AIRCRAFT GROUND HANDLING ARMY

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Aircraft Ground Handling
Task Force Mountain Eagle
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Outline
• Minimum / Basic Requirements
• Warnings / Cautions / Considerations
• Pre-Brief prior to movement
• Towing
• Parking
• Summary
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Minimum / Basic Requirements
• Different for each aircraft. Check appropriate
Technical Manual (TM)
– UH-60: 1-1520-237-23-1
– AH-64: 1-1520-238-23-1
– CH-47: 1-1520-240-23-1
– OH-58: 1-1520-248-23-1
• Unit SOPs should further define procedures and
practices.
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Warnings / Cautions / Considerations
• Electrical power removed for 20 min prior to movement
(prevent damage to gyros)
• Remove grounding cables / tie downs
• Ensure tow bar is in place and hooked to vehicle prior to
removing chocks/brakes
• Tow bar attached properly
• Tail wheel lock pin disengaged
• All doors / cowlings closed and secure
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Warnings / Cautions / Considerations cont.
• Chocks / drip pans removed
• Gust lock out
• Tie downs / ropes used to swing blades
• Stabilator raised
• Check brakes at beginning of movement
• Hangar doors opened all the way and/or area clear of
obstacles
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Movement Pre-Brief
• Who is in charge
• Ample # of personnel available and are trained (tug,
brakes, wing walkers, etc.)
• Where the aircraft will go
• Signals that will be used (hand, voice, etc.)
• Anyone can call STOP
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Ground Handling
• Tow on level surface (if possible)
• Do not exceed 5 MPH or as fast as the slowest handler
• Do not make sudden starts and stops
• Wing walkers remain at least 10 feet from aircraft
• Do not jump in/out of moving aircraft
• Remain clear of the wheels
• Use taxi lines
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Parking
• Set brakes
• Chocks in
• Engage tail wheel lock pin
• Remove tow bar
• Ground (inside or sheltered)
• Drip pans (inside or sheltered)
• Gust lock (if necessary)
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Summary
• Personnel should be trained
• Reference appropriate TM and SOP
• Pre-Brief prior to movement
• It isn’t just a “simple move”
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Questions?
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