2024-06-01 17:44:56
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“We reported that mild turbulence was encountered on a beforehand operated flight departing from Washington. Additionally, in response to the vertical turbulence data that’s presently being up to date in actual time, there isn’t a turbulence on the present flight route, so it is suggested to proceed working at that altitude. Nevertheless, please be aware of this as there could also be mild turbulence when coming into Japanese airspace after 3 hours.” (Korean Air Flight Supervisor Kim Seong-jin)
“Korean Air Flight 082 will proceed to take care of its route on the present altitude of 38,000 toes.” (Captain of Korean Air Flight KE082)
That is the content material of the communication that happened on the ‘Operations & Buyer Middle (OCC)’ of Korean Air’s Gangseo-gu headquarters, which was renovated with the newest design and tools on the finish of final yr. The OCC flight supervisor is offering climate data to the captain of flight KE082, which is working from JFK Airport in New York, USA.
Just lately, a passenger airplane departing from London and heading to Singapore encountered turbulence and needed to make an emergency touchdown in Bangkok, Thailand. It’s reported that one passenger died and 85 have been injured on this accident. Turbulence, which is tough to foretell prematurely, is changing into a problem within the aviation trade. This satellite tv for pc communication between the Korean Air flight supervisor and the plane captain additionally centered on confirming and sharing turbulence data.
The communication between the flight supervisor and the captain was carried out with snug politeness, like on a regular basis dialog. Communication jargon comparable to ‘communication safety’ or ‘entrance’ used within the army didn’t seem. When referring to coordinates comparable to location, phonetic codes comparable to Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, India, and Kilo have been used, similar to within the army.
With passenger flights growing on account of elevated demand for air journey, Korean Air unveiled its utterly renovated OCC and Aviation Medical Middle for the primary time. Different key services such because the aviation security technique room, upkeep hangar, and cabin coaching middle have been additionally launched.
‘Complete Management Middle (OCC)’, a cockpit on the bottom that by no means sleeps… “Monitoring and managing 400 plane day-after-day”
OCC, the place satellite tv for pc communication is established, might be seen as crucial enterprise facility amongst many core services. It is because every worker’s work is immediately associated to the protection of the plane presently in operation. OCC, which is positioned on the eighth ground of Constructing A of Korean Air’s headquarters and has an space of 330 pyeong, operates 24 hours a day with a complete of 240 consultants from 11 departments working in three shifts. That is why it’s referred to as the ‘cockpit on earth’ that by no means sleeps. I anticipated it to be a critical and solemn work area as a result of the employees’ duties have been so necessary and even their nicknames have been grandiose, however the environment inside the middle through the afternoon appeared relaxed. Because it was transformed in December final yr, it’s geared up with the newest tools and the area is spacious, giving an total nice environment. The precise facet of the entrance of the middle consists of a giant lengthy window that overlooks the Gimpo Airport runway. The open view of the airport runway is exclusive. Mainly, three displays are positioned on every worker’s desk. There have been fascinating screens that displayed route data, climate data, maps, and many others., however weren’t straightforward for most people to grasp. As lunch time approached, the worker seats grew to become empty one after the other.
The big display screen that fills the entrance wall of the OCC Middle exhibits the top of state-of-the-art tools. The most important display screen within the center shows a flat map of the world, and the tracks of Korean Air plane presently in operation are displayed in actual time. It jogs my memory of a method simulation recreation display screen. As of Might, Korean Air owns a complete of 161 plane, together with 138 passenger planes and 23 cargo planes. It operates to a complete of 110 cities in 39 nations, with a mean of 400 flights per day. Roughly 400 plane icons are displayed on the massive display screen day-after-day. The map is scaled down and the plane icon is displayed giant, so you must take a look at it for some time to see the plane transferring on the display screen. There’s a flight quantity above the plane icon, making it straightforward to acknowledge. By choosing an plane, you may also verify detailed data comparable to mileage, gas quantity, and variety of passengers. As it’s the nationwide flag, the nearer you get to the map of Korea, the extra plane icons there are. The display screen additionally shows climate situations comparable to air currents and clouds. The purple climate signal that seems within the southern United States is claimed to point out the circulation of clouds (cumulus clouds). I believed it was a hurricane or turbulence that was harmful for navigation as a result of it was displayed in purple, but it surely was merely a considerable amount of clouds. Since cumulus clouds happen at low altitudes, plane heading on this path are mentioned to be at excessive altitudes so it isn’t a giant downside.
