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Captain Gary Roundlett (left) of Airbus and Caple Myres, a member of Air Jamaica's senior technical team, in the virtual cockpit of one of the Airbus' simulators.
Lovelette Brooks, Special Projects Editor
ALMOST FULLY rebounded from the post 9/11 air travel woes and a general downturn in the industry, Air Jamaica is reporting new levels of efficiency. The airline serves some 25 destinations throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, handling more than 300 weekly departures.
"We have streamlined, tapped into our most profitable gateways and we basically know where we are going," Air Jamaica's public relations executive Marjorie Robinson told journalists on a tour of Airbus training centre in Miami recently.
Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer has since 1997 outfitted Air Jamaica with a modern fleet of 16 A300 airbuses. In addition, Airbus' technical team has helped the airline maintain its impeccable safety record, an enviable accomplishment achieved through rigorous training.
"Since we started here (Miami) in 1985, Air Jamaica is one of our most loyal customers, accounting for 25 per cent of our business," said Laetitia Combes, regional press officer.
TRAINING
All 153 licensed Air Jamaica pilots and senior maintenance personnel train and upgrade at Airbus, Miami, one of four main Airbus training facilities world-wide. The 120,000 square foot, $50 million custom-built complex with state-of-the-art training facilities offers training in airline maintenance, safety procedures and flight management systems, among other areas.
"Our comprehensive training programme is centred around the safe and smooth operation of our aircrafts. As such, we offer a broad range of customised, interactive courses with constantly updated programmes and state-of-the-art equipment to train flight and cabin crew as well as maintenance personnel. These include the highly- efficient new Airbus Pilot Transition (APT) course which incorporates the latest maintenance flight/training devices," said Vince Loschiavo, flight ground school instructor.
Although mandated by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCCA) to upgrade their skills twice annually, Air Jamaica pilots and engineers are constantly doing so. "We train as the need arises. Sixteen of our senior maintenance persons have just left for training at Airbus. Sometimes the trainers come here to our facility at the Norman Manley Airport. That's the synergy we have with Airbus," Mrs. Robinson explained.
ENGINE SIMULATOR RUN
One of the most technologically challenging, yet exciting aspects of flight management training is the engine simulator run. "All pilots must complete at least seven four-hour training sessions over a five-six week period to complete this," said Chief Pilot Captain Gary Rundlett leading a tour of one of the company's eight fixed ground simulators.
Inside the virtual cockpit, mastery of take-off and landing configuration are key. Once inside, the pilot decides which destination he wants to fly, the simulator then configures the flight plan and airport conditions, even the right amount of cloud cover to be expected at that destination. Motion sensors do the rest.
A unique feature of Airbus training from which Air Jamaica has benefited is flight operational commonality, made possible by the modern fly-by-wire design. "Once a pilot is trained to fly one member of the Airbus family he can fly them all including our newest A350 and double-decker A380 which is to come," the flight ground school instructor outlined.
For Air Jamaica, this type of training results in cost saving and greater operational efficiency.
Ultra-modern chic
PASSENGER COMFORT is a major design consideration for all airline manufacturing companies in the world. While the A 320s such as those acquired by Air Jamaica are ideal as regional carriers, longer hauls require more space, comfort and amenity features.
Airbus is constantly improving its product. The multibillion-dollar company is pushing out of the hanger two new ultra-modern aircrafts.
The A380 and the A350.
The A380, an all-new double decker which was flown for the first time in 2005 is due to enter commercial service this year. Launched in December 2000, the aircraft which Airbus sees as the "flagship of the 21st century" was designed in close collaboration with major airlines, airports and airworthiness authorities in the world.
"Combining the latest technologies, the A380 will meet the strictures of international certification requirements," according to Laetitia Combes, Airbus' regional press officer.
NEW GENERATION AIRCRAFT
The four-engine new generation aircraft has the capacity to seat 555 passengers and is lighter, although having more cabin space and stowage facilities. Effective cabin lighting and air conditioning are so designed and localised to maximise customer comfort.
"These can be controlled to create subtle mood changes in the aircraft. The air conditioning system, for example, can create an airy, yet draft-free environment," Combes added.
With passenger traffic expected to increase soon by five per cent per year over the next 20 years, who knows, the A380 may be flying soon in our air space.
