8.2 GROUND HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS - Quiz

Ground Handling Instructions - Fueling Procedures

• Fueling responsibility ultimately rests with the Commander, although maintenance personnel may assist.
• Additional crew members may be involved during refueling. Precautionary measures depend on commander's preference if present.
• Approved fuel types for AEROTRANSCARGO airplanes are Jet A, Jet A-1 (ASTM D 1655), JP-4 (MIL-DTL-5624), Jet B (ASTM D 6615), JP-5 (MIL-DTL-5624), and JP-8 (MIL-DTL-83133).
• Use of JP-4 and Jet B is restricted in revenue operations.
• Other fuels meeting the requirements of the specified fuels are acceptable.
• Refer to AEROTRANSCARGO GOM ch.6 for detailed fueling information.

Authorized Refuelers

• Only AEROTRANSCARGO ground engineers, authorized third-party ground engineers, line maintenance approval holders, or designated flight crew members can supervise fueling operations.

Basic Precautions

• Engine ignition system(s) must be OFF.
• Weather radar must be OFF.
• Aircraft strobe lights must be OFF.
• Aircraft HF transmissions are forbidden.
• Smoking and open flames are forbidden.
• Aircraft parking brakes must be set or wheel chocks must be in position.
• Fuel hoses must be positioned to the fuel inlets using the shortest route; maintain a safe distance from wheel brakes and APU inlets/outlets.
• Establish bonding connections between fuel truck and aircraft before attaching to discharge static electricity.
• Keep vehicles, except the fuel truck, away from venting areas.
• Fueling/defueling is prohibited during thunderstorms.
• For overwing fueling, ensure ground and/or aircraft auxiliary power units are connected and switched on before commencement and remain on until the procedure is terminated. No other electrical switch can be operated unless necessary for fuelling.

Fuel Uplift Check (Gross Error Check)

• Fuel uplift must be within 5% of calculated uplift, with a maximum amount of 2,000 kg (4,400 lbs) for uplift more than calculated and 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) for uplift less than calculated.
• Investigate any discrepancy outside these tolerances prior to departure and note on the ATL.

Fuelling Zone

• Establish a fueling zone extending 3 meters radially from the aircraft's tank filling or venting points and fueling equipment.
• Limit personnel and vehicles within the zone.
• Operational staff are prohibited from entering the fueling zone.
• No matches, lighters, hand warmers, exposed iron/steel footwear should be permitted.
• Radios, phones etc. use is restricted to operational necessity.

Maintenance Activities During Fuelling

• Limit maintenance activities to those essential tasks that do not pose a hazard.
• Radio, radar and electrical equipment maintenance work is permitted, but only checking and limited maintenance work is permitted.
• Do not operate or test any aircraft switches, oxygen systems or aircraft engines in the vicinity of a fueling operation.
• Do not restart the APU within the fueling zone, unless required for fueling, and if on fire, ensure extinguishing system is activated and inform flight crew and aerodrome fire services.

Refueling with Operational Staff on Board

• At least two aircraft doors must be available as evacuation points.
• The pilot, loadmaster and authorized refueller must be at their designated stations.
• The area beneath the nominated doors and slide deployment areas must be kept clear.
• A designated member should escort operational staff away from the refueling zone.
• Notify flight crew or the authorized refueller promptly of any incidents requiring rapid evacuation.
• Do not fuel with wide-cut or mixed fuels while operational staff are present.

Aircraft Ground Operations

• Taxi operations are to be conducted by qualified flight crew members only.
• Pushback and towing operations should be done per aviation standards and procedures.

Operation Of Aircraft Doors

• Open/close doors are specified in OM-B (FCOM Vol 1 and 2).
• Doors should not be opened until all engines are shut down and brakes/chocks are engaged.
• Doors should be closed before starting engines.
• Only trained ground service or maintenance personnel or flight crew should open/close doors.

Ramp Safety

• A marshal must guide vehicles.
• Ensure that ground staff can access the area surrounding and near the airplane.
• Ensure there is enough clearance between the aircraft and buildings, other aircraft and other ground support equipment.
• Ground staff must remain alert to hazards.
• Keep ground support equipment clear of the airplane's extremities.
• Securely position ground support equipment so that inadvertent movement will not endanger the airplane.
• Ensure the main exit of the aircraft is kept clear.

