FAA Flight Attendant Training

Flight attendants ensure the safety of airline passengers during flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration oversees commercial airline passenger safety and sets the standards for qualifications and training of in-flight personnel. Flight attendants attend an initial safety certification course during formal training and then must requalify yearly with a condensed shorter course.

Federal Aviation Administration

The FAA sets safety training standards for all in-flight airline personnel. Each airline has its own safety policies, but they must comply with and implement the FAA standards in order to carry passengers.

FAA Safety Training

Flight attendants undergo initial FAA safety instruction during their airline's formal training. Trainees learn the safety features of each aircraft operated by the airline and take part in evacuation and water ditching drills. They are graded on a pass-or-fail basis on written tests and their knowledge of procedures.

Length of Training

Length of training varies with the airline. Formal flight attendant training usually lasts from four to six weeks. The FAA initial safety training takes at least a week of that time.

FAA Flight Attendant Manual

The FAA-mandated flight attendant manual must be accessible to flight attendants during flight. Monthly update pages concerning safety equipment changes or new procedures must be installed. Failure to update the manual can result in an FAA fine.

Yearly Recurrent Emergency Training

The FAA requires all active flight attendants to keep current on safety training by attending recurrent emergency training during the anniversary month of their hiring date. The training consists of two days of updated drill practice and coursework, then a day of practical and written testing.

FAA Regulations

FAA regulations prohibit flight attendants who have not attended recurrent emergency training on schedule from working any flight hours until they have attended the training. Flight attendants who still have not attended and passed recurrent emergency training by 30 days after their hiring anniversary must repeat the weeklong initial FAA training safety to be reinstated.

References

• Buerau of Labor Statistics: Flight Attendants
• Avjobs: Airline Flight Attendant Career Overview
• Federal Aviation Administration: Flight Attendant Certification

Resources

• Federal Aviation Administration: Home Page