A broadcast information display screen seems on the left facet of the massive middle display screen. That is to acknowledge main world points comparable to terrorism, disasters, and pure disasters. On the other facet, on the precise, is an auxiliary display screen that shows floor site visitors, ramp operation standing, and plane runway motion standing at Gimpo and Incheon Worldwide Airports. The standing of floor operations, together with airports and runways, can be topic to 24-hour monitoring. We additionally function a phone that connects on to plane in operation. In case of irregular or emergency conditions, the flight crew, together with the captain, are notified in actual time in order that they’ll reply instantly.
As such, OCC performs an necessary function in monitoring flight situations and supporting responses to irregular conditions to make sure that plane arrive at their locations safely.
OCC is a safety-related Flight Management Middle (FCC), a Upkeep Coordination Middle (MCC), a Load Management Middle (LCC), and a buyer service-related Community Operation Middle (NOC). It consists of a complete of 4 facilities together with: It’s mentioned that by way of transforming, the Upkeep Help Middle (MCC), which was positioned individually on the third ground of the prevailing headquarters, was added to enhance work and decision-making effectivity.
Intimately, the primary process of the Flight Management Middle (FCC) is to calculate route, gas, payload, flight time, and many others. and monitor whether or not the plane is working as deliberate. Via this, secure flight data is supplied to the flight crew. It additionally performs a task in shortening flight instances and saving gas by configuring optimum routes. The Upkeep Help Middle (MCC) actually displays the standing of plane throughout flight in actual time and supplies upkeep expertise when essential. Concerning floor work, additionally it is accountable for coordinating upkeep work schedules and supporting upkeep staff at abroad branches.
The Loading Management Middle (LCC) determines passenger seating and cargo loading areas and manages the plane’s middle of gravity throughout the allowable vary. The Community Operations Middle (NOC) operates plane and crew schedules. We often predict the incidence of irregular conditions comparable to snowfall or typhoons and set up response methods. It additionally serves as a communication channel with every division of the corporate when a scenario arises.
The 4 facilities inside OCC every have completely different roles and names, however they in the end have one thing in widespread: they’re departments for ‘secure operations’. All programs are so centered on security that it’s secure to name the great management middle a complete security middle. Korean Air emphasised that as a result of it was geared up with the newest services and focused on safety-related work by way of transforming, it was potential to reply extra effectively and rapidly than earlier than simply by enhancing the services. It’s mentioned that OCC operates with three core components: Communication, Coordination, and Cooperation. As a number of departments should collaborate for secure operations, easy communication and cooperation are important. It’s characterised by the institution of a decision-making zone on the middle of OCC in order that consultants in every area can draw optimum conclusions.
Insurance policies for secure operations come from the Aviation Security Technique Workplace. The Aviation Security Technique Workplace manages safety-related elements in all facets of plane operation and non-operation. It consists of a complete of 5 groups, together with the protection planning crew, security high quality analysis crew, floor security crew, security investigation crew, and SMS (Security Administration System) crew, and has a workforce of fifty individuals. They’re all veteran workers with intensive expertise within the security area, and are accountable for every little thing from security accident prevention and analysis to accident investigation and determination. Because of this, additionally it is thought-about an invisible downside solver.
The security coverage is revised at the least annually in step with home and worldwide laws and environmental modifications for secure operation. The Aviation Security Technique Workplace can be accountable for informing every employee and operator of the established security coverage. Danger administration can be carried out to attenuate security hazards. That is performed within the following order: identification of security hazards, major threat evaluation, threat discount measures, and secondary threat evaluation. Just lately, the significance of threat administration is growing within the aviation trade, the place numerous variables such because the Asiana Airways company merger, introduction of the newest plane tools, and pandemic are occurring in a fancy method, and the function of the Aviation Security Technique Workplace is growing accordingly. As well as, it additionally hosts safety-related conferences, such because the month-to-month security and safety assembly attended by security crew leaders, the protection operation supervisor assembly held by division head-level workers, and the Central Security Committee the place vice president-level and better members collect. As well as, the Aviation Security Technique Workplace can be accountable for duties comparable to offering compensation for attaining security targets and selling an in-house security tradition primarily based on security efficiency indicators.
Massive medical facility ‘Aviation Medical Middle’… “We deal with every little thing from worker drug testing to psychological well being.”
