It’s easy to take for granted the professional cabin crews who ensure the smooth-running of a commercial flight, but high levels of dedicated training and strict assessment are vital before they earn their ‘wings’. Tony Mallett spent the day with cabin crew trainer David Gott and his new
The Virgin Atlantic training centre in Crawley, West Sussex is a purpose-built facility housing a plethora of equipment, rigs and simulators that replicate working conditions onboard the airline’s fleet. Food preparation galleys, all seating classes, a range of aircraft door configurations, escape slides, crew sleeping quarters, lavatories and flight decks await the trainees. A section of fuselage – with automated doors that once closed create an enclosed passenger cabin for smoke/fire simulation and emergency evacuation drills – is a further focal point.
