Standard Operating Procedure
Updated: May 2017
DOCUMENT NUMBER: SOP320
TITLE: Airfield Operations at Kangerlussuaq
PURPOSE:
To ensure safe airfield operations.
BACKGROUND:
Contractor policy is to adhere to Greenlandic airfield driving rules, Air Force regulations found in AFOSHSTD 91- 100 AMC SUP 1 Chapter 6 and AMCI 24-101 V11Section F. In situations where no published guidelines are available, such as; up and download of small commercial aircraft and military aircraft of foreign nations, policy is to coordinate all cargo operations with a particular aircrafts crew.
DETAILS:
AIRFIELD ACCESS
• Only authorized personnel will drive on the airfield. • Prior to entering the ramp drivers should engage headlights and yellow beacon lights. • When pulling up to the gate the operator will have to use the gate remote to open the gate and gain entrance to the airfield. Each vehicle is equipped with one. • Access for cargo operations (both material and passenger) can be gained through one of two gates. For Air Greenland/Nordland Air, Kenn Borek, and Royal Danish Air Force access, enter through the gate that sits next to the large Air Greenland Hanger; it has a large sign on it that is visible from the road side. • For working with larger frame aircraft, such as; LC-130 Hercs, C-5, and NASA aircraft, as well as independent helicopter contractors use the gate nearest the Pilersuisoq warehouse. AIRFIELD DRIVING
• When driving on the airfield keep to the side of the airfield, parallel to the parked aircraft. • The speed limit on the aircraft ramp is 15 mph. • When driving within 25’ of an aircraft the speed limit is reduced to 5 mph. • All turns when possible should be made at 90 degree angles and vehicles should not be driven diagonally. • Employees will not drive across the Runway.
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Standard Operating Procedure
Updated: May 2017
• Employees will not drive in between aircraft wingtips. • In cases where emergency vehicles are present at an aircraft, vehicles will not break the line of sight between emergency vehicles and the aircraft. PARKING ON THE AIRFIELD
• Vehicles will not be backed or parked in the immediate vicinity of any aircraft 25 feet to front of or 200 feet to rear, or pointing toward any aircraft, except as authorized for operations such as loading or unloading, servicing, or towing. • The brakes on all vehicles will be set. • All unattended vehicles will be parked so they will not interfere with the aircraft being towed or taxied. Ignition will be turned off; keys will be left in the ignition; and the gear lever will be put in reverse gear for vehicles with manual transmissions and in the ‘park’ position for vehicles with automatic transmissions. All vehicles parked and left unattended will have brakes set or will have chocks placed both in front of and behind one of the rear wheels. • Vehicles parked at the side of the aircraft will be located clear of the wingtips, clearly visible to personnel in the aircraft cockpit. • Multiple vehicles in line, such as when picking up or dropping off passengers will be parked slightly staggered usually to the end of the driver’s door so that the cockpit has a view of the drivers seats each vehicle. • Vehicles will not be parked within 50’ of vehicles fueling aircraft. In most instances our interaction with aircraft will not begin until fueling is finished. APPROACHING NON-MILITARY AIRCRAFT FOR UP AND DOWNLOAD
• When aircraft engines are operating or being started, no vehicle will be parked or driven closer than 25 feet to the side of or 300 feet to the rear of any aircraft. More room will be given if available. Every attempt will be made to not drive within 100’ of the front aircraft starting up and employees will not drive in front of taxiing aircraft. • Regardless of the aircraft or the agency that owns it, all employees will not approach within an aircraft’s “Circle of Safety” without a spotter. The "Circle of Safety" is an imaginary line around any aircraft ten feet outside the nose, wing tips and the tail • The vehicle operator will not leave the driver’s seat while within the aircrafts circle of safety. • The vehicle operator will not adjust the load without the spotter telling them to do so. • Only one person will act as marshaller giving hand signals to the operator to control movements. If a signal is given by more than one person, the marshallers hand disappears from view or the signal given is not understood the operator will stop all operation of the vehicle until the situation is corrected. Left and right for aircraft are given from the pilot’s prospective while in the captain’s chair. APPROACHING US MILITARY AIRCRAFT FOR UP AND DOWNLOAD
• Ensure the propellers are at a complete stop.
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Standard Operating Procedure
Updated: May 2017
• When the cargo door opens, forklifts and vehicles can stage themselves around the aircraft. Cargo vehicles will stage at the rear of the aircraft. Forks will be roughly one hundred feet from the aircraft centered on the cargo door and await the loadmaster to call them forward. • The loadmaster controls all movements during up and download. Forklifts will not leave the ramp or adjust forks until directed to do so by the loadmaster. • When backing up and given the all clear by the loadmaster the forklift operator should pull their fork off to the direction where the pallets are staged so as to not block the next forklift in line. • Cargo trucks will stage themselves on the back left of the aircraft outside the circle of safety with cabs pointed to the right but not at the aircraft, unless otherwise directed by Aerial Port. • Passenger vehicles will stage themselves outside the circle of safety at the front left side of the aircraft cabs pointed to the left. If more than one is present the subsequent vehicles will keep the same orientation but stagger themselves forward. PASSENGERS
• Personnel will not ride on any part of a vehicle not intended for carrying passengers nor will they ride in or upon trailers. • Passengers should sit down and keep arms legs inside the vehicle at all times
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS (SUMMARY):
AHA’s on airfield operations and equipment operated on airfield will be kept current and signed by all pertinent employees.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Greenland Science Operations Manager: Responsible for ensuring all employees who will be driving on airfield have been sufficiently trained in above procedures and have reviewed/signed pertinent AHA’s.
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