Aviation Regulations, Safety, and Cabin Crew Operations

Cabin Crew Member (CC)

An appropriately qualified crew member, other than a flight crew or technical crew member, who is assigned by an operator to perform duties related to the safety of passengers (PAX) and flight during operations.

Operating Crew Member

A crew member carrying out duties in an aircraft during a sector.

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization; created in $1944$ by the Chicago Convention to promote safe development of civil aviation, setting standards for safety, security, and efficiency.

Regulatory Bodies

Entities responsible for formulating and enforcing laws that ensure the safety and security of individuals/organizations and set basic standards in aviation.

CAA

Civil Aviation Authority; the national regulatory body that supervises Operator compliance, issues AOCs and Attestations, and approves manual revisions.

AOC

Air Operator's Certificate; a certificate issued by a CAA allowing an operator to conduct commercial air transport operations.

Ramp Inspection

An on-the-spot assessment of aircraft's condition, crew qualifications, and documentation to verify compliance with applicable requirements.

Safety

The state in which the possibility of harm to persons or property damage is reduced to, and maintained at or below, an acceptable level through hazard identification and risk management.

Safety Management System (SMS)

A systematic approach to managing safety, including organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures.

Just Culture

A characteristic of safety culture that distinguishes between culpable and non-culpable unsafe acts, recognizing most errors are not truly blameworthy.

Hazard

Anything with the potential to cause harm, including injuries to personnel, damage to equipment, or reduction of the ability to perform a function.

Fatigue

A physiological state of reduced mental or physical performance capability resulting from sleep loss, extended wakefulness, circadian phase, or workload.

Cabin Crew Attestation

A document issued with unlimited duration that remains valid unless suspended, revoked, or if the holder hasn't exercised privileges for preceding $60\,months$.

Cabin Crew Medical Report

Proof of medical fitness valid for $60\,months$ indicating the holder is free from physical and mental illness.

Aero-medical assessment

A conclusion on the medical fitness of an applicant based on clinically indicated aero-medical examinations.

Thrust

One of the four forces acting on an airplane, generated by the jet engines.

Lift

One of the four forces acting on an airplane, generated by the wings.

Vertical Stabilizer

A 'small wing' at the tail of the plane that prevents the nose from uncontrolled swinging from side to side.

Horizontal Stabilizer

A 'small wing' at the tail of the plane that prevents uncontrolled up-and-down motion of the nose.

Flaps

Hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the wings that, when extended, enable the aircraft to fly safely at slower speeds.

Slats

Aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge (front tip) of the wings that provide a higher coefficient of lift and allow a higher angle of attack.

Jet Bridge

The mobile walkway tunnel that connects the aircraft and the terminal for transporting passengers.

Girt Bar

A metal bar that attaches the evacuation slide to floor brackets at the door's threshold when armed.

APU

Auxiliary Power Unit; a small engine below the tail providing electrical power and air bleed on the ground.

GPU

Ground Power Unit; a machine that provides electricity to an aircraft while it is stationary on the ground.

MEL

Minimum Equipment List; a categorized list of onboard systems and equipment that may be inoperative for a certain number of flights or days.

ATC

Air Traffic Control; a tower responsible for the separation and efficient movement of aircraft and vehicles on taxiways and runways.

Safety Equipment

Equipment used during day-to-day normal operations for the safe conduct of the flight, such as seat belts and safety demonstration kits.

Emergency Equipment

Equipment used in abnormal and emergency situations for life preservation, such as fire extinguishers and slide-rafts.

ELT

Emergency Locator Transmitter; equipment that broadcasts distinctive signals on designated frequencies, activated manually or by crash impact.

Direct View

A direct line of sight with the cabin area enableing the crew to be made aware of passenger needs related to safety while seated.

Journey Log

A document signed by the Commander containing aircraft registration, crew names, duty assignments, and flight details.

Sterile Flight Deck

A period during critical flight phases (taxi, take-off, landing) when flight crew must not be disturbed except for matters critical