THE guidance of an aircraft on the ground is a crucial task performed by track technicians to ensure the safety and accuracy of aircraft movements at airports. Here are the main gestures that a technician uses to guide an aircraft on the ground:
Initial positioning : The technician positions himself an appropriate distance in front of the aircraft and signals to the pilot to indicate that he is ready to begin vectoring.
forward movement : By waving a panel or making a hand gesture, the technician signals the pilot to start moving forward. Forward hand movements tell the rider to keep rolling forward.
Stop : By placing his arms crossed above his head and spreading them apart, the technician signals the pilot to stop the plane. This clear gesture indicates that the aircraft must stop its engines and wait for further instructions.
Movement backwards : By making a hand gesture backwards, the technician indicates to the pilot to back up. Wave-like hand movements can be used to signal the desired recoil speed.
Turn right or left : By pointing in the desired direction with an extended arm, the technician instructs the pilot to turn right or left. The hand can be tilted to indicate the desired turn angle.
Wait signal : By raising a hand or an arm in the air, the technician informs the pilot to wait. This may be necessary to allow passage of other aircraft, ground vehicles or for security reasons.
Clearance signal : By waving a lamp or a green lantern, the technician signals to the pilot that he can continue forward or perform other authorized movements.
Emergency Signal : By using a red lamp or lantern, the technician can warn the pilot of an emergency situation or ask him to stop immediately.
wireless communication : Ramp technicians are often in direct communication with pilots via radio. They provide verbal instructions to guide the aircraft on the ground in a precise manner.
These gestures and signals allow ramp technicians to efficiently coordinate the movements of aircraft on airports, thus ensuring the safety and fluidity of ground operations. Clear communication, precise gestures and rigorous coordination are essential to avoid collisions and errors when moving aircraft.
