Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School Field trip to JetBlue, New York Wednesday, November 4, 2015

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1 Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School Field trip to JetBlue, New York Wednesday, November 4, 2015 The students arrived at school at approximately 4:15 am, (Certainly a lesson in self discipline!). The bus, supplied by the Aero Club of Washington DC arrived on time at 4:30 and we proceeded to Dulles International Airport. This was the first time for many of our students to fly and for some, first time to visit Dulles Airport. The new Passenger Transport Trains at Dulles provide an interesting STEM project for exploring the concept of rapidly moving people from the main terminal to their departure terminals efficiently. JetBlue Airways provided seats on one of their Embraer 190 short haul jets which accommodates 100 passengers. One of the nicest features of this Jet is that each passenger has a flat screen, passenger selectable, TV at eye level in the headrest of the preceding seat. The trip from takeoff to landing, Dulles to JFK airport in New York City, takes approximately 45 minutes. The weather was clear with no turbulence and the flight was smooth. For a first time flight this was ideal! At our arrival at the JFK JetBlue terminal, we were met by two JetBlue Representatives and escorted to their conference room, shortly thereafter we were given breakfast. Special company leaders were introduced to us and they explained their roles with the company. After breakfast we were given a tour of the JetBlue Operations center, the brains behind everything that s happening on their airplanes. The various job positions were explained to include positions such as the Maintenance expediter, the ground crew coordinator, and the aircraft movement coordinator. The Ops Center had positions and computer displays for approximately 20 specialists who smoothly choreographed timing of passengers and aircraft to the minute. After the tour of the Ops Center, we were taken to the JetBlue Tower which overlooks their airplanes, passenger loading gates, and the taxiways adjacent to their terminal. What a great view as we watched planes take-off and land. The Jet Blue tower operators are the eyes and ears of the Ops Center because they can see exactly what s going on, which gates are open and how soon an airplane will be moving for takeoff or loading. 1

2 We were in for an even better, more spectacular view with a visit to the JFK Airport Tower. Enroute to the tower, we had to be escorted and cleared through almost 10 security check points. The trip gave a greater appreciation for the security that the TSA administration provides at the airports of our country. JFK airport is the landing site of many international airlines, but the security is so strict that there is absolutely no access between international passengers and domestic passengers. After walking what seemed like miles, we were taken to the Observation Deck at JFK international airport. The tower is 175 feet above the ground and gives a view of every runway and terminal at JFK. The tower is so high that you can see the skyscrapers in upper and lower Manhattan and almost all of the boroughs in New York City. We watched take offs and landings of the largest passenger airplanes in the world: The A-380 (double decker) Airbus which can carry over 500 passengers and the Boeing 747 s which carry over 450 passengers. Our guide also pointed out the airplanes going into LaGuardia Airport approximately 10 miles away and Tetersboro airport in New Jersey, 20 miles away. After our tour of the tower, we were treated to lunch and delicious brownies made by the JetBlue Food Service group. Following lunch, several speakers talked about their employment opportunities and schedules at JetBlue, the mentorships and inspiration to achieve success fostered by the leadership of the company, and humorous stories about customer service that comes with being in a service industry. The crowning exposure of the trip was an opportunity to tour an airplane, sit is the pilots seats and get an explanation of the equipment that makes flying so easy. Each of the students got to ask questions about the avionics and look out the cockpit windows for a feel of what it s like to sit in the pilot s position. Our return flight was just as smooth as our departure with the added benefit of watching sunset from a vantage point of 20,000 feet in the air. What a great day! What a fantastic trip! Great Job JetBlue and AeroClub!!!!!!! 2

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