Aircraft Ground Handling

What is Jack?
It is a ground equipment which is use for lifting of an aircraft for maintenance work.

There are many different types of aircraft jacks currently in use, however, they all fall
into two groups, mechanical and hydraulic.

Mechanical Lifting Jacks

The mechanical jacks operate on a simple ‘screw jack’ principle,
where a ratchet mechanism is used to raise the telescopic ram by use
of a square thread. These jacks are usually only used for raising
small light aeroplanes, and some helicopters.
Hydraulic Lifting Jacks
The majority of aircraft lifting jacks operate on a hydraulic principle,
which use the fact that oil will flow freely yet act as a solid, because it
is in this context incompressible. Another advantage of using the
hydraulic principle, is that a relatively small piston pump can generate
a lot of pressure to move the jack ram and aircraft upwards, with only
a moderate effort on the part of the operator.
 Bottle Jack
The bottle jack consists of a hydraulic unit on a base-plate.
These jacks may have single rams or double telescoping rams, and are made
in various sizes. A single acting pump is used to raise the jack ram.
A release valve is fitted, which when opened, allows fluid in the cylinder to
return to the reservoir. This allows the ram to descend. Bottle jacks are used
mainly for raising individual undercarriage legs in order to change wheels and
brake units etc.
Tri-Pod Jack
The aircraft tripod jack is a portable, self contained,
hydraulically operated jack. These jacks are used for
raising the wing, nose, or tail of an aircraft. When used
in sufficient numbers and at there quired jacking points,
this jack can lift the complete aircraft off the deck. The
jack consists of three main assemblies—a hydraulic
cylinder, a tubular steel tripod leg structure with caster
wheels, and a hydraulic pump assembly. The cylinder
and ram are raised by manually operating the hydraulic
pump.
TriPod Jack
Jacking one wheel of an Aircraft
 Jacking Procedure of an aircraft
For Jacking the complete aircraft, only wide base jacks such as the large tripod should be
used due to greater stability they will afford.

The jacks should be placed directly under the center of each jack point and extended until
they touch the jack point.

The jacks should be extended simultaneously to keep the aircraft level and only to the
minimum height necessary to the required work.
• Do not jack the aircraft outside or in open hanger with winds in excess of 10
mph.

• Position airplane on a hard, flat, level surface.

• Remove main gear fairings.

• Remove and stow tie-down rings from wings as applicable.

• Attach a weighted tailstand to tail tiedown ring

• Position jacks and jack points for jacking. Insert jack point into
wing tiedown receptacle. Holding the jack point in place, position
the jack under the point and raise the jack to firmly contact the
jack point. Repeat for opposite jacking point

• Raise the airplane keeping the airplane as level as possible and

secure Jack locks
 Lower the aircraft from Jack
• Release pressure on all jacks simultaneously to keep
airplane as level as possible.

• Remove jacks, jack points, and tail stand. Stow points

in baggage compartment.

• Install tie-down rings.

• Install main gear fairings.

PARKING AND
PICKETING
PARKING AND PICKETING

When an aircraft is out of service and in the open, it should be secured against
inadvertent movement and protected against adverse weather conditions. The
operations which are recommended in the relevant Maintenance Manual depend on
the type of aircraft, the length of time it will be out of service, and the prevailing or
forecast weather conditions.
1. Between flights it is usually sufficient to apply the parking brakes, lock the control
surfaces, and chock the wheels, but in a strong wind light aircraft should be headed
into wind. Light aircraft without wheel brakes should be headed into wind and their
wheels should be chocked front and rear.

2. If an aircraft has to be parked overnight or for longer periods in the open, then
additional precautions should be taken to guard against the effects of adverse weather.

3. The undercarriage ground locks should be fitted, all openings such as static vents,
engine intakes and cooling air intakes should be blanked to prevent the ingress of dirt,
birds, insects and precipitation.

4. When severe weather- is expected it is recommended that cockpit/cabin covers and

wheel covers are also fitted. Blanks and covers for all these components are specially
designed for the particular aircraft.
5. Light aircraft should normally be tied down when parked overnight or longer, but this is
not usually necessary with large aircraft unless particularly strong winds are expected.

6. Large aircraft only require picketing in very strong wind conditions. The aircraft should
be headed into wind, the parking brakes should be applied (unless preloaded main-wheel
chocks are recommended)· and cables should be attached from the aircraft picketing
points to prepared anchorages. In some cases the picketing cables are special components,
and include a tension meter which is used when applying a pre-load to the cable.
LEVELLING OF AN AIRCRAFT
 For some purposes, such as rigging or weighing, an aircraft must be levelled
laterally and longitudinally, and a number of different methods may be
employed.

