What is the minimum number of cabin crew?
- A319 150Y: 3 CC
Seat Blocking Tables (SBT) must be installed in Row 23. Reduction of Cabin Crew below 3 is NOT allowed. - A319 156Y: 4 CC
- A320 180Y & 186Y: 4 CC
- A321 235Y: 5 CC
Can you operate with reduced cabin crew?
OM A 4.1.4 Reduced Cabin Crew Operations
All flights are planned with at least the minimum number of required cabin crew.
However, unforeseen circumstances may lead to a cabin crew member becoming unable to operate.
Reduced cabin crew operations are not permitted from an originating base.
Reduced cabin crew operations must be authorised by the Network Duty Manager.
Reduced cabin crew operations are subject to the following:
- The reduction is limited to one below the normal minimum crew complement.
Note:
Reduction of cabin crew below 3 is not permitted for the A319 in the 150 configuration.
- A maximum of one inexperienced cabin crew member in the crew.
- This facility shall only be used to complete the original planned flight or series of flights, including any nightstop.
- The number of passengers is reduced. A maximum of 50 passengers may be carried per cabin crew member (infants are not included in this figure). The cabin crew member who has been removed from duty but is positioning on the flight is not included in this passenger count.
- All passengers must be seated in a position from which they can adequately view the safety demonstration. When redistributing passengers, the effect on the balance of the aeroplane must be taken into account. In these circumstances the SCCM must redistribute the responsibilities for normal and emergency procedures amongst the remaining cabin crew members.
- In the event that a cabin crew member is incapacitated, the cabin crew member is considered ‘unfit to fly’ until certified as ‘fit to fly’ by a doctor or paramedic. In the event that a doctor or paramedic is not available, the cabin crew member should be offloaded and be provided with local accommodation. In extraordinary circumstances, the Commander may use judgement to repatriate the cabin crew member, but will be required to justify the decision for any subsequent associated issues. In the event that the cabin crew member is repatriated, the Commander should consider the most appropriate seating location for the cabin crew member (passenger cabin or flight deck).
- In the event that two aircraft are on a turnaround at the same time, if one flight has a full cabin crew complement and a passenger load of 150 or less, the transfer of a cabin crew member from this flight to the affected aircraft may be authorised to reduce the need for passenger offload.
- All reduced cabin crew operations shall be reported by ASR and CSR.
What if the SCCM goes sick down route? What are the considerations/actions?
OM A 4.1.4 Reduced Cabin Crew Operations
A flight shall not depart from its originating base without a designated SCCM in the operating crew.
If the SCCM becomes incapacitated after departure from the originating base, the most appropriately qualified cabin crew member will be assigned to act as SCCM in order to complete the flight or series of flights.
If there is no other cabin crew member qualified as SCCM in the crew, the next most experienced cabin crew member may assume the position of interim SCCM. This must be agreed by the Commander.
For the flight to depart for continuation of the series of flights, the cabin crew member (interim SCCM) shall have a minimum of 12 months experience as an operating cabin crew member and shall have a minimum of 20 sectors on the aeroplane type.
The interim SCCM shall familiarise themselves with the SCCM specific duties prior to departure.
The incapacitated/unavailable SCCM should be replaced if the series of flights operates through a transit base. However, if no SCCM is available at that base, the series of flights may continue to the originating base with the interim SCCM fulfilling the role.
Can you board the aircraft with reduced crew? What are the considerations?
OM A 4.1.4.4 Boarding with Reduced Cabin Crew from Originating Base
For operational reasons only, boarding can commence with one less than the required minimum cabin crew providing the procedures below are followed:
- At least one member of the flight crew is on the Flight Deck.
- A qualified SCCM must be present in the passenger cabin if the operating SCCM is delayed.
- The qualified SCCM has performed the pre-flight safety briefing to the cabin crew.
- All the pre-flight cabin checks (SEP and Security) have been completed.
- Cabin crew duties are distributed between the SCCM and remaining cabin crew positions.
- The missing cabin crew member will join the crew as CC4.
- No fuelling or de-fuelling is taking place.
