Ex.10 Read and translate.

THE FLIGHT CREW

The flight crew are the men and the women who work in an aircraft when it is flying from one city to another. They can be divided into two groups – those who fly the aircraft and those who work with the passengers. The first group consists normally of two or more people. They are the captain and the co-pilot, sometimes there is one more member in the flight deck team and it is a flight engineer. There may be a navigator and a radio-operator, too.

THE CABIN CREW

The people who work in the cabin with the passengers are called the cabin crew. The senior member of the cabin crew is called the purser. Those who work under the senior member of the cabin crew are called stewards or stewardesses by the public, but they should be correctly called cabin attendants or CA’s for short.

CREW MEMBERS AND THEIR DUTIES

The captain’s command begins as soon as he enters the aircraft to carry out a flight. The captain must look after the safety of his aircraft. He is to make correct decisions in difficult weather or any troubles which may happen. He is responsible for flight documentation and pre-flight preparations. The Captain has always to take care of the comfort of his passengers. This is the most important thing after the safety of the aircraft. He must keep to his schedule as closely as possible.

The navigator must know the route very well. He determines the wind direction and the wind speed. He determines the course of the aircraft and its position. He is responsible for navigation. He is a great help to the Captain.

The flight engineer works both in the air and on the ground. Before the flight he must make an inspection of the aircraft. During the flight he watches the engine instruments. The radio-operator is responsible for radio communication.

All the members of the crew have to be in cockpit except the CA’s. They may enter the cockpit but mostly they are in the passenger cabin. The CA’s must check all catering aboard. They serve food and drinks. They take care of the passengers on board during the flight. They show them how to use seat belts at take-off and landing. They should also help passengers if they get airsick. They must do their best to make the journey comfortable. The cabin crew answers for the safety of an aircraft in flight and for the safety and comfort of passengers.