Operate specialist ground equipment in an airport / airfield
URN: PPLAOG47
Business Sectors (Suites): Aviation Operations on the Ground
Developed by: People 1st
Approved on:
2021
Overview
This standard is about the safe operation of specialist ground equipment used within an airport / airfield environment. This involves selecting and checking the specialist ground equipment prior to use, using the equipment safely and shutting down and securing the equipment as required by your organisation and the airport/airfield in which you work
This standard is for those who work airside in airports / airfields and operate specialist ground equipment as part of their role.
When you have completed this standard, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to:
This standard is for those who work airside in airports / airfields and operate specialist ground equipment as part of their role.
When you have completed this standard, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to:
• Operate specialist ground equipment in an airport/ airfield
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. Select the required specialist ground equipment to match the task in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
2. Provide evidence of your competency to operate the specialist equipment on request
3. Carry out a pre-use inspection to check the specialist ground equipment is serviceable according to your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
4. Confirm the specialist ground equipment is refuelled/recharged as required
5. Report and record identified specialist ground equipment issues in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
6. Operate the specialist ground equipment in line with the specific training for the equipment, organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
7. Manoeuvre the specialist ground equipment into position in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
8. Seek assistance from marshallers when manoeuvring the specialist ground equipment around any obstructions or near an aircraft, if required
9. When in position, operate the specialist ground equipment in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
10. Maintain your own, colleagues’, passengers’ and visitors’ health, safety and welfare when manoeuvring, operating and removing specialist ground equipment
11. Confirm the equipment is no longer required and it is safe to remove in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures
12. Manoeuvre the specialist ground equipment to the designated parking area provided
13. Shut it down and make it safe prior to leaving it in line with organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
14. Take the required action in the event of mechanical breakdown when manoeuvring, operating or removing specialist ground equipment according to organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- The types of specialist ground equipment available at your location, the tasks for which it is used and suitability for different types of aircraft
- The specialist ground equipment you are trained to use and can provide evidence of your competency to operate
- The types of issues which would make the specialist ground equipment unusable or unsafe to operate
- How to conduct pre-use inspections, check the specialist ground equipment is serviceable and confirm it has sufficient fuel/battery power for the task (if motorised equipment)
- Your organisation’s and the airport/airfield's procedures for reporting and recording specialist ground equipment issues
- The person/s in your organisation who have responsibility for ensuring specialist ground equipment is safe to operate
- Your organisation’s and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements for manoeuvring and operating specialist ground equipment and the importance of adhering to them at all times
- The types of potential consequences of not operating specialist ground equipment according to your training, organisational and airport/airfield procedures and relevant legal requirements
- When and how to seek assistance from marshallers
- The sequence and priority of access to the aircraft for equipment and service providers
- What to do in the event of mechanical breakdown when mahoeuvring, operating or removing specialist ground equipment
- The hazards and risks which are associated with the specialist ground equipment and the measures in place to safeguard these
- How to maintain your own, colleagues’, passengers’ and visitors’ health, safety and welfare when manoeuvring, operating and removing specialist ground equipment
- Your organisation’s and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements for removing, parking and shutting down the specialist ground equipment after use, and the importance of following them at all times
- How adverse weather may affect the safe operation and parking of specialist ground equipment and what additional measures you would take
Scope/range
Specialist equipment includes:
a) Tugs
b) Televators
c) Elevators
d) ULD
e) Pushback machine (MOTOK)
f) Baggage tugs / dollies
g) De-icing rigs
h) Catering truck
i) Ambulift
j) Aircraft steps
k) Jetties / Airbridge
Adverse weather includes:
Adverse weather includes:
a) Wind
b) Snow
c) Heat
d) Sun
e) Visibility
f) Ice
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Specialist Equipment
For the purpose of this standard `Specialist Ground Equipment' refers to:
“Motorised or non-motorised equipment or machinery, which is designed to carry out a specific task in a specific environment (Airport).”
“The operator of `Specialist Equipment' will have to undergo specific training relating to the equipment in order that they may be able to operate the equipment safely”.
Therefore driving a car, van or similar piece of transport for which you hold a DVLA Licence would not qualify as a piece of `Specialist Ground Equipment'
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
2
Indicative Review Date
2026
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
GoSkills
Original URN
GSKAOG47
Relevant Occupations
Transport Drivers and Operatives, Transport Operations and Maintenance
SOC Code
8233
Keywords
Specialist ground equipment, safety, hazards, operate, manoeuvring