Essential Communication and Equipment FSO410 ~ Assignment #2

INTRODUCTION

In order for Cabin Crew to react quickly, safely, and appropriately to any emergency situation, they must have thorough knowledge of where all onboard emergency equipment is stowed, and how to remove and use it. Further, Flight Attendants must be aware of, respond to, and use, all forms of communication in order to act upon situations which put lives at risk.

Around the globe, Flight Attendant Manuals contain information and procedures that are specific to the aircraft in their airline’s fleet, and it is the responsibility of each and every Crewmember to know and understand what those procedures are. They must be understood, memorized, and practiced regularly so that response can be without hesitation in the face of an emergency. Upon successful completion of this first assignment, you will be able to identify the essential components of the equipment Crewmembers rely upon in the event of an emergency landing and evacuation. You will also be able to identify the aural, visual, and verbal notifications of an emergency and who is responsible for each.

In your own words, answer the following questions using the Air Seneca FAM as a reference. Do not cut and paste text from the FAM as your response. As a seasoned Crewmember, I know the answers, and I know where they are in our Manual. I wrote the Manual! The purpose of this assignment is for you to read your FAM, and together with material you’ve learned from courses in the last three semesters, identify and evaluate the particular need for specific equipment onboard and to communicate that to me, in YOUR own words.

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

There are two parts to this assignment: Equipment Questions and Communication Questions.

Please be sure to answer all in FULL sentence format. Please do not use point form answers.

COMMUNICATION (Total of 16 marks)

1) Who will communicate to the Flight Attendants that there will be an emergency landing of the aircraft? (1 mark)

2) What statement does the Captain make to notify the Cabin Crew of an emergency? (1 mark)

3) What does the Captain use to make that statement? Why is it important they do it this way? (2 marks)

4) What are some ways that Flight Attendants might unintentionally communicate to passengers that they’re experiencing some level of anxiety or panic? Please list two. (2 marks)

COMMUNICATION (Total of 16 marks)

5) Other than being told that the aircraft is experiencing an emergency landing, how would you as a Flight Attendant suspect there was a serious problem on landing? Please be specific by listing two signs or situations that would suggest an evacuation of the aircraft was necessary. (2 marks)

6) If the Captain does not make the announcement to evacuate following an emergency landing, but the aircraft has stopped with significant damage and there also appears to be fire, what should you do? Are you permitted to initiate an emergency evacuation? If yes, what do you say? If not permitted to initiate an emergency evacuation, why not? (3 marks)

7) Before, during and after impact of an aircraft, how do Flight Attendants communicate instructions to passengers? (1 mark)

8) What does the abbreviation ‘ELT’ stand for, and what does it do once an aircraft experiences significant impact on landing? (2 marks)

9) How long does the ELT last and to whom is it communicating? (2 marks)

EQUIPMENT (Total of 34 marks)

1. Why do Flight Attendant jumpseats automatically re-stow? Why is it important that the seat bottom doesn’t stay down when the Crewmember stands up in preparation for an emergency evacuation? (1 mark)

2. Name two components (parts) of the Flight Attendant jumpseat and describe how they protect a Crewmember in an emergency landing. (2 marks)

3. An aircraft can sustain multiple impacts during an emergency landing. What is keeping the Flight Attendants who sit in the galley locations safe from harm of the service equipment? Specifically, what keeps the canisters and trolleys from being thrown forward, into the crewmembers’ bodies, and/or into the aisles where they could then hurt passengers and impede an evacuation? Describe two. (2 marks)

4. What does ELS stand for? Who is normally responsible for the PFIs and activation of it in an emergency? Describe one consequence to the Cabin Crew if the ELS is not activated? How would it impact their ability to conduct an evacuation? (3 marks)

5. Thoroughly describe what happens once the ELS has been activated. Which lights illuminate? Where are these lights located (list a minimum of 3 areas). How do these locations benefit/help passengers and/or crew during an evacuation? (4 marks)

EQUIPMENT (Total of 34 marks)

6. How does the ELS work if the aircraft experiences electrical power failure? How long does the system last once it is activated? Is this enough time to help with the evacuation? Why or why not? (3 marks)

7. What is the purpose of having a viewing window on a door? How does it assist a Flight Attendant when there has been an emergency landing of the aircraft? (2 marks)

8. What is the purpose of assist handles? Describe the need for those that are attached to the door; what do they help a Crewmember to do? Then describe the reason for having others mounted on the aircraft fuselage. What purpose does the handle serve at that location? (2 marks)

9. What does power assist mean when used to describe an aircraft door? Why is it necessary for a Flight Attendant to know if their door has it or not? (2 marks)

10. Why do you think aircraft slides are manufactured with a manual inflation handle if they’re supposed to automatically inflate? Where is this handle located and why is it important that you know that? (3 marks)

EQUIPMENT (Total of 34 marks)

11. Describe the difference between a B737 slide and B787 slideraft. Why is it essential that you remind yourself of which type is on your aircraft as part of your Silent Review for both takeoff and landing? (3 marks)

12. How could a flashlight assist you in an emergency evacuation? What would you need it for? (1 mark)

13. Can you turn our Air Seneca flashlights off to conserve the battery in a survival situation? If yes, describe how. If no, describe why it’s not necessary. (2 marks)

14. How could a megaphone assist you in a survival situation? (1 mark)

15. How do passengers and other crewmembers identify a Flight Attendant when they have a lifejacket on? (1 mark)

16. How could a crash axe help you in an emergency evacuation or survival situation? Note: this is not a firefighting question. (1 mark)

17. What is the difference between a passenger seatbelt and a Flight Attendant one? (1 mark)

THE FINE PRINT

This assignment has been set up in numbered format, simply to organize the questions. The expectation is that you submit responses in full sentence format, explaining in detail, your reasoning and answer. To repeat from the Introduction: this is not a cut and paste assignment where you just post what has been noted in the FAM. The purpose of this assignment is to have you:

1) Read the FAM thoroughly;

2) Analyse the functions of the equipment or the procedures behind the communication; and
3) Evaluate how those features or procedures help to ensure a successful handling of an evacuation

This assignment is worth 25% of your final mark and so there is an expectation that your responses will be thorough, complete, and reflect your learned insight.

INTENTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The intention of this assignment is to have you merge the knowledge you have of aircraft equipment with the various ways of urgently communicating, in order to handle an emergency landing and/or evacuation.

This assignment meets Learning Outcomes:

#4: Identify various pieces of fixed and potable emergency equipment that assist in the safe and timely evacuation of passengers, and in their survival following one.

#7: Demonstrate a commitment to reading the Flight Attendant Manual and understanding the policies, procedures and standards for reacting to, and preparing for an emergency landing and evacuation of an aircraft.