FV 071 : (Part 2) Life of an airline pilot

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This is the second part of my interview with Jean-Benoît , a French pilot for a major Middle Eastern airline. In this episode, you’ll learn how a pilot’s body deals with night flights and jetlags, what turbulences are and whether they are dangerous. You’ll hear Jean-Benoît’s point of view regarding the strengthening of safety rules since the September 11th terror attacks and you’ll find out how many female pilots are in command of your plane journeys!

If you missed the first part of the interview, listen to episode 70

Episode Timeline

Part 1

How a pilot’s body deals with night flights and jetlags

Airlines and profitability

Part 2

Safety rules changes

A personal rant about excessive safety rules!

Part 3

What are turbulences?

Are turbulences dangerous?

Funniest and scariest experiences

Part 4

Another type of turbulence

Are there many female pilots?

Vocab List

aéroport (nm) = airport

arme blanche (nf) = bladed weapon

bagage en soute = checked luggage

carlingue (nf) = cabin

ceinture (nf) = belt, seat belt

confisquer = to confiscate, to seize, to take away

coupe-ongles (nm) = nail clipper

créneau (nm) = (time) slot

escale (nf) = stopover

hache (nf) = axe

inox (nm) = stainless steel

mallette de vol (nf) = flight bag, flight case

personnel navigant (nm) = flight crew

pilote de chasse = fighter pilot

poste de pilotage (nm) = cockpit

soute (nf) = bagage hold

train d'atterrissage (nm) = landing gear

tricoter = to knit

trou d'air (nm) = air pocket

Questions:

Part 1: How many hours a year does Jean-Benoit fly in his airline?

Part 2: In which airport is security the stricter: New York or London?

Part 3: Vrai ou faux? La turbulence d’air clair est une turbulence généralement prévisible.

Part 4 : Quel est le pourcentage de femmes pilotes ?

Answers:

900 hours (which is the maximum authorised)

In London

Vrai (elle “peut être notifiée sur les cartes météo du dossier de vol”)

10%

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