Carrying out aircraft handling operations
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out aircraft handling operations on commercial, military or light aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the handling activities to be carried out, and to check that they are in safe and serviceable condition. You will be required to assist in manoeuvring the aircraft to the appropriate location, and to prepare the aircraft for flight operations or post-flight recovery. The handling activities will involve assisting in aircraft towing, preparation for flight, starter crew, aircraft marshalling, recovery from flight, marshalling and parking.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the activities undertaken, and to report any problems that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision and as part of a team, communicating using hand signals and other communication devices. You must demonstrate a significant personal contribution during the team activities, in order to satisfy the requirements of this standard, and competency in all the areas required by the standard must be demonstrated. You will be expected to take personal responsibility for your own actions, your contribution to the team, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work and will provide an informed approach to applying aircraft handling techniques and procedures. You will have an understanding of the preparations to be carried out on the aircraft, prior to moving it, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities safely and correctly.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the aircraft handling operations. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
P2 prepare the aircraft and work area for the handling operations to be undertaken
P3 carry out the operations within the limits of your personal authority
P4 carry out the operations in the specified sequence and in an agreed timescale
P5 report any instances where the handling operations cannot be fully met or where defects are identified
P6 ensure the aircraft and work area are left in a safe and secure condition on completion of the handling operations
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
K2 the authorisation you require to commence work on the aircraft
K3 the specified parking position and aircraft direction required
K4 the authorised route that the aircraft must be marshalled and towed safely
K5 the hazards associated with towing, marshalling, parking, securing the aircraft (including airfield hazards and procedures), and how they can be minimised
K6 the hazards associated with engine start and running, and how they can be minimised
K7 the importance of aircraft husbandry and of ensuring that, throughout the activity, the aircraft and area are free from foreign objects (FOD)
K8 the importance of wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and of keeping the work area clean and tidy
K9 ground operating procedures used during aircraft handling, and the importance of following the procedures listed in these documents
K10 the process and procedures for preparing an aircraft for flight operations (including engine start and see off/departure)
K11 the process and procedures for overseeing an aircraft return from flight operations (see in/arrival, pushback/departure)
K12 the standard signals used when marshalling and handling aircraft
K13 the importance of correct electrical bonding/earthing specifications
K14 the quality standards that you must work to during the activities
K15 the issues that can occur with the aircraft handling activities, and how these can be overcome
K16 the importance of correct securing of the aircraft, and of fitting blanks, bungs and locking/safety devices
K17 the importance of tool control, and company tool control procedures
K18 the methods and equipment used to manoeuvre aircraft, and how to check that the equipment is in a usable condition
K19 the tools and equipment used in the aircraft handling activities, and any calibration/care and control procedures
K20 how to deal with problems with the aircraft handling process or procedures, and the importance of informing appropriate people of defects
K21 the extent of your own responsibility, and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
- Carry out all of the following during the aircraft handling operations:
- ensure that appropriate authorisation to carry out the work is obtained
- check that the work area is free from hazards and suitably prepared for the handling activities to be undertaken
- ensure that any required safety procedures are implemented
- obtain appropriate personal protection equipment and emergency equipment, and check that it is in a usable condition
- obtain any support equipment required, and check that it is in a safe and useable condition
- return all tools and equipment to the correct storage location
- leave the work area and the aircraft in a safe condition
- Prepare the aircraft for towing, by carrying out four of the following:
- ensure the aircraft is in safe condition to move, by checking aircraft documentation
- check/set the required brake pressure
- make cockpit checks and apply internal power, as required
- check/fit required safety locks/pins
- check/remove electrical bonding/earthing (where appropriate)
- During aircraft towing, carry out the following:
- Complete aircraft moves, including two of the following:
- hangar to flight line/deck
- parking bay to parking bay
- to/from hardened aircraft shelter operations
- flight line to hangar/deck
- to test/inspection area
- Complete aircraft moves, including two of the following:
- Plus undertake three roles from the following:
- brake person
- wing tip person
- tractor/steering operator
- blade person
- tail safety person
- towing supervisor
- safety chock person
- Assist in carrying out all of the following during the preparation for flight operations:
- remove all blanks, bungs and locking/safety devices
- correctly store locking/safety devices
- carry out cockpit checks and apply ground power
- carry out engine starter crew activities (using headset operations and/or hand signals)
- carry out pre-flight checks
- marshalling
- Carry out all of the following during recovery from flight operations:
- marshalling
- parking of aircraft, to include chocking and where appropriate bonding/earthing
- fitting blanks, bungs and locking/safety devices
- Carry out aircraft handling operations which comply with one of the following standards:
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)/European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- Military Aviation Authority (MAA)
- Aerospace Quality Management Standards (AS)
- customer standards and requirements
- Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
- organisational standards and procedures
- BS, ISO or BSEN standards and procedures
- manufacturers standards and procedures