Unit 1: AIRCRAFT GROUND HANDLING AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENTS

MOORING OF AIRCRAFTS & HELICOPTERS: Aircraft tiedown procedure after each flight (or) at the end of the day flying is knowing as mooring . Picketing is the term used in air force. Aircraft tiedown is a very important part of aircraft ground handling. The type of tiedown will be determined by the prevailing weather conditions. In normal weather limited or normal tiedown procedure is used; but when storm conditions are anticipated a heavy weather or storm condition tiedown procedure should be employed. (i) (ii) (iii) Gale- strong wind - wind with a velocity of 55 to 75 km/hr. Strom violent wind storm wind with a velocity of 75 to 130 km/hr. Hurricane violent wind storm wind with a velocity of 130 km/hr & above.

Normal tie down procedures (or) storm conditions tie down procedures for the following: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Light aircraft civil use/ military use Medium aircraft _ open tarmac/closed hangars Heavy aircraft blast pens(concrete,iron roofing) Helicopters all units/ w/o camouflaged coverings Sea planes & airplanes on skis (floats)

Tie down requirements: (i) (ii) (iii) Location of the tie down point Tie down hangars/picketing blocks Tie down ropes /chains

(iv)

Wheel chocks.

Normal tie down procedure: Small aircraft should be tie down after each flight to preclude damage from sudden storms. The direction in which aircraft to be parked and tie down will be determined by prevailing or forecast wind direction. Aircraft should be headed as nearly as possible, info the wind, depending on the locations of the fixed, parking area tie down points. Spacing of tie down should allow for angle wing tip clearance. After the aircraft properly located, lock the nose wheel or the tail wheel in the fore and after position.

Tie down anchors: All aircraft parking areas should be equipped for three point tie downs. In most of the airports tie down anchors are installed in cargo parking areas. Tie down anchors

Sometimes called pad eyes are ring like fittings installed when the parking areas is poured. They are normally set flush with the surface of the concrete or no more than one inch above it. There is several type of tie down anchors in use. The type selected is usually determined by the material used in aircraft parking areas, since it may be a concrete paved surface, a bituminous paves surface or an unpaved turf area. Location of tie down is usually indicated by white or yellow paint marking or by surrounding the tie down anchor with crushed stone Tie down anchors for small single engine aircraft should provide a minimumholding power (strength) of approximately 3000 pounds each. Although

this minimum can be achieved when stake-driven tie downs are used in dry or turfed areas, such stakes will almost invariably pullout when the ground becomes soaked from torrential rains which accompany hurricanes and thunder storms.

Tie down ropes/cables/chains: Tie down ropes should be capable of resisting a pull of 3000 pounds (approx.) for light aircraft tie down. Manila ropes (if used) should be inspected periodically for mildew and rot. Nylon or Dacron tie down ropes are preferably for manila ropes tie down cables are used to secure large aircrafts. Cable tie designed for rapid and reliable securing of all type of aircrafts. Tie down chains are used for better and stronger tie down to secure the heaviest aircrafts. This tie down assembly is composed of an all metal quick release mechanism, a tensioning device, and length of chain with hooks. Points to be observed while securing light aircraft: 1. Light aircrafts are often secured with ropes. Hence no rope should tie to a lift start. 2. If manila rope is used allow 1 inch of slackness as it shrinks when wet. Too much slack will cause the aircraft to jerk against the ropes (remember a tight tie down will impart inverted flight stresses) 3. Use slope knots to tie the rope at tie down anchors and at aircrafts mooring points/ rings.

Points to be observed while securing heavy aircrafts: 1. First of all, all the control surfaces of the heavy aircrafts should be blocked using the appropriate locking devices.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Head the airplane in prevailing wind whenever possible. Install all control locks, all covers and guards. Chock all wheels fore and after. Attach tie down reels to airplane tie down loops and to tie down anchors (or tie down stakes). If tie down reels are not available inch wire cable or inch manila rope can be used.

Aircraft tie down for storm conditions: Special points to be observed: 1. Know the local weather conditions because there is sufficient warning for the large and heavy wind storms whereas the local ones build up quickly and give little of their coming. Hence study of weather map and weather report from meteorological section to be consulted. 2. The best protection against wind storm damage is to fly the airplane out of the impending storm area when there is sufficient time. 3. The next best protective measure is to secure the aircraft in a storm proof hangar. 4. The remaining alternate is to assure that the aircraft is tie down securely. 5. When the securing the aircraft fasten all the doors and windows properly cover the engine intakes and exhaust to prevent FOD entering into the openings; cover the pitot-static tubes; lock the control surfaces. 6. Observe the minimum recommended strength for tie down ropes(given in the manufacturer s recommendations). 7. Single rows of properly secured sand bags or spoiler board (2 *2 ) on the top of the wings leading edge will serve as an effective spoiler and reduce the lifting tendency of the wings (do not over load the wing with sand bags). 8. Partially disassembled aircraft which are out doors should be hangar as soon as storm warnings are received. Securing multi engine aircrafts:

1. The anchor should be capable of holding of 4000 pounds each for the lighter twin engine executive aircraft. Much higher load capacity is required for the heavier transport aircraft. 2. Whenever the multi-engine aircrafts are left un attended for some length of time, they are to properly to be tied down, chocked, given locks for the control surfaces installed and landing gears down locks safety pins installed. Securing of helicopters: Structural damage can occur for high velocity surface winds. Therefore if at all possible, helicopters, should be secured in hangers. If not they should be tied down securely. Helicopters that are tied down can usually sustain winds up to approximately 65 miles per hour. For added protection, move the helicopters to an open space (no tree etc.) if high winds are expected tie down the rotor blades. Refer the maintenance main wheel chocks, control locks, rope tie downs, mooring covers, tip socks, tie down assemblies, parking brakes and rotor brakes are used to secure helicopters. Typical mooring procedure for helicopters is as follows: 1. Head the helicopter in the direction from which the highest fore casted wind or gusts are anticipated. 2. Spot the helicopter slightly more than rotor span distance from the other aircraft. 3. Place wheel chocks ahead of and behind the wheels. On helicopters equipped with skids, retract the handling wheels, lower the helicopters to rest on the skids and install wheel position lock pin. 4. Install a tie down assembly on the end of the blade and align the blade over the tail boom and secure the tie down straps under the tails of tail boom. 5. Fasten the tie down ropes or cables to the forward and after landing gear cross tubes and secure to ground stakes or tie down rings. Securing sea planes and aircrafts on skis:

Aircrafts mounted on floats or skis should be secured to tie down anchors or dead men since under the water or ice. When warning of an impending storm is received and is not possible to fly the aircraft out of storm area some compartments of sea planes are flooded, partially sinking the aircraft. In addition the aircraft should tie down securely to anchors sea planes tied down on landing have been saved from high wind damage by filling the floats with water in addition tying the aircraft in usual manner. Operators of ski equipped aircrafts sometimes pack soft snow around the skies, pour water on the snow and permit the skies to freeze to the ice. This, in addition to the usual tie down procedures, aids in preventing damage from wind storms.