- Electrical power is available.
- The SCCM must be present at the forward door and is responsible for doors 1L and 1R.
- CC2 must be present at the rear door and is responsible for doors 2L and 2R.
- CC3 must be present in the middle of the cabin at the overwing exits and is responsible for overwing exits.
- A321 only – CC5 must be present at the mid emergency exits and is responsible for the mid emergency exits.
- A maximum of 50 passengers can board per cabin crew member present. The remaining passengers can board once the full complement of cabin crew are present.
- When the operating SCCM arrives a handover briefing must be completed by the acting SCCM to include what duties have been completed and all relevant information from the briefing.
When may a member of the cabin crew initiate an evacuation
CSPM 3.12 Initiation of Evacuation
Although it is normally only the Commander who may order an evacuation of the aircraft, circumstances may dictate that any other cabin crew member may initiate such action.
However, there may be other factors, perhaps unknown to the Commander at that time and if there is an obvious, immediately life threatening situation, any cabin crew member can initiate an evacuation. In such situations it is important that the pilots are informed promptly, if safe to do so, that the cabin crew are initiating an evacuation. Be aware that the engines may still be running.
If there is no communication from the pilots in an emergency situation (planned or unplanned), after the aircraft has come to a complete stop, and if the senior cabin crew member finds the pilots incapacitated then the senior cabin crew member can initiate an evacuation.
What is the Emergency Drill?
In the event of a pre-planned emergency where time is available to brief the passengers and prepare the cabin for an emergency landing or ditching, the following drill should be carried out. The drill is appropriate to all types of aircraft and every member of the cabin crew. If there will be insufficient time available to complete the full emergency drill crew must adapt their actions as appropriate to the situation. The Cabin Manager must brief the crew accordingly.
(Ditching procedures are shown in brackets)
The emergency drill is as follows:
- Alert Call
- Brief
- Emergency PA. Seat belts, Brace and Exits (including life jackets)
- Able Bodied Passengers Briefed On Exits (assist with flotation aids)
- Final Cabin Secure Check
- Dim Cabin Lights
- Landing Positions
- Brace
- Open/Operate Exits and Direct
- Evacuate
What are abnormal/emergency call-outs and when are they said?
OM B 3.80.5 Abnormal and Emergency Call Outs - Communications
- “Senior Cabin Crew Member to the Interphone”: The SCCM is required on the interphone urgently. For pre-planned emergency procedures and NITS brief refer to CSPM.
- “Senior Cabin Crew Member to the Flight Deck”: The SCCM is required on the flight deck urgently. For pre-planned emergency
procedures and NITS brief refer to CSPM. - “Attention. Crew at station”
On ground: use this PA during ground operation at any time when an emergency evacuation may be required.
In-flight: Use this PA in flight to alert the Cabin Crew that an event has occurred and the Flight Deck is dealing with it. Crew are to interrupt their duty, stow any unsecured equipment, return to their assigned position and fasten their harness, await further instructions and remain vigilant in the cabin.
“Cabin Crew and passengers be seated immediately”: Where severe turbulence is either encountered or expected and insufficient time is available for normal procedures.
“Cabin Crew Normal Operations”
On ground: Following a PA “Attention! Crew at Stations”, the potential for an emergency evacuation no longer exists.
In-flight: Following a PA “Attention! Crew at Stations”, the cabin crew can resume normal cabin operations.
Following a PA “Cabin Crew and passengers be seated immediately”, when it is safe to move in the cabin again.
- “Cabin Crew take up Landing Positions”: Passing 2000 ft in the descent for a planned emergency landing.
“Brace, Brace”: At 500 ft in the descent for a planned emergency landing.
“Attention Crew Brace, Brace”: An unplanned emergency landing is imminent.
“Evacuate, Unfasten Your Seat Belts and Get Out”: An Emergency Evacuation is required.
Fueling with pax on board, what are the considerations?
OM A 8.2.1.1 Refueling with Passengers on Board
The Commander is responsible for observing that the correct technical and safety procedures are in place during the refuelling process with passengers on board.