Just like the Central Management Middle (OCC), the Korean Air Aviation Medical Middle has additionally been renovated to develop into a state-of-the-art facility. To begin with, it’s fascinating that a reasonably large medical facility has been constructed throughout the firm headquarters. Via transforming, it has been upgraded to a cushty setting similar to knowledgeable well being checkup middle in Seoul, and is claimed to be geared up with the newest services and tools. As a result of it’s a major medical establishment, there are restrictions on the introduction of kit and remedy, however it’s mentioned that by way of cooperation with giant home hospitals, it has been in a position to apply many of the services and packages essential to enhance the well being of workers.
Mainly, the Aviation Medical Middle conducts common well being checkups for all workers. Specifically, he emphasised that flight attendants should pay extra consideration to their well being as a result of they work in environments which might be completely different from the bottom, together with altitude and strain. The thought is that crew well being can be a significant component affecting secure operations. Accordingly, numerous well being promotion packages are being launched and operated with a deal with flight attendants. Though it might appear to be a glamorous job to most people, it’s mentioned that there are extra workers than anticipated who’ve problem managing their well being on account of irregular work schedules and dealing in an setting the place bodily adaptation is tough.
Representatively, a personalized sleep well being promotion program is being operated for flight attendants, and when essential, polysomnography is supported in reference to an exterior skilled medical establishment. Staff aside from flight attendants may obtain help from this system in the event that they expertise sleep issues on account of shift work.
We’re additionally specializing in stress administration. Yearly, we conduct a psychological well being check-up for all workers. To this finish, we have now arrange an in-house psychological counseling room (HU Clinic), the place two scientific psychologists are stationed. Korean Air mentioned that workers can obtain psychological counseling when essential, and the contents of the counseling are stored strictly confidential. As well as, trauma administration on account of incidents skilled throughout flight can be supplied to flight attendants.
Choi Yoon-young, head of Korean Air’s Aviation Medical Middle, mentioned, “Just lately, the demand for not solely bodily well being but in addition psychological well being care is growing,” and added, “We’re taking extra particular care of the psychological well being of flight crew members, which is immediately associated to secure operations.” It’s mentioned that she supplies intensive analysis and associated counseling on numerous areas of psychological well being, comparable to psychological state, life-style habits together with ingesting, and cognitive operate.
The Aviation Medical Middle can be accountable for testing for medication, which have gotten a social downside. Middle Director Choi mentioned that drug assessments are carried out unexpectedly by randomly choosing 5% of the crew members who return to Korea in accordance with authorized requirements. There’s a process to conduct a easy (reagent) drug take a look at and, if a constructive outcome, conduct an in depth take a look at, however it’s mentioned that there has by no means been a case the place the drug take a look at truly got here out constructive. Nevertheless, he defined that if a constructive result’s discovered even after an in depth take a look at, the process is to report it to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and judicial authorities.
The aviation medical middle additionally operates a floor medical system to arrange for emergency sufferers on board. It’s mentioned {that a} ’24-hour emergency medical name system’ comprised of expert docs is being operated in partnership with a big hospital. Mainly, when a affected person happens on board, a passenger who’s a health care provider is discovered and emergency measures are taken. If there isn’t a physician among the many passengers, the emergency medical name system is used to take motion. In actual fact, final February, a Nepali affected person occurred on board an plane en path to Nepal, and it’s mentioned that first help was administered on board following the physician’s recommendation by way of the emergency system. It’s reported that the Nepalese passenger regained consciousness to the purpose the place he might talk and was safely handed over to medical workers ready on the bottom after touchdown.
Korean Air emphasised that it’s repeatedly strengthening its medical response system, together with the aviation medical middle, in-flight medical tools, and first help strategies, as a way to elevate the extent of secure operations.
Though transforming has not but been carried out, the cabin coaching middle is claimed to be a cradle for nurturing cabin crew into security personnel, and upgrades for schooling and coaching are ceaselessly made.
The visitor room coaching middle positioned subsequent to the headquarters constructing opened in 2003. It has 2 underground flooring and a couple of above-ground flooring, with a complete ground space of 7,695㎡. To allow coaching as in actual conditions, services an identical to components of the fuselage of plane such because the Boeing 747 are put in and used for cabin (reserve) crew coaching. Doorways for every plane sort are additionally positioned for coaching functions and used for observe. There’s additionally a big swimming pool measuring 25m extensive and 50m tall.
It’s mentioned that each one crew members endure common security coaching annually, and coaching and schooling are supplied ceaselessly relying on the scenario, such because the introduction of recent tools. The middle consists of an plane door operation lab, an emergency tools lab, a primary help lab, and an emergency response coaching facility.
