800 passengers. As a pilot, do you think airliners will want another aircraft which is bigger than the A380? Why or why not?

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  12. Airlines are badly affected by the ever-increasing cost of fuel so, many of them are resorting to different measures to save on fuel. Some airlines are now using turboprop airplanes on routes that used to be served by turbofan airplanes. Do you think this is a good strategy? Why or why not?

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  13. An aircraft manufacturer is planning to install a system that will automatically maneuver an aircraft away from a potential mid-air threat without input from the flight crew. The system reacts by automatically engaging the autopilot to avoid traffic without waiting for the pilot to take evasive action. In your opinion, will this new gadget improve safety or will it just complicate existing procedures?

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  14. An airline currently requires new flight attendants to learn martial arts. Experts think that flight attendants who know martial arts will improve aviation safety. Do you think this will be effective against terrorism?

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  15. An indication of the growth of the airline industry is the increasing number of low cost airlines which pose a threat to bigger airlines. Some people think that to cut down fares, low cost airlines compromise safety by not adhering to safety standards. In your opinion, is there a valid basis for this allegation?

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  16. At present, passengers cannot use mobile phones while the airplane is in flight. The use of mobile phones, however, is allowed in an emergency. If mobile phones can interfere with the aircraft’s systems, do you think it is safe to allow passengers to use them in an emergency? Why or why not?

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  17. Aviation authorities approved airline safety programs by including Crew Resource Management (CRM) as one of the requirements for pilots to renew their licenses. At present, some airlines require their pilots to take CRM once every two years while other airlines give the training annually. Do you think CRM has improved airline safety?

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  18. Aviation authorities are requiring drug and alcohol testing for personnel such as pilots, flight crew, cabin crew, ground re-fuellers, baggage handlers, security screeners and air traffic controllers. Do you think this regulation is necessary? Why or why not?

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  19. Aviation laws in some countries require airline pilots to undergo a medical examination every 6 months. Some people say that undergoing a medical exam every 6 months is very inconvenient considering the busy schedule of pilots. What do you think?

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  20. Aviation officials in some countries are seeking stricter color vision requirements for pilots. They claim that present color vision requirements may not be appropriate for the tasks of the modern day pilot. In your opinion, should people with color blindness be restricted from becoming pilots?

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  21. Before the year ends, some airlines will be equipped with systems allowing passengers to use their mobile phones during flight. A survey, however, shows that many passengers are opposed to the use of mobile phones in aircraft. In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing passengers to use their phones during flight?

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  22. Being a pilot has a lot of benefits and privileges but Pilots suffer the consequence of being away from their family most of the time. Do you think the benefits and privileges are worth the price of being away from your loved ones?

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  23. Despite safety procedures, and training for aviation personnel, statistics show that more than 80 percent of all aircraft accidents worldwide are due to human factors. In your opinion, why are air accidents caused mainly by human errors?

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  24. Despite the fact that many airlines are in need of pilots, only a few of the many pilots in the world are successful in becoming commercial pilots. In your opinion, why is it not easy to be qualified as an airline pilot?

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  25. Due to strict airport security measures in most countries, many passengers are now discouraged from air travel because the process has become long and bothersome. Do you think it is necessary for security personnel to body-search every passenger despite the use of X-rays and other detecting machines?

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  26. Due to strict security measures being implemented by many airports, passengers are taking longer to board an airplane. Some say the delay will eventually discourage passengers from traveling by air, possibly causing them to look for other transport options. Do you think this will happen? Why or why not?

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  27. Due to the rising cost of fuel, airlines are considering several ways to reduce fuel expenses. One airline is stripping the paint off its entire fleet of aircraft, leaving only the logo of the company. Do you think this is an effective option?

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  28. During a flight, the captain of an aircraft was informed that a passenger wanted to enter the cockpit to observe how commercial flights were conducted. The passenger claims to be a student pilot. The captain, however, denied the request. In your opinion, did the captain make the right decision? Why or why not?

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  29. During a heightened alert caused by a reported terrorist plot against passenger aircraft, a pilot decided to return to the origin airport after a flight attendant discovered a ringing cell phone on an empty seat. None of the passengers admitted to owning the cell phone. Do you think the pilot overreacted? Why or why not?

