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

Reduces probability of failure

Servicing Checks required after use and before

use.

the aircrafts next

Scheduled maintenance
Checks carried out at a pre- determined 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 its
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 oclock)
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