Aircraft Handling and Flying Techniques
Learning Outcome 1
Reference: AP3456 Vol 5, Pt 1, Sec 1
LO1 Know about aircraft maintenance and ground handling
techniques
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft maintenance
P2 - Describe what is meant by aircraft modifications
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
P4 - Identify hazards and risks when ground handling aircraft
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft
maintenance
RAF Maintenance Policy
- A balance of preventative and corrective maintenance
Objectives
- Operational Objectives
- Maintenance Objectives
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft maintenance
Operational Objectives
- Generate aircraft and equipment to:
- Counter a surprise attack
- Meet NATO and national commitments
- Support intensive flying operations in hostile/NBC
environments
- Satisfy contingency plans
- Provide serviceable aircraft and equipment to meet
peacetime needs
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft maintenance
Maintenance Objectives
- Minimize faults
- Minimize the manpower and resources required
- Identify methods for improving reliability and
maintainability
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft maintenance
Maintenance Types
- Preventative
Servicing
Reduces probability of failure
Checks required after use and before
the aircraft’s next use.
Scheduled maintenance
Checks carried out at a predetermined time interval (1mth, 3 mths,
or a set number of flying hours) to keep
the aircraft in good overall condition.
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft maintenance
Out of Phase maintenance
Items of aircraft equipment which have
a set life in days, months or flying hours
Condition-based maintenance
Some aircraft parts are continuously
monitored and only changed when a fault
is found. Checking can be by
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) or
analysing oil samples for metal debris.
P1 - Outline the reasons and objectives for aircraft maintenance
- Corrective
After a fault has occurred
- Contingency
In the transition to war servicing may
need to be managed differently and
schedules may have to be extended to
meet operational requirements.
P2 - Describe what is meant by aircraft modifications
Modifications of an aircraft are carried out various reasons:
- To enhance operational capability
- To improve reliability
- To reduce servicing costs
Modifications are an integral part of maintenance policy
and must be authorised by Command Engineering Staff
and must be closely monitored to:
- Control costs
- Minimise aircraft downtime
- Ensure the aircraft safety is not compromised by
unauthorised modifications or incorrect work.
- Ensure modified parts are available when the
modification is embodied on the aircraft.
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Seeing In/Off
Aircraft are seen in/off by a handling team of usually two
tradesmen.
Handling Team Responsibilities:
- Marshalling
- Inserting/removing chocks
- Attaching/removing ground power
- Positioning and manning fire extinguishers
- Positioning steps
- Fitting/removing safety devices, covers and blanks
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Assists the pilot in the safe manoeuvring of aircraft on the
ground
Signals are standard throughout the RAF iaw STANAG 3117
(Standard NATO Agreement)
These signals were originally designed for small aircraft, but as
Large aircraft cockpits can be anything from 3m to 10m from
the ground signals nowadays must be more exaggerated and
Mostly done above shoulder level to ensure visibility.
Pilot is always responsible for the safety of the aircraft
- If the pilot thinks the directions of the marshaller are unsafe
he is not required to follow marshalling instructions.
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
This Way
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
This Way
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Move ahead
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Move ahead
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Turn Left
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Turn Left
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Turn Right
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Turn Right
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Proceed to Next Marshaller
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Proceed to Next Marshaller
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Stop
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Stop
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Brakes
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Insert Chocks
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Insert Chocks
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Remove Chocks
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Insert Ground Power
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Disconnect Ground Power
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Fire
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Start Engines
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Hot Brakes
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling Signals
Cut Engines
Marshalling
On leaving the runway
the pilot follows the taxiway
to the designated parking
area.
ATC will give a taxi route,
identified by letters
and a parking bay, identified
by a number.
Marshalling
If the airfield is large and has a complicated taxi system
a follow me vehicle will guide the aircraft to the parking
bay.
Marshalling
As the aircraft approaches
the ramp area the
marshaller will hold his arms
straight up to identify himself
to the pilot.
The pilot will then follow
the marshallers instructions
as long as it is safe to do so.
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling (continued)
By day
- The marshaller should make the aircraft follow the lines
painted on the ground to the parking spot.
- The marshaller should be positioned just forward of where
the nosewheel is to end up far enough that the pilot will not
lose sight of him as he approaches the spot.
- If obstructions exist two extra personnel may be required to
clear the wingtips (most likely with larger aircraft)
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Marshalling (continued)
By night
- Marshallers usually use lighted wands
- Aircraft navigation and taxi lights should be on
- If pilot loses sight of marshaller, aircraft should be
stopped
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Fuel
Main types:
AVGAS - Aviation Gasoline (piston engine aircraft)
AVTUR - Aviation Turbine (gas-turbine engines)
AVTAG – Aviation Widecut Gasoline, Freezing point
lower than AVTUR
- Emergency military use only because of it’s
volatility.
AVCAT - Higher flashpoint than AVTUR therefore safer
but costs more
- Mostly used on aircraft carriers.
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Fuel
Delivery methods:
Bowsers – most common
Hydrants – Mainly civilian and large military airfields
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Fuel
Pillow Tanks – may be used when operating
from a temporary base
P3 - Outline ground handling techniques
Fuel
Open line refuelling (same as a car) is slow and because
of the fumes is more dangerous and susceptible to fire.
Pressure refuelling from a bowser or hydrant is safer and
quicker.
To prevent condensation from forming in fuel tanks,
aircraft are normally refuelled after landing.
This can only be done if the fuel load for the next flight
is known and with large aircraft the final fuel load may
not be known until the crew flight plan 2 hours before
take-off.
P4 - Identify hazards and risks when ground handling
aircraft
Danger Zones
Areas of high risk of injury to personnel when aircraft are
operated on the ground
- Engine intakes/exhausts
- Propellers
- Helicopter rotors (including tail rotor)
- Control surfaces and airbrakes
Propellers should always be considered as ‘live’
Helicopter rotors in windy conditions could experience ‘blade
sailing’ – may bring rotor tips close to the ground.
P4 - Identify hazards and risks when ground
handling aircraft
Wheel and brake fires
Danger of explosion – The alloy metal wheel may disintegrate
due to excessive heat.
Only approach a hot wheel from the front or back, never from
the side. Stay away from the axle line (3-9 o’clock)
When using a fire extinguisher on a brake fire, only use dry
powder extinguishers and fire the agent at the ground 0.3m
away from the wheel.
Some fire sections have infra-red guns which can tell what
temperature the wheel is.
Also large modern aircraft have brake temperature gauges
fitted on the flight deck.
P4 - Identify hazards and risks when ground
handling aircraft
Precautions whilst refuelling
- Adequate fire cover required
- Aircraft bonded and earthed to reduce static sparks
- All personnel on the aircraft parking area must wear rubbersoled shoes.
- No naked lights
- No R/T transmissions
- Refuelling vehicles positioned pointing away from the aircraft
so they can be quickly moved in the event of a fire