[Jobs, Training ★★★]
(P1) JetBlue Airways is considering a new training program to get pilots ready for the copilot and captain’s seats. The program would take pilot candidates with no previous experience and train them to become competent airline pilots. Rather than training in smaller, cost-effecting airplanes, most of the flight training would focus on airline-related tasks, such as emergency decision-making, coordinating crews, and simulator training.
(P2) Under the current rules, the pilots would still need to reach the required 1,500 hours before they could fly airplanes carrying passengers.
(P3) The program has been named Gateway 7 and is slated to start next year. Only a small number of pilot candidates, who would go through a rigorous screening process, would be accepted into the test program. After going through a JetBlue ground school, the candidates would go to a partner company for flight training. Pilot candidates would pay for their own training and, if successful, would be qualified to join the airline in 2020. The FAA is currently evaluating the program.
(P4) The trial program would train pilots slated to fly the 100-passenger Embraer E190. Once the trail program is complete, JetBlue will evaluate whether the training program could be a viable option for its Airbus fleet.
WORDS: 201
SOURCE: http://www.flyingmag.com/training/learn-fly/jetblue-test-ab-initio-training-program
VOCABULARY: competent, slated, rigorous, ground school, viable
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- In your opinion, what are some of the advantages of this new training program?
- In your opinion, what are some of the disadvantages of this new training program?
- Do you think the required 1500 flying hours is adequate to start flying planes with passengers? Why or why not?
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
- The new training program that JetBlue wants to use is for candidates with some prior experience. (T or F)
- A majority of the new pilot training will be centered around __________________.
- The future pilots in this program will not have to pay for the training out of their own pockets. (T or F)
- JetBlue is still waiting on the approval from the FAA to implement the program. (T or F)
- Which aircraft will the newly trained pilots operate?
EXPRESSIONS or PHRASES:
What do the following expressions or phrases mean?
- ad initio (title)
- cost-effecting airplanes (P1)
- under the current rules (P2)
- trial program (P4)
Image source: by “unknown” http://www.flyingmag.com/training/learn-fly/jetblue-test-ab-initio-training-program