First, all flight attendants are recurrently educated on find out how to function completely different doorways for every plane sort. It’s essential to additionally learn to examine and use medical tools, hearth suppression tools, and emergency escape tools used within the occasion of a affected person or passenger. Emergency touchdown coaching can be carried out in case an plane makes an emergency touchdown within the sea or river. Emergency touchdown coaching is carried out like an actual scenario within the middle’s swimming pool. In actual fact, an emergency escape slide facility is put in on the second ground of an condo linked to the fuselage. Via coaching, you’ll learn to use life jackets, lifeboat boarding procedures, and find out how to request rescue.
As it’s a facility that trains workers accountable for security, the voice of the worker (teacher) conducting the coaching was fairly critical. In an sudden emergency touchdown scenario, the crew instructions an escape command by utilizing an escape command, and the escape command confirmed by way of the sensible demonstration was high-handed and intense. The sight of individuals shouting issues like “bow your head” and “decrease your posture” made me really feel like a two-faced flight attendant. It’s mentioned that such a agency and clear order is crucial to guard the passengers’ our bodies and rapidly guarantee security. The thought is that in emergency conditions the place security should be thought-about high precedence, trivial courtesy or consideration is nothing greater than a luxurious.
Moreover, we have been in a position to verify on the cabin coaching middle that cabin crew members can develop into law enforcement officials within the sky. Because the variety of air vacationers will increase, it’s mentioned that circumstances of passengers partaking in unlawful acts comparable to disorderly conduct on board happen as soon as a month. In response to Korean Air, cabin crew members are legally granted the standing of judicial law enforcement officials and carry out the function of police when an unlawful act of obstruction happens. One of many flight attendant’s duties is to rapidly suppress utilizing the safety tools on board if a verbal warning or warning letter isn’t given and the disturbance continues. Safety tools consists of restraint tools that appears like a noose and a Taser gun. Within the in-flight dysfunction suppression observe room, a re-enactment of a scenario wherein a disorderly passenger on an airplane was subdued was proven. The precise firing and use of the Taser, an electroshock machine, have been additionally re-enacted. Tasers can be utilized to fireside like a gun from a distance of a number of meters or to use an electrical shock on to the physique.
Korean Air emphasised that if a flight attendant doesn’t obtain common security coaching on account of depart, and many others., they have to endure a re-employment coaching course earlier than returning to work. A Korean Air official mentioned, “We’re making no compromises on security.”
‘Korean Air upkeep hangar’ with world-class upkeep capabilities
Korean Air is without doubt one of the airways with the world’s highest stage of plane upkeep capabilities. The upkeep workforce alone is about 3,100 individuals. It operates a complete of 5 upkeep hangars and engine and components upkeep factories, together with Incheon, Gimpo, Bucheon, and Busan. Outfitted with the newest tools and services, every little thing from easy upkeep to advanced complete upkeep is feasible.
The Gimpo hangar is positioned within the middle of Korean Air’s headquarters. The hangar might be seen from the hallway of the workplace area. It’s a giant facility measuring 180m in size and 90m in width, equal to the scale of two soccer fields mixed. The ceiling is 25 meters excessive, which is the peak of a 10-story condo constructing. It will possibly accommodate a complete of three plane, together with two giant plane and one medium-sized plane, on the identical time. Incheon Airport additionally has a hangar of the identical measurement as Gimpo, and the Busan Tech Middle has an plane paint hangar, which is claimed to be the one such facility in Korea. Self-painting work is feasible. There are plane engine upkeep factories in Bucheon and Incheon. Overhaul, the best stage of upkeep wherein engine components are disassembled and restored to their unique situation by way of inspection and restore, is claimed to be potential. Presently, enlargement of a brand new engine upkeep plant is in progress on the website subsequent to the engine take a look at cell in Yeongjongdo, Incheon.
Korean Air is making each effort to make sure secure operations by checking the situation of the plane earlier than every takeoff and after every touchdown. Because of thorough upkeep, delays or cancellations on account of plane defects are uncommon and the on-time flight departure fee is excessive. Mechanical security can be extremely regarded as a result of, along with routine upkeep, plane engines and components are inspected and changed relying on flight time, variety of takeoffs and landings, and many others. Just lately, a predictive upkeep group was established to make the most of numerous knowledge collected from plane to preemptively carry out upkeep earlier than defects happen. The upkeep help middle inside OCC can be linked to the hangar to observe plane standing 24 hours a day and supply upkeep technical help.
Kim Min-beom, Donga.com reporter [email protected]
2024-06-01 17:44:56