The primary job of flight attendants is to keep passengers safe and to ensure that everyone follows security regulations. They also try to make flights comfortable and enjoyable for passengers. They must ensure that emergency equipment is working, the cabin is clean, and there is an adequate supply of food and beverages on board. They greet passengers as they board the aircraft and direct them to their seats, assisting as needed.
Before the plane takes off, flight attendants instruct all passengers on the use of safety equipment, either by playing a video recording or demonstrating its use in person. They also ensure that seatbelts are fastened, seats are locked in the upright position, and all carry-on items are properly stowed in accordance with federal law and company policy. A flight attendant’s most important responsibility, however, is to help passengers in the event of an emergency.
This responsibility ranges from dealing with unruly passengers to performing first aid, fighting fires, and directing evacuations. Flight attendants also answer questions about the flight, attend to passengers with special needs, help anyone else needing assistance and generally assist all passengers as needed A Flight Attendant’s job revolves around the clock and the life has to move with it.
I am too a flight attendant. And here is my story!
Children always seem to have special dreams to strive for. Their interest and role models are ever changing as they are exposed to new experiences. It was the same for me. As I grew up, my childhood dream kept changing. Once, I was so fascinated by the way a nurse performed her role and ever so quickly I wanted to be a business person, just like my Dad. For me the dream job, I strived for changed with the seasons. Life can take a different turn at any moment and you never know where you end up. I was a student of Business Studies, but I ended up working in the hospitality sector.
I never, in my wildest dream imagined that this would happen. I saw this ad in Kantipur newspaper announcing vacancy for cabin crew in Yeti airlines. I had actually tagged along with my friend just to give her some company.
While at Yeti’s office I thought maybe I could give it a shot as well. To my surprise, I got in as one of the 20 new hires out of 500 applicants competing for the position. A whole new adventure in the aviation industry awaited and I was taking my first few steps towards it. That was ten years ago.
I had a lot of wonderful experience over the years. Each new travel gave me higher levels of excitements. Working with Yeti Airlines helped me realize my capabilities and skills. I was also awarded the Best Cabin Crew in 2006.With the expansion of Yeti Airlines together with Air Arabia as “Fly Yeti” focusing towards international destinations. I got the opportunity to be the part of an international team as a senior cabin crew. But there can’t all be rainbows and butterflies every time. Due to some reason, “Fly Yeti’ was suspended and eventually shut down.
Later I was selected as a Cabin Crew in Air Arabia. While in Air Arabia, my normal destinations are Middle East, Africa, Asia, Russia and other East European Destinations.
Even here I was awarded a letter of appreciation for zero sick leave record for the year 2008. Having this privilege of travelling to different destinations means there is hardly any wish in my bucket list which remains unfulfilled.
It was always my dream to travel to different places and I am glad that this job allows me to realize it. This job also has its own benefits like extra allowances, free standby tickets to family and friends, getting discounts on most of the outlets and amusement parks in UAE. We can take the full opportunity of these perks and utilize them wisely. Working in the hospitality sector within the aviation industry has helped me become more productive, dynamic and an ambitious individual. Our training and experience has enabled us to achieve exceptional customer service and hospitality skills to ensure maximum passenger satisfaction, which will ultimately increase the brand and reputation of the airline company. Flight attendants should present a professional appearance and not have visible tattoos, body piercings, or an unusual hairstyle or makeup.
As per my experience, I believe any aspiring cabin crew must have qualities like attentiveness. Flight attendants must be aware of passenger needs to ensure a pleasant travel experience.
They must also be aware of any security or safety risks. Communication skills; flight attendants should speak clearly, listen attentively, and interact comfortably with passengers and other crew members.
Customer service skills; Flight attendants should have poise, tact, and resourcefulness to handle stressful situations and meet passengers’ needs. Decision-making skills; Flight attendants must be able to act decisively in emergency situations. Physical stamina; Flight attendants may need to lift baggage and stand and walk for long periods. They often need to conform to height and weight requirements and have vision that is correctable to at least 20/40. Flight attendants may have to pass a medical evaluation.
Getting an opportunity to work in this field has given me many advantages and helped me achieve my goals in life. I truly love my job.
My message to the young bloods would be: “Success is only for those who step through the door of opportunity. Once you grab the opportunity you need to work hard and be persistent to achieve success. So, hold on to your dream, fight for it and make it reality.”
Let your dream take the flight.
OPINION
MA60 (Modern Ark 60): In Context of NAC
The MA60 (Modern Ark 60) is a turboprop-powered aircraft manufactured by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation under the China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC). The MA60 aircraft is a stretched version of the Xian Y7-200A, which was produced based on the An-24 to operate in rugged conditions with limited ground support and has short take–off and landing (STOL) capability. China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation has developed an updated version called MA600 while made its maiden flight in September 2008.
This MA600 aircraft is equipped with modern avionic equipments, attractive passenger cabin and efficient engines with increased power. MA700 is another modern version of this aircraft which is under designing phase. This MA60 airplane has received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in June 2000 and was introduced in commercial flights.
Hundreds of this aircraft have been sold to outside and inside of china for commercial flights. Nowadays, this aircraft is operated by airlines of Cameroon, Cambodia, Laos, Congo, Indonesia, Tonga, Philippines, etc and almost half a dozen domestic airlines of China like Joy Airlines and Okay airlines. The following paragraphs describe the technical aspects of the MA60 aircraft in brief.
