AIRMANSHIP 1

ACP 34 AIRCRAFT OPERATION

Part 2
Over Run areas & Arrester Barriers:

 Areas beyond the end of runways are provided for accidental or

emergency use by aircraft.

 These areas are cleared of any obstacles, have an even surface

and are capable of supporting aircraft without seriously damaging
the undercarriage.

 Overrun areas can also have large barriers made of large strong
nets made of nylon rope.

 If a fast jet experiences brake failure & overruns, the net will catch
the aircraft, stopping it with minimum risk of damage to the aircraft
or injury to crew.
Operational Readiness Platforms (ORPs):

 ORPs are specially prepared areas (associated with fighter or Strike

airfields).
 They are used for parking aircraft for rapid take-off (scramble) or for
final flight preparation.

 The platforms are usually marked with taxying lines and areas set
aside for essential ground equipment.
Dispersal Hardstandings:

 Many RAF airfields still used

widely dispersed areas for
parking aircraft.

 The aim is to spread the aircraft

around to make it more difficult
for enemy aircraft to damage or
destroy parked aircraft during
attack.

 Some airfields have Hardened

Aircraft Shelters (HAS) which are
made of reinforced concrete.
Aircraft Servicing Platforms (ASPs):

 ASPs are large paved areas for the servicing & turn-round of aircraft.

 They also facilitate handling of passengers & freight.

 They are usually rectangular, with wide access tracks and close by to
hangers.
Taxiways:

 Construction: Taxiways connect all various parts of the aircraft manoeuvring

areas (e.g. dispersal to runway, ORP to runway etc.
 Taxiways are usually constructed in the same way as runways and are
normally 15m wide minimum.
 Markings: Taxiway markings are in YELLOW.
 Centre Line: This is indicated by a solid or broken yellow line.
 Edge Marking: Usually dashed yellow lines where there is little contrast
between the taxiway & surrounding area.
 Holding Position: A junction of the taxiway – aircraft stop at these points until
they are cleared to carry on. There is also a holding position sign displaying the
runway number. The holding position is usually 70m away from the edge of the
runway.
Windsocks:

 Normally, there are 2 or more

windsocks.
 These enable the indication of
wind direction on the airfield.
 They are positioned away from
trees and buildings which may
cause wind turbulence.
 The main windsock (the one least
subject to local effects) has a
white ring round it’s base.
Obstructions:

 Any object that might be hit by a

taxying aircraft, or by one landing or
taking off, is an obstruction. These
could be:

 Buildings
 Groups of working personnel.
 Vehicles.

 Obstructions must be clearly marked

both by day & night.

 Vehicles are usually painted yellow,

personnel wear high visibility vests if
working etc.
Airfield Identification:

 Each Airfield is identified by

means of 2 letters – e.g. SY for
Shawbury.

 These letters are normally

displayed in a ‘Signals Square’
close to the ATC Tower.

 At Airfields with ID Beacons, the

same letters are used by the
beacon – flashing them in Morse
code.
Airfield Lighting:

 RAF Airfields used for night flying

have a mass of lights designed to
assist pilots to taxi, take off and
land aircraft safely.

 Many of these lights are hooded

so they can only be seen from a
certain angle.

 Mains electricity is used to power

the lighting however alternative
modes/systems of supply are
used in the case of power cuts.
Location & Types of Lighting:

The Main Types of Lighting are:

 Airfield ID Beacon. The ID Beacon is an open space within the airfield and it
flashes the airfield ID letters in Morse code in a high intensity RED light.

 Obstruction Lights. ALL high buildings, towers, hangers, masts and other
high structures are marked by RED obstruction lights.

 Floodlighting. ASP’s are often lit by powerful floodlights set on pylons.

Sodium lights on the ground or on short poles can also be seen.

 Taxiway Lights. Taxiways which are less than 18m wide are marked by
BLUE lights along each side.

Above 18m wide, they are marked only along the centre line and the lights are
GREEN.
Location &Types of Lighting (Continued):

 Holding Position. Holding position signs are illuminated at night by

either their own lighting (New version) or by a triangle of BLUE lights
fixed to the boards (Older Models).

 Approach Lighting. This is usually installed outside the airfield set

on poles, to form a special pattern. This helps the pilot judge the
aircraft’s height and to line up with the runway.

These high intensity WHITE lights help in poor conditions by day, as

well as night, in helping the pilot to find the approach path visually,
towards the end of the radio or radar controlled approach.
Location &Types of Lighting (Continued):

 Threshold Lights. These are marked by a row of GREEN

lights at the touchdown end, plus ‘wings’ of 3 GREEN lights on
each side of the runway.

 Runway Lights. Main runways have high intensity

unidirectional edge lights (seen only from the direction of
landing) plus some omnidirectional edge lights which shine in
all directions and can be seen from flying aircraft. A pilot can
use these for night circuit training thus identifying his/her
position.
ANY QUESTIONS?

Questions for YOU!

 What Type of Arrester Gear does the RAF use?
RHAG System.

 What does HAS stand for?

Hardened Aircraft Shelter.

 What colour are obstruction lights on High buildings within Aircraft

Operations?
Red.

 How far is the Holding Position situated from the edge of the runway?
70m.