A Flight Attendants Training Program Includes Practical and Theory Based Instruction and Must Be Aircraft Type Specific

A flight attendants training program must be completed and passed before you can be assigned an air crew member working position on-board any aircraft.

While much of a flight attendant training program is applicable to a fleet of aircraft operated by a particular company, you must also be endorsed on the ‘type specific’ aircraft that you will operate on.

This will involve both practical and theory based instruction. 

Practically you must be given, have knowledge and receive instruction on:

  • A general description of the aircraft
  • All crew member’s assignments, functions and responsibilities during a land evacuation or ditching
  • The briefing of passengers at all evacuation doors and windows
  • How to use the public address system
  • How to contact and communicate with the Flight Deck in normal and emergency situations
  • The location and use of emergency and first aid equipment


The extension of this will be

  • The operation and use of each type of normal and emergency exit, evacuation slide and escape rope and the procedures for a prepared or unprepared evacuation
  • The method of operation of each type of portable fire extinguisher
  • The methods of use of fixed oxygen equipment
  • The methods and use of portable oxygen equipment
  • How to fit and inflate life-jackets both in and out of the water
  • The location and use of life rafts
  • The location and use of signalling equipment
  • The location and use of First Aid Kits


Your theoretical knowledge must include

  • Knowledge of the type and location(s) of fire extinguishers carried on-board, their contents, toxicity and how they might adversely affect breathing
  • Knowledge on the type of fires for which those extinguishers can be used and the precautions to be observed in their operation


For pressurised aircraft:

  • A knowledge of the effects of altitude on respiration, gas expansion and gas bubble formation
  • A knowledge of Hypoxia and durations of effective consciousness at various altitudes without supplemental oxygen
  • A knowledge of the type, number and location of oxygen bottles carried and the precautions of its use
  • A knowledge of the decompression, the physical effects and actions required by crew in the event of a decompression


For all types of aircraft

  • A knowledge of survival methods on land and water
  • A knowledge of how to control passengers during emergencies including emergency evacuation on land and water and the required evacuation commands

This includes psychological and physical methods of passenger control in both aircraft emergencies and hijack/hostage situations. You must know...

  • The stowage location and correct use of restraint equipment
  • How to handle disabled passengers
  • How to handle deranged passengers including the mentally impaired, or persons intent on hijacking an aircraft or who possess intent to compromise the safety of an aircraft. (While there is no hard and fast rule to any emergency there is action to be taken subject to the prevailing circumstances.)


Your flight attendants training program will also include

Emergency Drills

All crew must also have a ‘Word Perfect’ recall on Cabin Preparation and Cabin Evacuation Drills for normal and non-normal landings including land and ditching. You must achieve a 100% theory pass mark on these drills.

In addition you must also complete and receive a 100% pass mark for completion of an Emergency Equipment Location chart on any aircraft that you are trained to fly on.


You will also require practical competence in



  • Emergency Evacuation Procedures
  • Ditching Procedures
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Door and window exit operation




Any flight attendants training program is governed and operated in accordance with Civil Aviation Orders and Regulations (CAO and CAR)

These orders stipulate that Air Crew (including Pilots and Flight Attendants) must pass emergency revalidation every 12 months by attending a 20.11 compliant recurrent course.

The course covers your proficiency as a crew member in the execution of your emergency and evacuation procedures, and the location, serviceability and operation of all emergency and safety equipment on-board including the operation of exits.

Under Civil Aviation Regulations air crew are also required to pass a course of training in Dangerous Goods handling and their precautions every two years.

Having now read a dot point version of a Flight Attendants Training Program, I hope that you can now see the somewhat superfluous value of Flight Attendant Training Schools although I admit some of the modules offered are of value content to some people.


Flight Attendants Training Program

The AIRLINES - Be a Flight Attendant Today program

This is a 30 day comprehensive ‘Be a Flight Attendant’ training program starting from scratch delivered in 30 videos and 9 online website based electronic FLIP Books.

It is designed to take you from grass roots entry level and show you what is required to achieve a Flight Attendant career step-by-step.

The program unravels the requirements and the process of the application and interview process that you as an applicant must know and make second nature to give you the edge in securing a Flight Attendant career.

More information on Flight Attendant jobs and career availability with every other airline on this web site (plus others) can be viewed via our facebook page from post to post as news becomes available.

You're also invited to view The Secrets of Flight Attendant Interviews 




From Flight Attendants Training Program to the main page about Airline Careers