Spirit Level

1. Many aircraft are levelled by use of a ·spirit level, which is placed at jigged
positions on the airframe structure.

2. On the light aircraft the longitudinally level position is generally obtained by

placing the sprit level on the heads of two partially withdrawn screws (Pegs) on
the side of the fuselage , and adjusting the jacks until the sprit level is centred.
 3. The laterally level position is obtained by placing the spirit level on the centre-section
spar boom (or other nominated position), and again adjusting the jacks or tyre pressures
until the level is centred.

NOTE: In cases where tyre pressures are adjusted to level the aircraft, care
must be taken not to over-inflate or to completely deflate a tyre.
Plumb Bob

On many aircraft a plumb bob is used in

conjunction with a levelling plate. The plumb bob
is suspended from a fixed position in the cabin
roof or upper part of a wheel bay, and hangs over
a levelling plate, which may be a permanent
fixture or a separate fitting accurately located on
the cabin floor or lower part of the wheel bay.
The levelling plate is marked with a zero position
and scales indicating the adjustments required
about the lateral and longitudinal axes to centre
the plumb bob.
 SERVICING

Servicing may often be carried out in a crowded environment

and must be properly organized to ensure that the necessary
operations are carried out, to provide adequate safety to
passengers and ground crew, and to protect the aircraft from
damage. The procedures and precautions generally applicable
to the routine servicing of aircraft are dealt with in the
following paragraphs.
Refuelling.

1. Before refuelling it should be ensured that the refuelling vehicle contains

the correct grade of fuel, as shown at the refuelling points on the aircraft.

2. Precautions should be taken to provide a path to earth for any static

electricity which may be present or which may build up as a result of the
fuel flow.

3. The aircraft and the refuelling vehicle should be earthed to a point which
is known to be satisfactory, and the earthing wire on the refuelling pipe
should be connected to the earth point provided on the aircraft before
connecting the refuelling pipe or removing the tank filler cap.
4. The earthing wire should remain in position until after the refuelling pipe is
disconnected or the tank filler cap is replaced, as appropriate.

When draining fuel into buckets, containers or tanks, these should also be
bonded to the aircraft and/or the refuelling vehicle.

5. No radio or radar equipment should be operated while refuelling or defueling

is taking place, and only those electrical circuits essential to these operations
should be switched on.

6. When refuelling, the wheel chocks should be moved a short distance away
from the tyres, to prevent them being trapped when the tyres absorb the
additional weight.
7. Particular care should be taken when refuelling high-winged light aircraft,
since the upper wing surface will not normally be safe to walk on and the filler
cap may not be within easy reach. A step ladder ,or stand should be used to gain
access to the filler cap and assist in preventing damage to the wing surface. Use
of the steps . will also facilitate correct locking of the filler cap.

8. When a spillage of fuel has occurred, care should be taken to ensure that all
traces of fuel and vapour are removed.
 Connection of Electrical Power.

(a) Check the voltage and polarity of the ground

supply.

(b) Check that the external power plug and socket

For Light Aircraft are clean, dry and undamaged.

(c) Check that the external supply and the aircraft

battery master switch are off and connect the
external supply, ensuring that the plug is fully
home in the socket.
 (d) Switch on the external supply and the aircraft battery
master switch, and carry out the servicing operations for
which the external power was required.

For Light Aircraft (e) To disconnect the external supply, switch off the
battery master switch, switch off the external supply,
disconnect the external power plug, and if the aircraft
electrical system is to be used (e.g. after engine starting),
switch the battery master switch on again.
 (a) Check that the external supply is compatible
with the aircraft system (i.e. it has the same
voltage, frequency and phase rotation as the
aircraft system); and is switched off.

(b) Check that the external plug and socket are

For Heavy Aircraft
clean, dry and undamaged.

(c) Connect the external plug/socket, ensuring

that it is fully mated and secure, and switch on
the external power supply.
 (d) Check the voltage and frequency of the external
supply on the aircraft electrical system instruments, and
perform the operations specified in the relevant
Maintenance Manual to engage the external supply with
the aircraft a.c. system.

For Heavy Aircraft (e) To disconnect the external supply, disengage it from
the aircraft a.c. system,
switch off the external power at source, and remove the
external power
plug/socket.
 Charging of Component with Compress Gas
(Air Servicing)
Charging a component with compressed gas should be carried out carefully and
the following precautions should be observed:

(a)The pressure to which the component is to be charged should be checked

according to the ambient temperature, or weight and centre of gravity of the
aircraft, as appropriate.