Communication Procedures

• Use clear English and standard phraseology in all communications.
• Use headset mouthpieces firmly when speaking.
• Repeat instructions if they are unclear.
• Avoid use of headsets during thunderstorms. Communicate with hand signals if no headset is available.
• "BRAKES SET" and "BRAKES RELEASED" must be confirmed when appropriate and ensure chocks are holding the aircraft.

Aircraft Parking Procedure

• Install chocks both forward and aft of the main landing gear wheels.
• Inform crew: "CHOCKS INSTALLED".
• Receive crew acknowledgement of "BRAKES RELEASED".
• Confirm with crew "CHOCKS HOLDING" when appropriate.

Aircraft Departure

• Ensure all required documents are signed, copied, and retained by ground crew.
• A ground crew member should close and latch the door.
• Crew must verify door is closed.
• Ground personnel clear of the aircraft before departing.
• Communicate with pilot using "STOP! APPLY BRAKES (TOWBAR DISCONNECTED)" if the towbar is disconnected.

Cargo Handling Procedures

• Only authorized and trained personnel are permitted to load/unload cargo.
• This includes confirming loading feasibility, confirming cargo dimensions, validating weight and balance and issuing necessary documents.
• Personnel responsible must verify and document all operations.

Carriage of Live Animals

• Adhere to international regulations during all animal transportation operations
• Restrictions and specific regulations concerning endangered species, animals giving birth within 48hrs, animals with more than 90% expected gestation period, infected animals and humane killing are prohibited.

Occurrence in Flight

• Inform AEROTRANSCARGO and AEROTRANSCARGO - Operation Control Centre immediately if unforeseen incidents or emergency situations affecting live animals occur in flight. Include any needed assistance (vet, etc).

Animal Attendant Policy

• A qualified animal attendant is required for animals needing in-flight care. Responsibilities include communicating with the flight crew, knowledge of animal behavior during transport, knowledge of pertinent aircraft safety equipment and documentation requirements.
• Attendants must be verified by AEROTRANSCARGO.

Transportation of Horses

• Ensure safety and comfort of horses during transport and appropriate numbers of attendants.

Aircraft Disinfection and Cleaning

• Appropriate cleaning and disinfection of the aircraft following animal carriage. If no spillage, only local cleaning is required
• Complete disinfection is required before/after any travel with animals..

Flight Delays and Diversions

• If a delay is more than one hour, close doors, and use APU for continued air conditioning. If the APU is inoperative, offload cargo as soon as practically possible.

Carriage of Temperature-Sensitive Cargo

• Ensure temperature integrity is maintained during transportation.
• Use appropriate procedures for storage and handling of temperature sensitive cargo.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

• Follow ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations when transporting dangerous goods.

Cargo Shoring

• Shoring is required if cargo exceeds area or linear load limitations.
• This work should be conducted so that the area load and linear load limitations are effectively met.

Area Load

• The load on an area greater than 0.5m2 (cargo compartments) or 1m2 (palletized loads) should meet the maximum area load limitation.

Running Load

• The load on any given 1m fuselage section should meet the maximum running load limitation.

Pyramid Shoring

• When loads are too heavy for conventional methods, pyramid shoring can enlarge the bearing length of the load.

Recommendations for Transport of AVI (Animals in Vehicle)

• Attendants may assist with animal handling but may not leave the cargo hold during taxi, takeoff and landing.
• Ensure that smoking is forbidden in the cargo area. Briefing on safety issues prior to departure is essential for attendants.

Critical Surface Inspection

• Conduct inspections.
• Report any contamination to the commander.
• Confirm Critical Surfaces are free from contamination before takeoff.
• Use appropriate procedure if not clean.

Special Maintenance Considerations

• Account must be taken of fluid residues from anti-icing/de-icing.
• Procedures must be in place to counteract any side effects.
• Regular removal or critical surface contamination is required..

Test your knowledge on ground operations procedures, including push-back protocols and communication responsibilities. This quiz covers essential safety measures, roles of personnel, and guidelines for transporting animals. Perfect for ground crew and aviation maintenance staff.