Understanding Communications Between Ramp Workers and Pilots in Ground Operations

Effective communication between ramp workers and pilots is crucial for enhancing flight operations and ensuring safety. This communication relies on an industry-standard language of phrases, hand signals, and radio communication, contributing to situational awareness and helping detect dangers before incidents occur.

“Communication is an extremely large and important part of both the profession and the training for the profession as a ramp worker,” said David Stribe, corporate training coordinator at Aviator Airport Alliance. “We need to ensure safety by monitoring from our side, and we are in direct contact with the cockpit via headset.”

Training for Effective Communication

Aviator ramp employees begin with basic training that covers hand signals and other essential communication techniques. Additional training modules teach aircraft marshalling, preparing ramp workers to handle various scenarios effectively.

According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s report on 2023 aviation safety, ground collisions were the fourth most common type of accident and serious incident in Europe from 2019 to 2023.

Initial Communication

Communication between an aircraft and Aviator typically begins upon arrival. After completing an after-landing checklist and following air traffic control instructions to reach the gate, the pilot stops the aircraft and shuts down the engines. The flashing red beacon light is then disengaged, signaling the ground crew to begin their work.

The ground crew first places chocks at the wheels to prevent movement. They use hand signals, often bringing their fists together above their head, to indicate that the chocks are in place.

Next, the ground crew connects an interphone system via a headset to the aircraft to welcome the pilots and ensure the ground power supply is connected, allowing them to continue their tasks on the aircraft. At this stage, communication resembles taking orders at a busy restaurant, with the crew addressing individual aircraft needs and organizing ground service equipment accordingly.

Communication at the Gate

While the aircraft is parked at the gate and connected to the interphone system, communication becomes more personalized. Each aircrew has its own communication style developed before arriving at the airport.

“Every part of communication between us and the pilots does not just follow a precise predetermined word order,” Stribe explained. “Quite naturally, it may be that the cockpit chooses to communicate via the local language.”

During ground time, Aviator crew members perform various tasks to prepare the aircraft for the next flight while standing by for any communication from the pilots. Conversations can range from casual topics like the World Cup to more specific discussions about airport conditions, enhancing pilot situational awareness.

Communication at Departure

As the aircraft is prepared for departure, Aviator personnel follow predetermined and planned dialogues in accordance with regulations, using headsets and hand signals. The ground crew initiates the departure process by informing the cockpit that the departure check is complete, the pushback tractor is connected, and they are ready for departure.

“We inform the cockpit that the departure check has been completed, that we have connected the pushback tractor and are ready for departure,” Stribe said.

Marshallers watch for any potential conflicts that pilots can’t see from the flight deck, immediately alerting their supervisors if any issues are detected.

The pilot activates the beacon light before the aircraft is moved and the engines are started, making areas outside the aircraft unsafe for ground personnel. Once the pushback is complete, the ground crew disconnects a safety pin in the nose landing gear, enabling its free movement.

“We always end the communication by disconnecting the headset, moving away from the aircraft, directly in front and in the cockpit’s field of vision, where we display the disconnected safety pin and give the crew the ‘thumbs up,’” Stribe said. “We always wait until the ‘thumbs up’ is answered from the cockpit, and that is then the sign that the aircraft will taxi out to take off and our work and communication with the cockpit is thus finished.”

Effective communication between ramp workers and pilots is essential for safe and efficient ground operations. By following industry-standard procedures and maintaining open lines of communication, ground crews and pilots can work together to ensure smooth and safe flight operations.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationpros.com