Airside Safety

Slide 1: 

Module 1 Aircraft Hazards

Slide 2: 

The Aircraft Hazard module will cover the following topics: Jet blast Ingestion Propellers Helicopters Undercarriage / Landing gear Under fuselage Under wing Taxi / pushback / towing Earthing of Aircraft. Module Overview

Slide 3: 

When you visit the airside of an airport, you need to be aware of many hazards.Some are obvious and some not so apparent. This training course provides you with some basic safety information on the hazards associated with walking around the apron, and other critical airside areas of the airport. Introduction

Slide 4: 

Jet blast is caused by the exhaust from a jet engine and is one of the most dangerous aspects of the jet aircraft because; It is hot It moves at high speed It emits noxious gasses It can blow loose material around If you get too close to the engine you could get burnt by the hot exhaust; blown over by the strong winds; suffer eye or respiratory irritation from the gasses or be injured by flying debris. To avoid these dangers you need to follow one simple rule and that is to remain well clear of the rear of an aircraft with running engines. The safe distance behind a jet aircraft with engines idling is a minimum of 75 metres, however this may vary. How do you know that the aircraft’s engines are operating? – The RED hazard beacon, sometime referred to as the anti-collision beacon, on top or underneath the aircraft will be operating. Jet Blast

Slide 5: 

Engine ingestion is the term used to describe the way in which an aircraft can suck anything into its intake area. When the engine is operating it creates an area of low pressure directly in front of the engine. This low pressure area causes a large quantity of air to rush into the engine inlet area and in extreme cases you can be sucked in. Engine ingestion only became a problem with aircraft designers started to mount their engines underneath the wings – such as on the Boeing 737. Before this, engines were generally located high on the rear of the aircraft, out of the way. The most obvious danger of engine ingestion is that you may get sucked into an engine if you get too close – and it has happened many time throughout the world. Remember, that the danger is invisible – you may not recognise the danger until it is too late. So, to protect yourself, walk well clear of the front of jet engines. Many aircraft have a placard on the engine which states the minimum distance while the engine is running in idle. Adopt the simple rule of always approaching the aircraft as if its engines are running, and never approach an aircraft if you see the RED anti-collision beacons operating. Remember, typically the danger extends to 7.5 metres in front and to the side of a typical jet engine. Engine Ingestion

Slide 6: 

Propellers Look for the RED rotating beacon which indicates whether the engine is running. Never walk between the fuselage and wingtip – even when the propeller is stationary. And finally, when you walk around a propeller aircraft, always assume the propeller is spinning Propeller driven aircraft at major airports are less common than jet aircraft, and this is a major factor that contributes to their hidden danger. Quiet simply, aircraft with propellers pose a risk because when the propeller is rotating, it can be almost impossible to see. And in a noisy airport environment, it is difficult to hear what is going on. Unfortunately, many people have either been seriously injured or killed, both in Australia and overseas, from inadvertently walking into a spinning propeller blade. Apart from the invisibility of the propellers when running, wash also causes a hazard similar to jet blast. There are three main ways to avoid walking into rotating propellers.

Slide 7: 

Helicopters are a significant source of risk to pedestrians because they are not used to seeing them around the airport. Particularly, because they arrive and depart differently to other aircraft. Helicopters arrive and depart vertically which can often be out of the vision of most people. The rotor wash of a helicopter poses much the same dangers as a jet blast from a jet aircraft or a propeller wash from a propeller aircraft. A safe distance from an operating helicopter is 75 metres. You can avoid the dangers of helicopters by being alert and aware of the situation around you (situation awareness). Always look up and around for helicopter operations. Particularly in areas where helicopters are known to operate. Helicopters

Slide 8: 

As well as the landing gear, there are many other components located in the wheel wells of an aircraft – Landing gear struts Wheels Brake assemblies Auxillary power unit in certain types of aircraft. The most obvious danger is hot or burning brakes. Hot brakes can explode and any explosion of the wheel assemble could be fatal. People have been killed by exploding wheels when the hubs have blown off. There are many dangers from the landing gear and these include hydraulic components that could mover or close at any time without warning. To avoid dangers follow the simple rule of never approaching the wheels from side on, as this is the most dangerous area. Remember you have no reason being under an aircraft unless you are part of the crew servicing the aircraft, or conducting a surveillance activity. Under Carriage / Landing Gear

Slide 9: 

The under fuselage is the belly of the aircraft and as a strange as it may seem there are many hazards underneath the fuselage. The main hazards of the fuselage are associated with the low clearances between the ground and the underside of the aircraft. The specific things to watch out for are antennae, masts, inlets, drain holes and sewerage outlets. To avoid the dangers do not go underneath the aircraft unless it is necessary as part of your duties. Don’t ever put your hands inside any of the outlets of the aircraft. Stay upwind of any drain holes Stay clear of the toilet waste outlet because the blue water that sometimes leaks from these holes is toilet waste! It is most important that if you do accidentally hit something in the fuselage that you tell the airline engineer, and complete an incident report if one is available Under the Fuselage

Slide 10: 

The underwing area contains many of the aircraft flight controls. For example, Flaps Engines Engine cowlings (or covers). We have already discussed engine dangers and the next greatest hazard associated with the underwing area is the clearances between the wing and the ground. With the flaps extended the clearance under the wing of an aircraft the size of a Boeing 747 can be as little as 1.07 metres. Fuel vents are also located under the wings. If the fuel system malfunctions, fuel can flow from these points dowsing people or equipment underneath. The simple way of avoiding danger is not to go underneath an aircraft unless is part of your duty. Underwing

Slide 11: 

All sizes and types of aircraft operate on the apron areas of an Airport. Aircraft on the apron are constantly on the move. Whether taxiing under their own power; being pushed back; or towed, almost every time you look you will see moving aircraft. In all situations aircraft have right of way. The pilots of taxiing aircraft have limited vision from their seats high up in the cockpit. Similarly, the driver of a pushback tug has limited vision from inside the cab. The danger is that the pilot, tractor, or tug driver will not see youstanding or walking on the apron area. Avoid the dangers by; Being constantly on the lookout for moving aircraft Be situationally aware Use designated walkways Expect the unexpected Look for operating aircraft beacons and make sure that you are certain of where an aircraft is going before you walk in its vicinity Taxi / Pushing / Towing

Slide 12: 

Aircraft may need to be earthed during refuelling and whilst loading oxygen. This means that there will be a static discharge line between the aircraft and a ground point. The hazards associated with aircraft during the process are low, however, if the bond between the aircraft and the vehicle is broken then there is a danger of the static creating a spark which could, in turn, cause a fire. Avoid the danger by not approaching an aircraft when it is being refuelled or oxygen is being loaded. Tell the refueller immediately if the bond is broken. Earthing the Aircraft

Slide 13: 

Module 1 Aircraft Hazards COMPLETE