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  30. During a passenger flight, the captain deliberately allows the aircraft to descend to just 500 feet above the water, to highlight a safety point to a first officer in training. In your opinion, is it permissible to make extra maneuvers in a passenger aircraft for the purpose of training?

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  31. Experts have proven, in many crash tests, that the survivability of passengers is higher if airplane seats are designed and installed facing the rear. Despite this fact, there is no passenger aircraft today with seats facing the rear. If a rear-facing seat configuration improves safety, why do you think it is not used by airlines?

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  32. Fleet expansion by big airlines has resulted in the shortage of qualified airline pilots to fly an increasing number of aircraft. Do you think this pilot shortage problem is just temporary or is it a serious problem needing a long term solution?

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  33. In a recent aircraft accident, investigation showed that the flight crew tried to climb over towering storm clouds. As the aircraft climbed, it stalled and went into an uncontrollable spin, and crashed into the ground. Experts believe that evading the storm by changing course would have been a better choice. Do you think it is safer to avoid a storm by flying around rather than above it?

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  34. In one aircraft accident, investigators concluded that one of the reasons for the crash was that both the captain and first officer co-pilot were not very familiar with the newly-acquired aircraft. Do you think it would be safer if an airline flew a fleet of only one type of aircraft rather than a mixture of different aircraft? Why or why not?

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  35. In some countries, a pilot who needs to renew his license is required to undergo a flight check ride by a check pilot. In your opinion, should check rides be made mandatory in renewing a pilot’s license?

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  36. In some countries, it is required for airline pilots to retire at age 55 while in some other countries, pilots can fly until their 60th birthday. Countries imposing the 55 year old limit, however, are allowing airplanes flown by foreign pilots who are more than 55 years old to fly through their airspace. Do you think this is logical?

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  37. It is believed that the main cause of a recent aircraft accident was severe weather conditions. One aviation official suggested that weather support for aviation be improved. He says inaccurate weather reports are common. Considering the modern equipment used by today’s weather experts, do you think weather reports are still unreliable? Why or why not?

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  38. Many airlines are in desperate need of qualified pilots. The airline industry, especially in Asia, is suffering a pilot shortage. In an effort to fill up job vacancies, some airlines are accelerating pilot training and opening their doors to foreign pilots. Do you think these measures compromise safety? Why or why not?

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  39. Many airlines are planning to allow pilots to fly until they reach the age of 60. Some airlines are even considering letting pilots fly past the age of 60. Is safety really compromised if an aircraft is flown by a 60 year old pilot?

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  40. Many airlines replace their old airplanes with new ones for various reasons. In your opinion, what is the most compelling reason to retire an airplane in favor of a new one?

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  41. Many big airlines are pushing for the implementation of the so-called paperless cockpit in the hope of improving pilot performance. According to them, this will also make the cockpit more organized. In your opinion, is there really a big difference between a standard cockpit and the paperless cockpit?

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  42. Many of the injuries that occur during flight are due to passengers or flight attendants being out of their seats during turbulence. What can be done to reduce the number of these incidents?

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  43. Many people think that cabin crew play a critical role in ensuring the safety of a flight and they should be required to hold licenses. In your opinion as a pilot, is it necessary for cabin crew to be licensed and regulated, to improve air safety?

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  44. Many young aspiring pilots seek advice from professional pilots. Most want to know which aviation school would best prepare them to become successful airline pilots. Aviation schools are regulated and employ licensed instructors. Are there any differences among aviation schools in terms of quality of instruction?

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  45. Many young pilots are seeking employment with airlines. In your opinion, what are the most important qualifications that airlines want to see in a pilot applicant? Why are these important?

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  46. Modern aircraft do not need the services of flight engineers to operate. Two pilots can perform all the necessary tasks to fly these airplanes safely. Some people still believe, however, that transport aircraft would be safer if the two pilots are assisted by a flight engineer. As a pilot, do you think that the services of a flight engineer are no longer necessary?

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  47. Most airlines have different sizes and types of aircraft in their fleet. Using different types of aircraft is expensive because it requires the services of pilots with different ratings and qualifications that would require different training. As a pilot, why do you think it is necessary for the company to maintain different types of aircraft?

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  48. Most of the time, before takeoff, passengers are checking their belongings, chatting with other passengers, or asleep during the presentation of the emergency procedures. Do you think it is necessary to repeat the presentation if most passengers do not pay attention? Why or why not?

