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パイロット夫妻のカリフォルニア生活 Napa Couple Flying High
Napa Training Center
The Japan Airlines Flight Training Center has been in Napa since
1971 and we can’t live here without noticing how well they have
built a solid positive relationship with the neighbors in the valley.
We have learned in years that Napa locals are generally laid back
and tourist friendly and very warm-hearted people but can be pretty
judgmental with things that don’t meet their standard of quality.
And maybe, that can be why the valley makes some of the best wine
in the world. Still, every Napa resident we meet and have a chat
with at grocery stores, wine tasting rooms, coffee shops and pretty
much everywhere else, compliments how good a partner JAL has been
in the valley for many years. There was some time and we have heard
stories from co-workers when it wasn’t so comfortable for the Japan
Airlines in this valley. In the 70’s, there were still left over
feelings from world conflicts in the past and people had strong
opinions about politics. But after 30 plus years of constant hard
work and quality control in safety of flying, we are received with
respect and friendship in the valley. And we are very proud of being
a part of this team.
We fly in the Napa valley and beyond almost everyday with very dedicated Japan Airlines trainee pilots and they are required to have dedication to hard work, safety and teamwork of the training center. The flight training is done in series of flight simulators, single engine airplanes, called the Beech Bonanza and multi engine airplanes, called the Beech Baron. Bonanza and Baron are relatively complicated airplanes to be used for initial pilot training. Our job is to teach them skills not limited to how to fly in those airplanes, but also how to handle themselves in emergency situations, air traffic control communications, and the list goes on. Everyday is a working progress and we feel very proud to be a part of them grow up from non-pilots to professional pilots. After about two years of intense work, the trainees complete the program and return to Japan for further jet engine airplane training to be Airline pilots.
What they always mention before they leave is that they enjoyed flying in the Bay Area and will miss this beautiful weather and the view. We are overjoyed that we could give them the benefit of our experience and love of flying in the skies of California.
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