WING WALKING

"Wing walker" is a member of an airport ground crew whose primary job function is to walk alongside
an aircraft's wing tip during towing or taxiing to ensure that the aircraft does not collide with any
objects on the ground. It is also a term used in decision making, to explain the principle of using what
works and being cautious; for example, "a wing walker does not move unless the new position is at
least as good as the old."
TOWING
An important factor in towing safety is tongue weight, the weight with which the trailer presses down
on the tow vehicle's hitch. Insufficient tongue weight can cause the trailer to sway back and forth when
towed. Too much tongue weight can cause problems with the tow vehicle

Objective and Content

The objective of this Training Program is to familiarize with airport operations and enhance the safety
of everyone. The training program presents the information necessary to safely operate a vehicle on
the airport movement area. Topics covered include:
1 Definition of Terms
2 Airport signs and markings
3 Driving practices

Definition of Terms
All airports with an operating airport traffic control tower (ATCT) consist of two basic areasa
movement area and a non-movement area.
Movement area: The movement area is controlled by the ATCT. Tower permission is required to enter
the movement area and all airplane, vehicle and pedestrian activities inside the movement area must be
approved by the tower. The Airport movement area, depicted at attachment one, consists of all
runways and taxiways except for portions of parking bays.
Non-movement area: In the non-movement area, airplanes, authorized vehicles and pedestrians are
free to move about without talking to tower. All aircraft ramps are located in the non-movement area.
Authorized Driver: An authorized driver has the airfield managers permission to drive in the
movement area. The airfield manager grants permission to drive in the movement area to individuals

who have completed this driver training program and have a need. The airfield manager
has predetermined that members of the groups listed below have a need to drive in the
movement area.
Hold Short: Hold short is an air traffic control term used to instruct an aircraft or vehicle
to stop at a hold line pavement marking. An aircraft or vehicle instructed to, Hold
short, is expected to stop such that no part of the aircraft or vehicle extends over any
part of the hold line. Drivers must acknowledge hold-short instructions. Hold lines and
signs are described below.

1 Always listen before you transmit; the controllers may already be talking to an
aircraft. Listening helps you build awareness of whats happening around you.
2
3 Never cut-in or transmit on top of another transmission.
4
5 Think about what you are going to say before keying the microphone button and be
brief. The general form of your transmission is to state who you are calling, who
you are, where you are, and what you are requesting.
A typical controller response might be, Take Flight Maintenance, hold short,
runway six at Delta. The controller will pronounce taxiway letters using standard
aviation phonetic pronunciation. Listen carefully; the controller may instruct you to use
a route you do not expect. Acknowledge an instruction by repeating it and restating
your identification, Hold short, runway six at Delta.
1 Repeating the instruction is called a read back. If your read back contains an error,
the controller has an opportunity to correct you before an unsafe situation occurs.
Restating your identification with the read back assures the controller that the right
person received and acknowledged the instruction.
2
3 CAUTION: Drivers MUST read back controller instructions to Hold short of
runway X at X, Cross runway X or Enter runway X, where X is a specific
runway or taxiway. A simple Roger or Wilco is not an acceptable response.
Until you correctly read back the instruction, the controller cannot allow you to
proceed.
Drivers should listen carefully to tower instructions and, if you miss part or all of an
instruction, just transmit the phrase, Say again. If you dont understand the instruction,
ask; dont guess! The controller might send you via an unexpected route or give you an
unexpected instruction. Proceed only when you are certain of your position and the
correct route. Guard against hearing what you expect to hear instead of what was actually
transmitted.

Driver Requirements to Operate in the Movement Area: Only authorized drivers that have
completed this driver training course and meet the equipment requirements listed below
may drive in the airport movement area.
1 A rotating or flashing yellow beacon on top of the vehicle
2 An airfield diagram with taxiways and runways clearly marked
3 A ground vehicle guide to airport signs, markings and light gun signals
4 A valid state drivers license (issued by any state)

SAFETY IS EVERYONES BUSINESS. THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY

BE YOUR OWN.

6. TOWING OF AIRCRAFT.
When towing aircraft, the proper tow bar must be used. The wrong type of tow bar, or
makeshift
equipment, can cause damage to the aircraft. Persons performing towing operations
should be
thoroughly familiar with the procedures that apply to the type of aircraft to be moved.
Particular
care must be exercised when pulling or pushing an aircraft with a tow vehicle.
a. One should never tow an aircraft in congested areas without signalmen to assist in
determining that there is adequate clearance.
b. No less than two people should be used to tow large aircraft, including a qualified
person
in the cockpit to operate the aircraft brakes and a qualified tow vehicle operator. One
person should be able to safely move a light aircraft with a hand operated powertowing
device or tow bar provided for the aircraft.
c. The person operating the tow vehicle should assure that the nose wheel scissors
or tail
wheel lock is disengaged, when applicable, before attempting to move the aircraft.
The
person operating the tow vehicle should also make certain that the nose wheel
swivelling
limits are not exceeded during the towing operation.
d. The aircraft engines should not, under normal circumstances, be operated during
towing
operations. However, the procedure of pushing transport aircraft away from terminal
gates, used by air transport operators for dispatch, is an exception. If engines are
operated during towing operations, procedures will be needed to keep personnel
away
from rotating propellers and away from the danger zones of jet engines.
e. Prior to movement of any aircraft, all landing gear struts and tires should be
properly
inflated and brake pressure built up when applicable.
f. The tow vehicle operator should avoid sudden starts and stops. The aircraft brakes
should
be applied only in an emergency, on command from the tow vehicle operator or his
signalman.
g. Clearance must be obtained from the airport control tower, either by appropriate
radio
frequency or by prior arrangement through other means, before moving aircraft
across
runways or taxiways.