P-2019, O-2015
Ground Operations and Safety
Preflight
Emergency Egress
Flight Line
Minnesota Wing Aircrew Training:
Tasks O-2015, P-2019
P-2019, O-2015
Safety — Three Rules



NEVER sacrifice safety to save time
Use established procedures and checklists
You may have to deviate from common
procedures — if you do, use common sense
and prudent judgment. (See rule 1)
P-2019, O-2015
Aircraft Pre-flight
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
WALK
AROUND
WINGS
FUSELAGE
PROPELLER
CONTROLS
LIGHTS
TIRES
OIL
FUEL
COWLING
TIE DOWNS
CHOCKS
P-2019, O-2015
What was missed on pre-flight?
P-2019, O-2015
Aircraft Pre-flight

A safety check of the aircraft’s condition for flight
–
–
–

Pre-flight is the pilot’s responsibility
Should be performed with a checklist
Pilot may request assistance of scanner or observer
The walk around portion is an inspection of structural
components, equipment, and other essentials such as:
–
–
–

Fuel and oil
Landing, taxi, navigation, and anti-collision lights
Tires and brakes
Additional pre-flight tasks (such as run up, radio
checks, etc.) occur after the crew is buckled in.
P-2019, O-2015
Flightline Operations
P-2019, O-2015
Flight Line Purpose

Safety
–
–
–

Traffic (and pedestrian) control
Manage congested areas
Fire watch
Logistic assistance
–
–
–
Fuel
Ropes
Etc.
P-2019, O-2015
Aircraft Refueling Procedures
FUEL CAPS
GROUND WIRE
CHOCKS
FUEL SUMP DRAINS
P-2019, O-2015
Flight Line Operations Safety







No Smoking
Keep the area clean
Use proper surfaces
Never push or pull on propeller
to move A/C
Hats off on flight line
Approach aircraft from the rear
when possible
– If aircraft is facing you, walk
out by wing tip then walk
behind strut to the door
Seat belts and shoulder
harnesses (<1,000’) including
when moving on the ground
P-2019, O-2015
Flight Line Operations — Taxi



Fire bottle (extinguisher) is required for engine
start
Only a CAP pilot or FAA-certified mechanic can
start, taxi, or otherwise operate CAP aircraft in
ground operations
In congested areas — ensure wing tips are
clear
–
–
–
Other aircraft
Objects on the airport
If in doubt, get a wing walker
P-2019, O-2015
Safety During Ramp Movements

Taxiing – all crewmembers looking for
obstacles
–
–
–

Obstacle within six feet – get out and push
Obstacle within 6 to 10 feet – get a marshaller or
“wing walker”
No unnecessary talk (sterile cockpit)
Obey flightline hand signals
–
But use common sense – many linemen are
inexperienced
P-2019, O-2015
SIGNALMAN’S POSITION
P-2019, O-2015
Flight line hand signals
Outward
motion with
thumbs
PULL CHOCKS
Inward motion
with thumbs
INSERT CHOCKS
Circle with hand
START ENGINE
Hands out
making a pulling
motion
COME AHEAD
P-2019, O-2015
Flight line hand signals
Motion forward,
pointing left
TURN LEFT
Motion forward,
pointing right
TURN RIGHT
Thumbs up
ALL CLEAR O.K.
Downward motion
with palms
SLOW DOWN
P-2019, O-2015
Flight line hand signals
Hands crossed
above head
STOP
Crossing hands
over head
EMERGENCY
STOP
Slash throat
with finger
CUT ENGINE
P-2019, O-2015
Safety during Taxiing

