GROUND HANDLING QUICK GUIDE

Apron Handling

Light

planes

Parking during stops shorter than an hour– normal

wind conditions

Upon arrival

As soon as engines are stopped place chocks in front of and behind

nose gear and/or one of main gear wheel.

At departures

remove wheel chocks on the pilots command.

Parking during stops shorter than an hour– unfavorable

wind conditions

In case of high wind velocity and gusts it may be necessary to take

additional precautionary measures to prevent the aircraft from

sliding depending on what type of wheel chocks are used. Ballast

bags filled with sand will usually serve this purpose.

Tie downs are also important at this juncture

Parking during prolonged stops longer than 2

hours

The aircraft must be parked with the nose against the wind, if possible.

There must be ample space between the parked aircraft and the nearest runway or

taxi strip. Wheel chocks must be placed in front of and behind the main wheels.

• If the weather conditions are unfavorable, e.g. strong wind or slippery ground,

special precaution must

be taken.

• Make sure that the wheel chocks available serve the purpose, otherwise additional

precautions must

be taken to secure the aircraft properly. Ballast bags filled with sand can often be

successfully used if

the ground is slippery.

• Install covers, plugs and shields as determined by aircraft status and weather

conditions.

• Equipment, stairs and ladders must be removed to a safe distance from the aircraft.

Aircraft left idle overnight

Aircraft left idle overnight shall preferably be parked in an

illuminated area.

Aircraft left parked at unattended areas of an airport or at

unmanned airports shall be sealed according to the Security

Manual.

The final decision lies with the Commander/ pilot in charge.

The pilot in command badge

General precautions against fire

Smoking, use of open fire and any type of activity that can cause

sparks, are strictly forbidden near aircraft and in the fuelling area.

Ground equipment should - as a general rule - not be positioned or

operated near aircraft and in the fuelling area.

If, for specific reasons, electrical equipment, combustion engines

and burners

Ground Staff should acquaint themselves with the method and

operation of the equipment also with the local fire procedures.

Ground Personnel Safety

Precautions Ground support equipment, when drive or operated on the apron, particularly in the

vicinity of an aircraft, must be operated with extreme care to avoid any hazard to personnel and/or any damage to aircraft or load.

Only adequately trained, qualified / authorized personnel should be permitted to maneuver aircraft or operate equipment.

Equipment should never move across the path of taxiing aircraft or embarking/disembarking

Passengers, Aircraft and pedestrians should always have the right –or-way.

Apron equipment (where applicable) is to be positioned behind the equipment restraint line with the parking Brakes applied prior to the arrival of the aircraft at the parking position.

Aircraft being moved from one point to another should be driven not faster than a walking speed.

Equipment when approaching or leaving an aircraft should not be driven faster than walking speed.

Safety shoes or boots should be worn to prevent foot injuries.

Personnel working in noise-intensity areas, i.e. on the apron, maintenance lines. etc., shall wear approved hearing protection.

Clothing/Reflective jackets appropriate to the weather conditions should be made available to personnel

Continued …

Personnel should keep clear of aircraft engine intake/exhaust areas

In weather conditions aircraft doors should be closed and secured,

as appropriate

Ground support equipment should be moved away from the aircraft

vicinity and secured.

Vehicles MUST NOT be parked under the aircraft wing-trip fuel

vents.

The ground area beneath exit doors should be kept clear of any

obstructions.

Aircraft marshalling by ground

personnel

The Signalman is responsible for giving clear and correct signs to

the Commander. However, it is still the Commander who is

responsible for the safe maneuvering of the aircraft.

The Signalman shall use bats in daylight (as in the diagram above) and

illuminated wands in darkness.

Taxiing aircraft

The signal man communicating with oncoming

airplane

Marshalling Procedure

The Signalman is in continuous eye contact with the Commander

and shall give clear and distinct signals during the complete

arrival/departure procedure if necessary.

A recommendable rhythm is 60 arm movements per minute.

When marshalling has started, it shall continue until the aircraft has

come to a stop.

The Signalman shall stay in the same position until the chocks are

in place.

If the Commander does not receive clear and understandable

signals from the signalman he will STOP the aircraft.

In case the Commander does not follow the directions given by the

signalman, the signalman shall give "STOP" sign.

Start-up Procedure

Hand signals

Aircraft towing

Never tow the airplane while any of its engines are operating.

Never tow the airplane faster than a slow walk, avoid quick starts and

stops.

Never tow the airplane near obstacles without having someone walking at

each wing.

Never allow anyone to enter or leave the airplane while it is moving,

ensure that

all the doors are closed.

Never allow persons to stand in or near the path of the airplane.

Never remove the chocks until ready to tow the airplane.

Never tow the airplane if wind exceeds 30 knots.

Pull wheel chocks and keep them readily available for use.

Never tow without gear pins to be found behind Co-pilots seat.

Refueling and defueling

General

• The Commander will order the amount of fuel required for the flight.

Spilled fuel shall be removed or dried up immediately before flight

When fuelling is in progress, only persons associated with the

handling of the aircraft have admittance to the fuelling area.

Cleaning of aircraft interior

Aircraft cleaning must be finished and cleaning staff must have left

the aircraft before pilots and passengers are boarded.

If passengers remain on board during short transit stops (during

charter flights) , cabin cleaning must be performed in such a way

that the passengers are not disturbed.

The End

Prepared by Tranos Matezhure