Jumbo training starts

Press, 26 February 1981, Page 19

Jumbo training starts

PA Wellington Air New Zealand pilots have begun their training to prepare for the delivery of the airline’s new Boeing 747 jumbo jets. Five captains, five first officers, and five flight enginees who have started a three-week course at the airline’s Auckland technical training school are the first of about 100 flight deck crew who will convert from the DC 10 over the next few months. One group will complete its training on the flight deck of a 747 in the United States, and the others will gain practical experience after the first aircraft is delivered in late May. . The first group will go to the Boeing company in Seattle for simulator training, followed by practical flving on Air New Zealand’s first 747. Other groups will do ground or simulator training with Qantas in Sydney, and air training in Auckland. Some executive captains and flight engineers have already received 747 training in Australia, and fly with Qantas at least once a month to maintain their qualifications.