AIRPORT EMPLOYEE Aircraft Marshalling and Ramp Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of wheel chocks on the aircraft ramp?
- To indicate the aircraft's parking position
- To prevent the aircraft from rolling while parked (Correct answer)
- To protect the aircraft tires from weather damage
- To align the aircraft nose with the jetbridge
Correct answer: To prevent the aircraft from rolling while parked
Wheel chocks are placed against the aircraft's tires to prevent it from moving unintentionally while parked on the ramp.
Wheel chocks are wedge-shaped blocks made of rubber, plastic, or aluminum that are placed firmly against the tires of a parked aircraft to prevent rolling. They are required by safety regulations whenever an aircraft is parked and the engines are shut down. Chocks must be placed before ground power is connected, before the parking brake is released for any purpose, and must remain in place until the aircraft is ready for pushback. The ground crew leader is responsible for confirming chocks are in place before any work begins.
Question 2: A ramp worker notices hydraulic fluid leaking from underneath an aircraft. What is the immediate correct action?
- Clean up the fluid immediately and resume loading
- Report the leak to maintenance and stop all aircraft handling activities (Correct answer)
- Mark the area with a cone and continue work around it
- Place absorbent pads over the leak and inform the captain after loading
Correct answer: Report the leak to maintenance and stop all aircraft handling activities
Any fluid leak from an aircraft must be reported to maintenance immediately and all ramp handling stopped until maintenance clears the aircraft.
Hydraulic fluid leaks represent a potential airworthiness issue and fire hazard. When ramp workers discover any unusual fluid beneath an aircraft, they must immediately report it to the aircraft maintenance team and ground supervisor, and halt all loading, fueling, and towing operations until the source is identified and an airworthiness determination is made by a certified mechanic. Attempting to clean up or work around the leak without maintenance involvement violates safety procedures and could mask a serious mechanical defect.
Question 3: What does the marshalling signal of raising both arms overhead with palms facing inward, then spreading arms outward mean?
- All clear to taxi
- Proceed straight ahead
- Stop — do not proceed further (Correct answer)
- Wing clearance to both sides is adequate
Correct answer: Stop — do not proceed further
Both arms raised and then crossed above the head is the ICAO 'Stop' signal, instructing the pilot to halt immediately.
The ICAO standard 'Stop' signal requires the marshaller to raise both arms with wands or paddles and cross them above the head. This clearly and visibly instructs the pilot to stop the aircraft immediately. The signal must be given with authority and repeated until the aircraft comes to a complete stop. Marshallers should always have an escape route planned and should not stand directly in the path of an approaching aircraft. The stop signal is one of the most critical signals in aircraft marshalling.
Question 4: Why is wearing loose clothing or lanyards prohibited on the aircraft ramp near running engines?
- It does not project a professional image for the airline
- Loose items can be ingested by engine intakes or caught in aircraft components, causing injury (Correct answer)
- It violates ICAO uniform standards
- Lanyards interfere with radio communication equipment
Correct answer: Loose items can be ingested by engine intakes or caught in aircraft components, causing injury
Loose clothing, lanyards, and unsecured items near running engines risk ingestion by engine intakes or entanglement in aircraft components, potentially causing fatal injuries.
Jet engines create powerful intake suction that can draw in loose materials from a significant distance. Lanyards, scarves, ties, unbuttoned jackets, hair, and other loose items present a serious FOD and personal injury risk. All ramp personnel must ensure their personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing are secured before approaching any running aircraft. This is typically enforced in the Ground Operations Manual and covered during initial ramp safety training. Violating this requirement can result in removal from ramp duties.
Question 5: What is the role of 'wing walkers' during aircraft pushback or towing operations?
- To inspect the wings for ice before departure
- To walk alongside the wingtips to monitor ground clearance and alert the tug driver to obstacles (Correct answer)
- To refuel the aircraft during taxi-out
- To communicate with ATC on behalf of the ground crew
Correct answer: To walk alongside the wingtips to monitor ground clearance and alert the tug driver to obstacles
Wing walkers position themselves at each wingtip during towing to observe ground clearances and signal the tug driver to stop if obstacles are encountered.
During pushback and towing operations, wing walkers are positioned at each wingtip of the aircraft. Their responsibility is to monitor the clearance between the wingtips and any fixed structures, vehicles, or other aircraft as the aircraft moves. They maintain visual contact with the tug driver and use hand signals to communicate. If a wing walker detects a potential collision risk, they immediately signal the tug driver to stop. The number and positioning of wing walkers required depends on the aircraft size and the airport's specific ramp layout.
Question 6: Which document must ramp workers follow when performing aircraft handling tasks such as connecting ground power or positioning jet bridges?
- The passenger manifest
- The airline's Ground Operations Manual (GOM) (Correct answer)
- The Air Traffic Control log
- The aircraft maintenance log only
Correct answer: The airline's Ground Operations Manual (GOM)
The Ground Operations Manual (GOM) specifies all procedures for ramp handling tasks and is the authoritative reference for safe ground operations.
The Ground Operations Manual (GOM), also sometimes called the Ground Handling Manual or Ramp Operations Manual, is the definitive procedural reference for all ramp activities. It specifies correct procedures for connecting and disconnecting ground power units, positioning jet bridges and passenger stairs, conducting safety checks, fueling procedures, de-icing, cargo loading, and emergency responses. Ramp workers are required to be trained on and comply with the GOM at all times. Deviations from GOM procedures require supervisor authorization.
AIRPORT EMPLOYEE Aircraft Marshalling and Ramp Safety 2
What is the purpose of wheel chocks on the aircraft ramp?