- Engine/Propeller/APU
MA60 aircraft employs two PW127J turbo-propeller engines which are in PW100 series made in Canada. This engine mainly adopts: Digitized Engine Electronic Control (EEC), Auto Take-off Power Control System (ATPCS), Auto Feathering Unit (AFU), Mechanical fuel control unit (MFU), Propeller control unit (PCU) etc.
The engine performance is excellent in acceleration and single engine climbing as well as it is easy to start on the ground and in the air. This engine has low fuel consumption and good safety and reliability record. Maximum power output of this engine is 2750 SHP. This aircraft adopts two sets of 247-3 propeller manufactured in USA from composite material which is light and strong.
It adopts an advanced aerodynamic profile with high efficiency up to 90% in cruise and 73% in takeoff. The propeller has four blades feathering rotating right, pull in type, pitch controllable, low in noise, long in life and simple in service.
The auxiliary power unit (APU) installed on MA60 aircraft is an automatic constant-speed gas turbine GTCP36-150 (CY) which is manufactured by Garrett Company in USA. It is installed in aft section of right engine compartment.
- Navigation System
The MA60 aircraft is equipped with modern Navigation system which makes it capable of safe flight in different environment and geographical terrain.
The Flight Management System (UNS- 1K), powerful Colour Weather Radar System (WXR-840),Traffic Collision Avoidance System (MST67A TCAS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) are installed in MA60 aircraft which makes navigation easy, safe and reliable. This aircraft is equipped with Automatic Direction Finder (ADF-60A), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME-42), Air Traffic Control System (ATCS), Air Data System (ADS-85) and Attitude Heading System(AHS-3000), Radio Altimeter System (ALT-1000), Very High Frequency Omni-directional Range/Instrument Landing System (VIR-32) etc.
- Communication System
All the communication instruments installed in this aircraft are based on modern technology and are highly capable for data transmission and receiving. Almost all communication equipments are manufactured by American renowned companies. High Frequency Communication System (HF-9000), Very High Frequency Communication Radio (KTR908), 3100 Audio System, Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) System capable of recording 120 minutes of aircraft flight etc are installed in this aircraft.
- Airframe/Landing Gear
This turbo-prop aircraft is designed with swept back high wing with Aileron, Elevator and Rudder as primary controls and Aileron Trim Tab control mechanism, Aileron Follow-up compensation Tab mechanism, Rudder Compensation Trim Tab Control Mechanism, Elevator Trim Tab Control Mechanism, Flap Control System, Gust Lock Control System, Nose Wheel Steering Control System as a secondary controls. MA60 aircraft landing gear is a retractable one which consists of one nose landing gear and two main landing gears.
It has provision for normal retraction/extension of landing gear, emergency retraction/extension of landing gear and unlocking mechanism of main gear emergency extension. The status of the landing gear is displayed in central display of cockpit for pilot reference.
- Other Systems
This aircraft has excellent fire protection system, oxygen supply system, Hydraulic system, Stall warning system (EKS-4A) etc. Emergency exits and emergency equipments like Medical Kit, First Aid kit, Axe, evacuation Rope, Emergency Localizer, Hand-held emergency locator transmitter etc are located in convenient location of the aircraft. Automatic Pilot System (APS-85) fitted in this aircraft is a digital automatic pilot system which can control this aircraft with good performance.
Flight Data Recorder of MA60 aircraft could continuously collect and record latest 25hours flight data during flight and Quick Access recorder can continuously record the 50 hours flight data. This aircraft has 56 seats configuration for passengers and provision of two crew and one observer seat.
It can fly up to 22,000 ft with cruising speed of 220 knots. This aircraft is fitted with two turbo-propeller engines. There are several incidents and accidents which have been recorded since MA60 aircraft was introduced in commercial flight in the year 2000. Among those, only one fatal accident occurred in 7th May 2011 of Merpati Nusantara Airlines. Whatever the market rumour, in essence, this aircraft is technically sound and suitable for the domestic sector flight of Nepali Sky.
Chinese government has donated one MA60 aircraft (MSN 1007) to Nepal Airlines on behalf of Nepal Government which landed at Kathmandu Airport on 27th April 2014. The granted MA60 aircraft 9N-AKQ (MSN 1007) on grant from China has successfully completed one year operation in Nepal under the management of Nepal Airlines Corporation. During it’s operation, NAC has faced several problems and solved in co-ordination with Chinese Maintenance Support Team.
During the period of last one year this 9N-AKW aircraft have been grounded several times due to lack of spare parts. NAC was unable to get prompt AOG technical support and spare parts support during AOG period from its Manufacturer. The premium of the insurance and captain’s training cost is very high in comparison to other aircraft types. Despite some above mentioned issues, MA60 aircraft has flown around 800 hours in Nepali sky with national flag to service Nepali people.
One MA60 aircraft and three Y-12E aircraft are going to be imported by Nepal Airlines Corporation under soft loan where in near future from China. NAC engineers have obtained their Maintenance
License to carry out maintenance in MA60 aircraft and pilots have also obtained their pilot license from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Now NAC has established all systems and prepared necessary human resources to operate MA60 aircraft. In this context, it can be believed that NAC will increase utilization of this aircraft in coming year and can contribute to improve financial health of the corporation.