Preconditions
* Airport
Check CCI/AOI for the following:
- If the local national or airport authority require air traffic control and the aerodrome fire services to be advised that fuelling will be taking place with passengers on board
- Any other local measures which must be adhered to.
- Aircraft
- The required interior lighting to enable emergency exits to be identified must be serviceable.
- All doors must remain disarmed. Door 1 left must be open and the steps or airbridge must be in position.
- A clear evacuation route from the aircraft must be available, via an airbridge or steps.
- The rear passenger door should be open with steps in position, however it may remain closed with no steps attached, provided the slide is serviceable. The ground area beneath the exits that are intended for emergency evacuation and the slide deployment areas must be kept clear.
- The position of the fuel bowser/installation relative to the aeroplane is to be such that it will not impede the rapid exit of passengers if an emergency evacuation becomes necessary;
- Cabin Crew
- The procedure is not permitted when operating with reduced cabin crew.
- All crew must be on board. At least one cabin crew member must be in attendance at each set of main exits to assist passengers in the event that an evacuation or an emergency should occur.
- The cabin crew must brief the passengers not to smoke at any time on the ground and to keep seatbelts unfastened, until refuelling has been completed.
- Use of toilets by passengers must be limited, so there is no queuing in the aisles.
Note:
1. For a crew swap, refuelling with passengers on board may commence if acknowledgement has been received from the flight crew and refuelling is monitored by the off-going crew.
- These procedures only apply when passengers are on board.
Prior to Refuelling
- The FASTEN SEAT BELT signs must be OFF and the NO SMOKING signs must be ON. Cabin crew will assume that refuelling is taking place at any time that passengers are onboard and the seat belt signs are switched OFF.
- The Commander must verbalise and positively confirm which pilot will remain in the right-hand seat for the entire procedure. Once they are in the seat that pilot will:
#Display the “Refuelling with PAX in Progress” sign on the pedestal and open the cockpit door;
#Open the RHS cockpit window sufficiently for outside ambient sound to be heard;
#Place the Fuel Card in the RHS window with refuelling with passengers on board signal showing;
#Ensure acknowledgement of the Fuel Card by the refueller; this establishes communication and confirms that refuelling with passengers on board is taking place.
Note:
Environmental conditions could preclude the cockpit window being open(ed). In these cases refuelling during boarding must not start or be suspended. However, in case the Commander is able to nominate a person on the ground who has an unobstructed view and is able to communicate with the flight deck, refuelling may commence/continue.
During Refuelling
A pilot must remain in the right-hand seat and;
- Ensure there is an unobstructed view of the apron area from the flight deck. In case there is an obstruction during refuelling whilst boarding, refuelling must be suspended. However, in case the Commander is able to nominate a person on the ground who has an unobstructed view and is able to communicate with the flight deck, refuelling may continue;
- Must be ready to handle emergency procedures including initiating and directing an evacuation.
After Refuelling Complete
- Remove fuel card from window (to avoid miscommunication on next sector).
- Remove “Refuelling with PAX in Progress” sign.
- Close the cockpit window.
- Seat belt sign on.
Emergency Procedures
If the presence of fuel vapour is detected, or any other hazard inside the aircraft arises, refer to the checklist on the back of the QRH.
In case of an emergency situation during the refuelling process on the ramp:
- The refueller will stop the refuelling process and;
- Use a clear audio signal that can be heard in the flight deck and on the ramp (e.g. signal horn or claxon fuel truck) to communicate that an emergency situation exists to flight and ground crew;
- Be prepared to instigate a precautionary rapid disembarkation on stand or to evacuate;
- Communication with ground crew and direct visual assessment from the cockpit sliding window may help to assess the situation.
How many infants may be carried?
CSPM 2.4.12.2 Restraint of infants and children
The total number of infants permitted to be carried onboard the aircraft is 18.
CLEAR briefing?
This briefing can be delivered over the interphone and it is not required to be repeated back.
CLEAR briefing
C Crew name (who are you)
L Location (where are you)
E Event (what is happening)
A Actions taken (what have you done)
R Recommendation (what should we do now)
