Present Perfect Tense

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Revise present perfect / present perfect continuous tense
• Have fun!

Airline Alliances and a Changed Passenger Experience

TOPIC: AIRLINE ALLIANCES AND A CHANGED PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

Read the introductory text below. Follow links to additional material.

Passenger experience as a concept has been a matter of great transformation over the last years. Both airlines and airports have invested time and expertise into revamping interiors and procedures, introducing new technologies, going green, offering bonuses and frequent flier miles club memberships, forming alliances and expanding them, as well as reinventing the entire idea of aviation security in a way that is unnerving for many a traveler or human rights activist   Read here:

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Ash Clouds

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/14ashclouds.mp3|titles=Ash Clouds]TOPIC: Ash Clouds

GOAL: To learn about ash cloud’s effect on traffic and how to deal with an encounter.

Level: Medium

Exercise #1: Read about the dangers of flying through ash clouds and how to handle such a situation.

In April 2010, Europe's skies remained largely closed for several days after a mass of volcanic ash which originated from Iceland blanketed the continent causing crippling flight delays. Due to the disruptions to air traffic, a major portion of 22,000 scheduled flights destined to take off from locations throughout Europe were cancelled. In fact, only 6,000 departed during the near weeklong event. The International Air Transport Association estimated the air traffic interruptions caused approximately $200 million in damage a day. Contrary to popular belief, flying through ash will not completely destroy an aircraft in seconds, but the abrasive particles will certainly cause great exterior and electrical damage to airplanes flying through the clouds over a very short period time.

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Air Rage – Causes and Prevention

Air Rage – Causes and Prevention

Air rage is defined as ‘disruptive or unruly behavior exhibited by passengers and crew of an aircraft during a flight’. The reasons for this kind of behavior have often been assigned to excessive alcohol consumption, crowded or long flights that agitate passengers, problems with crew members or other psychological problems. Air rage can create an environment of tension in the air putting both the crew members and the passengers at risk.

According to aviation expert, Diana Fairechild recycled air on planes aids in spreading infections like flu and tuberculosis and minimal oxygen in the cabin can also lead to a higher level of temper tantrums and boisterous behavior among kids. There have been many reports of air rage resulting in unscheduled landings, jail time and penalties for passengers, career changes for flight attendants and even death of a passenger.

Crew Resource Management (CRM)

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/15crm.mp3|titles=CRM]TOPIC: Crew Resource Management (CRM)

GOAL: To learn about the importance of CRM and how it’s vital to safety

Level: Easy

Exercise #1: Read about CRM and then proceed to Exercise #2

Crew Resource Management (CRM) training originated from a NASA workshop in 1979 that focused on improving air safety. The NASA research presented at this meeting found that the primary cause of the majority of aviation accidents was human error, and that the main problems were failures of interpersonal communication, leadership, and decision making in the cockpit. Originally, this concept was called Cockpit Resource Management because issues and communication among pilots was the core focus. However, over time, the name was changed to Crew Resource Management after the aviation industry realized that safety lies with everyone that is involved with flight.

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Aviation Business: Competition

TOPIC: COMPETITION

Read the introductory text about competition in the airline industry.

The aviation industry is a highly competitive market and is a true rollercoaster ride for some airlines. While industry majors are used to competing on a large scale, there are successful low-budget carriers, like JetBlue or Southwest, that trigger a competitive mode even with the big guys.

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In-flight medical problems and emergencies

In-flight medical problems and emergencies

Aim

• Practice English skills in an aviation context
• Become familiar with relevant medical terminology
• Have fun!

“Is there a doctor onboard?!” It’s a familiar scene from movies – Hollywood loves a medical emergency. So does the media. A woman giving birth on a plane, for example, is a great news story – and it happens.

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Green Airlines (Environmentally friendly Airlines)

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/17greenairlines.mp3|titles=Green Airlines (Environmentally Friendly Airlines)]TOPIC: “GREEN” ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AIRLINES

Type of lesson: Reading Comprehension

Level: Easy

I. Read the small paragraph about aviation industry giants operating in environmentally responsible ways and pick out words in bold that have the same meaning as the following:

1. a. forward-thinking
2. b. recycling policies
3. c. sustainable aircraft
4. d. environmentally conscious
5. e. emissions trading
6. f. a global economic downturn
7. g. zero-emission
8. h. recycling program

It seems as though the recent bad economics of the airline business and the 1.global economic recession have contributed to more 2.environmentally responsible behavior and have caused some industry associations, airports and major airlines to be more 3.progressive and concerned about going green both, in the air and on the ground.

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Meteorology

TOPIC: Meteorology

GOAL: To learn about aviation meteorology and its role in aviation safety

Exercise #1: Read about aviation meteorology and then proceed to Exercise #2

Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and short term forecasting (in contrast with climatology). Aviation meteorology (MET) deals with the impact of weather on Air Traffic Management (ATM). It is important for air crews to understand the implications of weather on their flight plan as well as their aircraft.

Weather conditions concern all aspects of ATM operations, for example, by variations in head and tail-wind components, through changes in pressure and temperature values at airports, and in imposing low visibility operating conditions. Adverse meteorological conditions have the greatest impact on the ATM system creating disruption and the consequent problems of disturbed flow rates, lost capacity and induced additional costs

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Fire

[audio:https://aviationenglishblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/01fire.mp3|titles=Fire]TOPIC: Fires

GOAL: To learn Aviation English vocabulary related to the dangers of aircraft fires and their causes.

Exercise #1: Read about aircraft fires, and then proceed to Exercise #2

Perhaps few things are as scary as an aircraft fire. They are serious business because, unlike an automobile, pilots don't have the luxury of stopping their aircraft in flight to solve the problem. Reacting quickly and correctly is essential to effectively deal with the emergency. When a fire erupts, you may have little time to consult the emergency checklist, and if you're confused or uncertain about the procedures, your reactions may be slow and inappropriate.

There have been several well-known cases of aircraft fires, including a UPS DC-8 that burned-up after it landed at the Philadelphia International Airport in 2006. Another classic scenario occurred during the tragic accident of ValueJet Flight 592 which crashed into the Florida Everglades after an in-flight fire developed shortly after departure.

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