PPLAOG60

Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using

a headset

Overview This unit is about the use of a headset for the purpose of communicating with
the aircraft flight crew during, arrival, pushback or towing. When utilising a
headset it is often a requirement to communicate with other ground crew using
hand signals. You must understand the terminology and phrases used in the
communication process.

This unit consists of two elements:

1. Prepare to use a headset

2. Operate a headset in an airport environment

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

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 PPLAOG60
Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset

Performance
criteria
Prepare to use a headset
You must be able to: P1 select and wear appropriate personal protection equipment in line with
your organisation's procedures
P2 check operational condition of headset in line with your organisation's
procedures
P3 locate and open the aircraft headset connection panel in line with your
organisation's procedures
P4 connect your headset to the aircraft and instigate communication with the
operating crew in line with your organisation's procedures
P5 report and/or record faults in line with your organisation's procedures

You must be able to: Operate a headset in an airport environment

P6 use the correct terminology when communicating with the aircraft
operating crew in line with your organisation's procedures
P7 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 procedures
P8 use hand signals to communicate with the ground crew in line with your
organisation's procedures
P9 use hand signals to communicate with the flight crew in line with your
organisation's procedures
P10 complete pre aircraft movement checks in line with your organisation's
procedures
P11 insert and remove by-pass pins in line with your organisation's
procedures
P12 end communication with the operating crew and disconnect your headset
in line with your organisation's procedures
P13 close and secure the panel in line with your organisation's procedures
P14 deal with an emergency situation, e.g. engine start fire, in line with your
organisation's procedures

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PPLAOG60
Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset

Knowledge and
understanding
You need to know and Prepare to use a headset
understand: K1 safety requirements including personal protection equipment, aircraft
hazards, adverse weather and walking routes
K2 the appropriate headset for the aircraft to be connected to
K3 connection and disconnection procedures for the aircraft you will connect
to including the opening and closure of the headset connection panel
K4 operating functions of the headset
K5 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
K6 your organisation's procedures for meeting an aircraft on arrival

You need to know and Operate a headset in an airport environment

understand: K7 the hazards associated with the aircraft you are about to connect to
K8 the hazards associated with walking with an aircraft when operating a
headset (e.g. engine ingestion, nose wheel movement, aircraft track,
noise, visibility)
K9 the checks to be performed before the moving of the aircraft in line with
your organisation's procedures. These should include: a visual
inspection to verify that all doors and hatches are closed, that all ground
support equipment has been detached and removed to a safe distance,
verification that any loading bridge and associated cables/connections
have been removed, a visual inspection of all surfaces for contamination
and free of new damage, a visual inspection of the landing gears olio
extension, a visual inspection for leaks of fuel and/or fluids, a visual
inspection of the area of operation to ensure that it is clear of FOD and
obstructions, a visual inspection that all chocks have been removed
K10 how to report unacceptable findings from the checks in K9
K11 your organisation's verification procedure to release the aircraft for
departure or ground movement
K12 your organisation's procedures for any movement process (pushback,
towing etc) to be completed
K13 your organisation's procedures for the use of by-pass pins
K14 the restrictions of the aircraft about to be moved (e.g. nosewheel turn
limits, susceptibility to tipping etc)
K15 the standard hand signals required to communicate your instructions to
other members of the ground crew and/or flight crew
K16 your organisation's procedures for briefing other ground crew members
of the aircraft movement about to be undertaken
K17 phraseology specific to the task being performed
K18 your organisation's procedures for communication failure during the

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PPLAOG60
Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset

aircraft movement process

K19 your organisation's procedures for non-standard events (e.g. engine start
required before movement, GPU, ASU, shear-pin failure etc)
K20 the additional hazards associated with using a headset in adverse
weather
K21 the additional hazards associated with an aircraft movement in adverse
weather
K22 your organisation's procedures in the event of an emergency related to
the aircraft movement process
K23 your organisation's procedures for, as a minimum: shear pin failure,
engine start fire
K24 your organisation's procedures for an emergency stop during an aircraft
movement process

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PPLAOG60
Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset

Additional Information

Glossary FOD
Foreign Object Debris

Links to other This unit complements:

NOS
PPLAOG59 Use radiotelephony in an airport environment
PPLAOG49 Pushback Aircraft
PPLAOG51 Tow Aircraft

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PPLAOG60
Communicate with an aircraft operating crew using a headset

Developed by People 1st

Version number 1

Date approved July 2008

Indicative review July 2012

date

Validity Current

Status Original

Originating GoSkills
organisation

Original URN GSKAOG60

Relevant Transportation operations and maintenance; Transport Drivers and Operatives

occupations

Suite Aviation Operations on the Ground

Key words aircraft, aircraft operating crew, headset, terminology, airport

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