Page 25 - All About History - Issue 12-14

Education

“As they are not yet

qualified to handle

big planes, a flight
simulator is used”

LECTURES

The main areas that the cadets are being tested on
are principles of flight (physics), airframe systems
(functional equipment), meteorology, instruments
and human performance (physiology and common
sense). There are lectures in all of these areas and
even after a cadet passes them they will still be
tested throughout their career to ensure that they
are still up to scratch.
SAFETY FIRST

Aviation has come a long way since the Wright
brothers’ first powered flight in 1903, or Howard
Hughes’ efforts in establishing the golden age
of commercial air travel in the 1950s. Safety has
evolved the most. Although accidents do happen,
flight is statistically one of the safest ways to travel
and a cadet must know what to do in a whole host
of different eventualities.
MEDICAL CHECK-UP

All aspiring pilots must undergo regular medical
check-ups – one would have occurred before they
were even admitted onto the programme. However,
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and
the Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) require
another test before a pilot can be considered. The
test includes blood and urine tests, sight and sound
checks and heart and lungs checks – it can take
hours in some instances.

TAKING FLIGHT

As part of their training, a cadet will take charge of
a smaller plane for a minimum number of hours
in the sky, accompanied by a supervisor. This is
to see how well they handle the aircraft as well as
to perform specific tasks, such as gliding (when
the aircraft has no power) and to execute different
types of landings on a host of different runways.

SHARED ACCOMMODATION

Because the training is so intense, the cadets often
have their accommodation provided for them on
site, which also helps them to build relationships
with each other; essential on such a demanding
course as this. For some cadets it will be straight to
bed, others choose to stay up revising and talking
in the common room about the challenges and
tests that await.
© Alamy
25