Originally Posted by
retired guy
In Europe it’s an EASA rule. If anyone here knows of an EU airline that permits refuelling without a pilot being on the flight deck in communication with a “refuelling supervisor” by intercom I would be glad to hear of it. An airline near me is trying to comply with that one! It’s not easy.
R Guy
I seem to remember it came in when a refueller was cremated and plane
endangered when the fuel pipe leaked and fire started and nobody noticed.
The problem arises too that LCCs maybe, won’t have a ground engineer just hanging around for 20 minutes just to observe refuelling. Since that person has to be “qualified “ it can mean that the walk around pilot during transit has to do that.
Staff duties and responsibilities
Absolute authority for the decision to refuel with passengers on board must reside with the aircraft commander. They should ensure that either they or their explicitly designated representative remains on the flight deck throughout the time when refuelling with passengers on board is occurring. Teamwork is essential for normal safety standards to be maintained during such refuelling and there are a number of things that the personnel involved should be doing to achieve this:
- The aircraft commander or his specifically authorised representative present in the flight deck should:
- Where possible, establish direct communication with any ground engineer or ramp crew by interphone and if not possible agree alternative means
- Inform the senior cabin crew member prior to the commencement and after the completion of refuelling
- Keep watch for any interphone or visual alert of fire or risk of fire from the person supervising the refuelling on their behalf
- Be prepared to order passenger evacuation if necessary
- The designated dispatch supervisorshould satisfy themselves that:
- at least one pilot is present in the flight deck, all cabin crew are at their stations and any ground engineer required to be present is aware and appropriately positioned
- The area beneath exits intended for emergency evacuation is and remains clear
- The fire service has been advised
- Any passenger boarding / disembarkation is achieved in a controlled manner
- The ground engineer (or the equivalent supervisor of refuelling externally) should:
- Ensure that a means of communication with the flight crew in any emergency has been agreed
- Have agreed how communications with the pilot(s) on the flight deck will be achieved in an emergency
- Ensure that the aircraft commander or his representative in the flight deck is made aware of the commencement and completion of refuelling
- Immediately notify the pilot(s) present in the flight deck if a fire occurs or the risk of one is high
- If an emergency evacuation is required, indicate to the pilot(s) present in the flight deck that exits that may be used are clear of obstructions
- Ensure that refuelling is stopped if such a request is made by one of the flight crew.
- The cabin crew should:
- Inform passengers that smoking is not permitted and ensure that the "NO SMOKING" signs are on.
- Inform passengers to unfasten (or not to fasten if boarding) their seat belts and check that the "FASTEN SEAT BELT" signs are off.
- Check that all emergency exits are clear of internal obstructions and appear to be clear of external ones.
- Ensure that the "EXIT" signs are all illuminated.
- Ensure that ground servicing (e.g. catering or cleaning) cannot create a hazard, or delay an emergency evacuation.
https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/...sponsibilities