Taxiing – all crewmembers assist the pilot
–
–

Prevent collisions with other aircraft and vehicles
Help the pilot find and stay on the taxiway (bad
weather, low visibility, night on an unlighted airport)
Be familiar with airport signs and markings
–
Runway markings are white and taxiway markings
are yellow
P-2019, O-2015
Airport Signs and Markings
Follow the yellow lines
Stay behind the
dashed lines
Need ATC permission
to cross the solid lines
P-2019, O-2015
Airport Signs and Markings
Mandatory signs have a red background with a white inscription
May have a row of red stop bar lights embedded in the pavement.
When illuminated, do not cross (even if given permission by ATC)
Location boundary signs have a yellow background with a black inscription
Visible from the runway
Visual clues to determine when you’re clear of the runway
P-2019, O-2015
Airport Signs and Markings
Location signs have a black background with a yellow inscription
Direction signs have a yellow background with a black inscription
P-2019, O-2015
Airport-related ATC Clearances
m
Be familiar with ATC ground clearances that
involve the airport signs and markings
• Back up the pilot when taxiing
m
m
Controllers are required to get acknowledgement
of all “hold short” instructions
Pilot/Observer should read back all clearances
• “Cleared to taxi” or “Taxi” (implied clearance)
• “Cleared for takeoff runway 22”
P-2019, O-2015
Airport-related ATC Clearances
m
Meaning of clearances:
• “Taxi to …” Cleared to taxi to any point other
than assigned takeoff runway. Cleared to cross
all runways that intersect the taxi route. Does
not authorize taxiing onto or crossing assigned
runway.
• “Taxi to … hold short of …” Cleared to taxi, but
enroute to taxi clearance limit must hold short
of another taxiway or crossing runway.
P-2019, O-2015
Airport-related ATC Clearances
m
Meaning of clearances:
• “Cross runway …” Cleared to cross the runway
crossing your taxi route and continue to taxi
clearance limit.
• “Hold short …” Do not enter or cross the
taxiway or runway specified by the controller.
If there is a painted hold line, do not cross it.
• “Report position” Identify your location on the
airport.
P-2019, O-2015
Egress
P-2019, O-2015
Emergency Egress
P-2019, O-2015
Normal Egress - Scanner Position
(left rear)
 Engine is off, propeller stopped
 Front seat crewmember typically open the door
 Check to make sure you have everything
necessary for debrief
 Mission Pilot may pull seat forward while seated to
allow scanner to egress
 Remove headset, Unfasten seat belt, and step
onto step on left landing gear strut, then onto
ground
 Be observant for other aircraft, propellers (turning
and stopped), flaps and ailerons (forehead height)
P-2019, O-2015
Normal Egress - Observer Position
(Forward Right)




Check to make sure nothing will blow out the door
when opened and that you have everything
necessary for debrief
Open the door only after the engine is off and the
propeller stopped. Pull up on armrest handle to
open the door
Remove headset
You may wish to pull seat forward while seated to
allow scanner to egress (if 4 crewmembers)
–
This will allow you to push the seat all the way back for
easier egress
P-2019, O-2015
Normal Egress - Observer Position
(Forward Right) Continued
 Push the seat back:
–


In Cessnas, this requires you to reach down to the left
and hold a small lever, while squeezing a bar under the
front of the seat
Unfasten seat belt, and step onto step on right
landing gear strut, then onto ground
Be observant for other aircraft, propellers (turning
and stopped), flaps and ailerons (forehead height)
P-2019, O-2015
Normal Egress - Mission Pilot
Position (Forward Left)




Complete engine shutdown checklist
Check to make sure nothing will blow out the door
when opened and that you have everything
necessary for debrief
Don’t forget to remove your headset!
Egress the same as for Observer, except from left
door
P-2019, O-2015
Variation in Egress



Member owner non-Cessna aircraft will require
modified egress methods
Many aircraft are low wing and may only have a
single door on the left side
All crewmembers should be briefed prior to
takeoff on how to open the door and egress the
aircraft
P-2019, O-2015
Emergency Egress


May be due to fire, smoke or other condition that
requires immediate egress
Mission Pilot is the crew commander - do not exit
the airplane before he tells you to do so
–
–
Pilots: whenever possible you should brief you crew on
what you want them to do and how you will signal them
to do it beforehand
Front seat crewmembers should state if they will be
pulling the seat up for the rear seat crewmembers to
leave first or not
P-2019, O-2015
Emergency Egress (continued)

When given the egress order, egress the aircraft
by normal methods, but as quickly as possible
–



Leave debrief materials and other equipment in the
aircraft
Don’t forget to remove your headset!
Once clear of the door proceed to an area well
away and aft of the aircraft
Meet up with all of the crew to ensure everyone is
safe
P-2019, O-2015
Crash Egress

Normal egress routes may be blocked
–

Prior to impact door locks should be opened so
that the door is ajar
–

A wing may be collapsed, door jammed, or the aircraft
may be rolled over on its side or even inverted
During a crash landing, the fuselage may be deformed,
having the door ajar prevents the door from being
permanently locked barring egress
On land, once the aircraft has stopped, egress by
the fastest route possible
–
Be aware of dangers such as loose headset wires,
sharp metal, spilled fuel, etc.
P-2019, O-2015
Crash Egress (continued)



If doors are blocked, windows or baggage doors
may be kicked out
Once clear of the door proceed to an area well
away from of the aircraft
In a water ditching, stay belted in until a door or
other egress route is open
–

Unbelting early will disorient you, possibly trapping you
in the aircraft
Meet up with all of the crew to ensure everyone is
safe