Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset and hand signals

This standard is about the use of a headset for the purpose of communicating with the aircraft operating crew during arrival, pushback or towing of an aircraft. When utilising a headset it is often a requirement to communicate with other ground crew using hand signals. This involves preparing, checking and operating the required headset according to organisational procedures and relevant legal requirements. This also involves understanding the required terminology and phrases used in the communication process.

This standard is for those whose work involves communicating with aircraft flight crew through a headset or using hand signals, and with ground crew by use of hand signals.

When you have completed this standard, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of and ability to:

• Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset and hand signals

1. Prepare to use a headset in line with organisational and the airport/airfield's procedures
2. Select and wear the required personal protection equipment (PPE) in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
3. Check the operational condition of headset in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
4. Locate and open the aircraft headset connection panel in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures 
5. Connect your headset to the aircraft and instigate communication with the aircraft operating crew in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
6. Report and/or record identified headset faults in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
7. Operate a headset to communicate with an aircraft operating crew in line with organisational and the airport/airfield's procedures
8. Use the required standard terms and phrases when communicating with the aircraft operating crew in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
9. Brief all ground crew involved on the planned aircraft movement including non-standard engine start procedures and specific hazards associated with the planned movement in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
10. Use standard hand signals to communicate with the ground crew and aircraft operating crew in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements
11. Complete pre aircraft movement checks in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
12. Insert and remove by-pass pins in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
13. End communication with the aircraft operating crew and disconnect your headset in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
14. Close and secure the panel in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures
15. Respond to an emergency situation in line with your organisation's and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements

1. Your organisation’s and the airport/airfield's procedures and relevant legal requirements for communicating with an aircraft operating crew using a headset
2. How to prepare to use a headset
3. The importance of selecting and wearing the required personal protection equipment (PPE)
4. The different types of headset and the one suitable for connection to the aircraft you will be communicating with
5. The operating functions of the headset
6. The connection and disconnection procedures for the aircraft you will connect to including the opening and closure of the headset connection panel
7. How to check the headset and accompanying parts for faults; what faults are identifiable and how to report and document faults in line with your organisation's procedures identify faults
8. Your organisation's procedures for meeting an aircraft on arrival
9. Your organisation’s procedures for operating a headset to communicate with an aircraft operating crew
10. The types of hazards associated with walking with an aircraft when operating a headset
11. The checks to be performed before aircraft movement in line with your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures and how to report unacceptable findings from the checks
12. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's verification procedure to release the aircraft for departure or ground movement
13. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures for any movement process (pushback, towing etc) to be completed
14. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures for the use of by-pass pins
15. The restrictions of the aircraft about to be moved (e.g. nosewheel turn limits, susceptibility to tipping etc)
16. The standard hand signals required to communicate your instructions to other members of the ground crew and/or flight crew
17. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures for briefing other ground crew members of the aircraft movement about to be undertaken
18. The required standard terms and phrases specific to the task being performed in line with organisational procedures
19. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures when communication failure occurs during the aircraft movement process
20. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures for non-standard aircraft movement events
21. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures in the event of an emergency related to the aircraft movement process
22. Your organisation's and airport/airfield's procedures for an emergency stop during an aircraft movement process

Hazards include:

a)    Aircraft

b)    Engine ingestion

c)    Nose wheel movement

d)    Aircraft track

e)    Noise

f)    Visibility

g)    Adverse weather

Checks to be performed before moving the aircraft include a visual inspection:

a)    To verify all doors and hatches are closed

b)    To verify all ground support equipment has been detached and removed to a safe distance

c)    To verify any loading bridge and associated cables/connections have been removed

d)    To verify all surfaces are free of contamination and new damage

e)    Of the landing gears olio extension

f)    For leaks of fuel and/or fluids

g)    Of the area of operation to ensure that it is clear of FOD and obstruction

h)    That all chocks have been removed 

Non-standard events include:

a)    Engine start required before movement

b)    Ground power unit (GPU)

c)    Air starter unit (ASU) 

d)    Shear-pin failure

e)    Engine start fire

f)    Other

FOD
Foreign Object Debris

PPE
Personal Protective Equipment

Aviation terms, phrases and hand signals
have been standardised to improve communication and safety across the global aviation industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) set out the standard for nonverbal communication and guidance signals in the IATA Standards in the Airport Handling Manual (AHM) and IATA Ground Handling Manual (IGOM). The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) set out the common language used for verbal communication including radiotelephony, the phonetic alphabet and phraseology to be used.