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  49. Most people in the aviation industry believe that flying is the safest means of travel. Do you share the same belief? Why?

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  50. Most young pilots excitedly look forward to flying airplanes. However, when they are already working as airline pilots, their love of flying seems to die down. Many airline pilots admit that flying is not actually exciting. Why do you think some pilots think that flying is a boring job?

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  51. People can go to different places using different means. They can travel by land using cars or trains, they can travel by water using ships or they can travel by air using airplanes. In your opinion as a pilot, what are the main reasons why people choose to travel by air?

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  52. Recently, a passenger aircraft descended below the minimum limit while on approach for a landing. The pilot in command explained later that the maneuver was intended to emphasize a lesson to the first officer who was on training. Do you think it is safe for an un-qualified pilot to fly as first officer during a scheduled flight?

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  53. Regulations forced the widespread adoption of TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) and GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) in order to avoid collisions with terrain and with other aircraft. But collision accidents still continue to happen. What do you think still needs to be done to prevent such accidents from happening?

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  54. Several European countries have banned certain airlines from other countries because they think that their aircraft are poorly maintained. The ban is intended to protect the citizens of these countries by prohibiting those aircraft from operating over their airspace. In your opinion, is the ban reasonable and fair?

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  55. Some airlines are implementing cross-crew qualification (CCQ), in which a pilot is permitted to have more than one type-rating, allowing the pilot to fly more than one type of airplane. Do you think this policy compromises safety?

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  56. Some pilots confess that simulator training is only good for training purposes. According to them, when an abnormal situation occurs, it happens very quickly. Thus, in situations where an aircraft is out of control, the pilot will most likely react based on instinct, rather than on procedures learned from training. Do you agree with this opinion? Why or why not?

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  57. Some popular television stations are airing documentaries about the deadliest plane crashes. These documentaries make rich use of re-enactments, plus memories of survivors. Do you think such TV programs will put a bad image in commercial aviation? Why or why not?

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  58. The airline industry is growing at a fast rate. The favorable outlook, however, is hurt by the ever increasing cost of fuel. If fuel costs continue to rise, what do you think airlines should do in order to reduce the effects and remain profitable?

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  59. The airplane has evolved into a comfortable, reliable and dependable means of travel. Some people, however, are still uncomfortable about riding in it and try to avoid doing so. Do you think their fear is unreasonable? Why?

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  60. The aviation industry is growing, with China currently experiencing the greatest demand. Some say that the Beijing Olympics in 2008 will be the peak for the aviation industry in China. After that event, they say that the aviation market will begin to shrink. What do you think?

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  61. The first scenario occurs on a clear weather day in which a problem is caused by a demand/capacity imbalance at an airport. The second scenario is how severe weather disrupts a major traffic flow. The third scenario is how severe weather conditions at a specific airport can have a system-wide effect. Therefore, lost business opportunities and missed appointments are just some of the ill effects suffered by passengers because of flight delays. Some consumer welfare groups are demanding compensation from airlines for flight delays. However, according to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Warsaw Convention, airlines do not have a responsibility to compensate passengers for flight delays. Do you think this ICAO ruling is unfair?

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  62. The modern pilot must have many abilities to perform all the tasks expected of him. Today’s complex air-traffic system and sophisticated aircraft require skill, judgment, education, and experience. Which of these requirements do you think is the most important? Why?

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  63. The number of low-cost airlines is growing. Because of the lower fares, more and more passengers are starting to use them. Some people, however, think that these airlines bring down fares by cutting down on maintenance costs, making them unsafe. Do you think low-cost airlines are safe?

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  64. There are many young people who are aspiring to become airline pilots. Many became disappointed when they learn about the strict requirements of many airlines such as the need to have perfect vision and good physical and mental health. Most airlines also set a minimum height requirement for candidates. Do you think these requirements are necessary? Why or why not?

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  65. There are people who want to become pilots but because of financial reasons, they had to choose a different career. When they become financially stable and retire from their old job, they still want to pursue their dream of flying an airplane. Do you think it is still possible for a 45-year old man to become an airline pilot? Why or why not?