(b) The supply connection should be clean, dry and free from oil or grease; any
contamination should be wiped off with a lint-free cloth moistened in a solvent
such as methylated spirits.

(c) The aircraft system should be charged very slowly, so as to minimize the rise in
temperature ..
(d) When the required pressure is reached, the shut-off valve should be closed and
the system pressure allowed to stabilize. The pressure should then be checked,
and adjusted as necessary.

(e) The supply hose should not be disconnected unless the shut-off valve and the
charging valves are closed, because of the dangers associated ·with rapid decompression.
On some rigs provision is also made for relieving pressure from the
supply hose before disconnection.

(f) Blanking caps should be fitted to the charging valve and supply hose as soon as
they are disconnected.

(g) When charging oxygen systems, adequate and properly manned . fire-fighting
equipment should be positioned, and if illumination is required, explosion proof lamps
and hand torches should be used.
 Oxygen System Servicing
1. Please refer AMM while servicing aircraft with oxygen system. Two personnel are
required form oxygen servicing, one should be stationed at the Control Valves and other
one should observe the pressure in the aircraft system and communication between
these two is required in case of an emergency.

2. Aircraft should not be serviced with oxygen during fueling, de-fueling or other
maintenance work which could provide a source of ignition.

3. Oxygen used on aircraft is available in two types.

a. Gaseous Oxygen – Stored in

b. Liquid Oxygen ( LOX) – Stored in liquid oxygen converter.
. Oxygen is available in three types

I. Aviator's Breathing Oxygen ( Federal specification BB-0-925A): It should

be used in Aircraft breathing oxygen systems.

II. Industrial Oxygen :- May contain impurity which could cause the pilot
,crew and /or passengers to become sick.

III. Medical Oxygen :- Though pure, contains water, which can freeze in cold
temperatures at high altitude where oxygen is necessary.
 Oil Servicing
The requirement of oil servicing varies as per aircraft manufacture. The below points of oil servicing are with reference to
Cessna 152/ 172 Aircraft.

• MIL-L-6O82 Aviation Grade Straight Mineral Oil: Used when the airplane
was delivered from the factory and should be used to replenish the supply
during the first 25 hours. This oil should be drained after the first 25 hours
of operation. Refill the engine and continue to use until a total of 50 hours
has accumulated or oil consumption has stabilized.
• MIL-L-22851 Aviation Grade Ashless Dispersant Oil: OiI conforming to
Avco Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1014, and all revisions and
supplements thereto, must be used after first 50 hours or oil consumption
has stabilized.

• Do not operate the engine if oil quantity is less than 5 Quartz

• Oil and Oil filter has to be changed in first 25 hrs operation and
thereafter in every 50 hrs operation.
 Pneumatic Power System Maintenance

Maintenance of the pneumatic power system consists of servicing, troubleshooting,

removal, and installation of components, and operational testing.

1. The air compressor’s lubricating oil level should be checked daily in

accordance with the applicable manufacturer’s instructions. The oil level is
indicated by means of a sight gauge or dipstick.

2. The pneumatic system should be purged periodically to remove the

contamination, moisture, or oil from the components and lines. Purging the
system is accomplished by pressurizing it and removing the plumbing from
various components throughout the system. Removal of the pressurized lines
causes a high rate of airflow through the system, causing foreign matter to be
exhausted from the system.
3. Upon completion of pneumatic system purging and after reconnecting all the
system components, the system air bottles should be drained to exhaust any
moisture or impurities that may have accumulated there.

4. After draining the air bottles, service the system with nitrogen or clean, dry
compressed air. The system should then be given a thorough operational check and
an inspection for leaks and security.
Towing the Aircraft
Towing the aircraft
✓ Definition

✓ Uses

✓ Tow bar

✓ Precautions

✓ Procedure
 Definition
Towing is the process
of moving the aircraft
without using engine
power by pushing by
hand or using tow bar
or tow tractor.
 Uses

1. Parking the aircraft

2. Moving the aircraft to flight line

 Taxiing Procedure

The Movement of an aircraft on an

airport and about the FLIGHT LINE and
hangar using internal force produced by
engines is known as Taxiing.
 Taxiing Procedure

1. In general, only rated pilots and authorized engineers perform taxiing of aircraft.

2. Following are the standard taxy light signals used by ATC for taxying of aircraft.

LIGHTS MEANING
Flashing GREEN Cleared to taxy
Steady RED Stop
Flashing RED Taxy clear of runway in use
Flashing WHITE Return to starting points
Alternating RED & GREEN Exercise extreme caution
Marshalling
Aircraft
Marshalling
Helicopter
Marshalling