Questions as a plan. Tell another groupmate what you have found out.

Student A’s questions (Do not show these to student B):

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “pilot” / “air traffic controller”?

2. What do you think the life of a pilot / an air traffic controller is like?

3. What is so special about being a pilot / an air traffic controller?

4. What part of your future job do you think will be the most interesting / the least interesting / the most difficult? Why? Explain.

5. Why do you think people become military / civil pilots? Give your reasons.

6. What part of your future job do you think will be the most interesting / the least interesting / the most difficult?

7. What privileges and responsibilities does an airline pilot / ATCO have?

8. As a pilot / ATCO cadet, what are the things that you still need to learn and why do you need to learn them?

9. Would you feel safer if the pilot of your airplane / ATCO was male or female? Why? Explain.

Student B’s questions (Do not show these to student A):

1. What do you think of the job of a pilot / ATCO?

2. Would you rather be an airplane pilot or a helicopter pilot / Tower controller or Radar controller? Why?

3. How did you become interested in becoming a pilot / an air traffic controller?

4. How do you think pilots feel when they walk through airports in their uniforms?

5. What route would you prefer to fly / to control – domestic or international? Why?

6. If you were a pilot, which type of aircraft would you like to fly and why?

7. What do you feel when you hear about accidents involving a passenger plane?

8. What are the pros and cons of being a pilot / an air traffic controller?

9. Will we need pilots / ATCOs in the future? Why?

Read some information about other aviation jobs then compare their responsibilities.

A purser is a chief of the cabin crew. She / he is responsible for Flight Service Management. She / he ensures compliance among the cabin crew for relevant Company policies and procedures during all phases of flight.

A security officer has to remain alert to spot anything suspicious throughout the working day. He needs to check people’s boarding cards and x-ray their hand luggage. He also spends time carrying out patrols within the airport.

A flight attendant welcomes the passengers, makes sure they are sitting in the correct seats and assists them in emergencies. Following take off, she/he provides in-flight bar, meal and sales services. At the end of the flight she/he prepares the cabin for landing.

A customs officer’s job is to stop the illegal import or export of drugs, money, firearms, to control transportation of dangerous substances and materials and endangered species.

An air marshal’s aim is to assist the pilot in the safe manoeuvring of the aircraft on the ground. He communicates with the pilot by making visual signals with the arms and hands.

A maintenance engineer is a member of ground staff. His responsibility is to keep the aircraft serviceable.

An aircraft refuller drives an enormous fuel tanker to the planes and connects them with the fuel tanks of the aircraft so that the necessary amount of fuel is supplied there.

A shuttle bus driver is in charge of the bus delivering passengers from the plane to the terminal. Besides he assists boarding passengers with their baggage if called for.

Choose any job you like and make a short presentation of three or five minutes.

Topic: Aviation jobs (pilot / ATCO / flight attendant / customs officer / purser / air marshal / shuttle bus driver / aircraft refueller / maintenance engineer / security officer etc.)

Suggestions: personal qualities; responsibilities and tasks; advantages and disadvantages; the future; perks and social benefits (e. g. - foreign travel); qualifications; career structure and promotion.

 

 

9. Listen to three people working in the aviation industry talk about their jobs.