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  66. There has been a series of incidents recently involving aircraft landing at the wrong airport. This year, an airplane landed at the wrong airport in Indonesia, while another plane landed at the wrong airport in Poland, and another one in Spain. Why do you think these incidents happen and what can be done to prevent them?

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  67. There have been a lot of midair collisions involving airliners and small private aircraft used for training. Because of this, airlines want general aviation to be excluded from busy airports. If this change is implemented, do you think it will improve air safety? Will it be fair to the general aviation community?

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  68. There have been many suggestions on how pilots should handle unlawful interference. In a hijacking, do you think it is wise for the pilot to appeal to the passengers to resist and fight the hijackers? Why or why not?

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  69. There have been several incidents of aircraft using taxiways for take off. Last year, a Boeing MD-11 freighter took off from a taxiway in Anchorage. Four years ago, an Air France A320 tried to take off from a taxiway in Lisbon. In your opinion, why do these incidents happen? How can they be prevented?

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  70. There is no law banning the operation of very old passenger aircraft. Regulators believe that even the oldest aircraft is safe as long as it is operated within its limitations and maintained according to the manual. As a pilot, do you really believe that a 30-year old passenger jet is as safe as a brand new passenger jet? Why or why not?

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  71. To combat terrorism, some airlines have secret air marshals aboard flights. One airline even employs flight attendants who are well trained in martial arts such as kung fu. Do you think air safety would improve if pilots are also trained in martial arts?

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  72. Training in Crew Resource Management is now required for all transport pilots. Some people want to require flight attendants to also undertake CRM training. As a pilot, do you think CRM training for flight attendants is necessary?

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  73. When recruiting new pilots, airlines want to make sure that they get someone who will fly their airplanes safely. In your opinion, what distinguishes a safe pilot from a risky pilot?

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  74. While the aviation industry helps social and economic development around the world, many people believe that it is a source of pollution. In your opinion, do you think that aircraft are one of the major sources of pollution?

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A Global Mindset for Commercial Aviation’s Next Century

IATA called for airlines, governments, and industry stakeholders to guide the development of the commercial airline industry into its next century with a global mindset and based on a foundation of global standards.

“The key to unlocking aviation’s future potential is a global mindset supported by strong partnerships. Aviation connects people and business to make “global” possible. Securing aviation’s future begins with some immediate challenges. Airlines must be profitable, safe and secure businesses. We need to provide efficient, customer-focused services. And sustainability must be integral to everything that we do,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Read the complete article on Speednews

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Pilot training

Boeing calculates the need for new pilots in the timeframe 2012-2031 to be 100.900 for Europe and 460.000 globally. This begs the question: where are we going to find those pilots and how are we going to train them?

Against this background it is no wonder that in recent years there has been a debate, increasing in intensity, about pilot training. This debate has expanded to include a discussion about the appropriate level of experience required for a new hire airline pilot. Much of the input to the debate has focussed on ways of reducing the cost burden of training while at the same time increasing the speed of reaction to business growth opportunities. In other words: 

how can we train more people faster? 

Against a business background featuring growing competition, and an increasingly demanding economic environment, this is understandable. The problem is this is a one-dimensional approach and as such risks 

being an incomplete one. How do we deal with automation for example? The increasing amount of automation found today on the flight decks may lead some to believe that pilots can do with less training. “Pilot training 

compass: Back to the future” will show this to be a false claim

 “After all, history has shown time after time that excellent and in-depth professional pilot skills are a pre-requisite for safe operations. These skills will stand up even under the most demanding of circumstances.”

 

For more read the complete  “Pilot training compass: Back to the future”

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The future by Airbus

The world will be very different in many ways by 2050, but one thing will not change. We will still need great people to make it even better!
Future aircraft could be built using a bionic structure that mimics the bone structure of birds. 

The cabin electrical system can be compared to the human brain, with a network of intelligence pulsating through the cabin. This network will be absorbed into the structural materials, making the hundreds of kilometres of cables and wires found in today's aircraft a thing of the past.

The future passenger cabin will be fully ecological. 

 

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For more visit Airbus site

and to what extent do you agree with this vision?
 

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Investigation and Politics

Read the complete article and listen to the BBC broadcasting

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Airports of the future

Watch a BBC program about future airports.

 

 

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Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (according to ICAO)

icao on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

 

 

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ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator

Watch live streaming video from icao at livestream.com

 

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History Quiz for fun