Attention VLM/KLM Fokker 50 crews

[CX152]

I work as a Ramp Agent at LCY and every day VLM Fokker 50 are consistently turning their anticollision lights off long before the props are anywhere near finished turning. Yesterday during my shift there was not a single aircraft that did not turn its lights off too soon. This is not only a safety issue but I know if crews did this in AMS they would face a fine and the rumour is that they are going to implement this at LCY too.

[xetroV]

What does KLM have to do with VLM? They're two different companies with, one would expect, different SOPs.

(Regardless, turning off an anti-collision light before engine shutdown is a serious safety issue - did you report this through the proper channels in addition to posting it here?)

[flexmode]

You make a good point here. Let me explain why this is. After parking we would like to have ground power as soon as possible. If we shut down our engines without ground power than we loose our generators at 57% of our prop RPM. This means that from than on we are on battery power only. And the anti collision lights (not all F50's are equiped with an anti collision light on top of the fuselage; only bottom is mandatory) are not working on the F50 with battery power only, that means we need a source of AC power to supply power to the anti collision lights. The best thing is to keep the engines running till we have the ground power and than shut them down. This procedure will give you the anti coll light. But we all know the time needed to put the ground power on at LCY and the (in our humble opinion) terrible state the ground power supplies are in. Also many ground personell will connect the cable but this does not mean that the power is actually turned on. Therefore we prefer to shut down the engines knowing the last 30 sec you guys do not see the light. With KLM it is not mandatory but a preferabley procedure to wait for ground power. My tip you already know: keep looking at the props!

[CX152]

What does KLM have to do with VLM? They're two different companies with, one would expect, different SOPs.

I know i'm just saying that both airlines fly F50's to LCY and I've seen this happen with both airlines but VLM do this far more.


I never ment this post as a dig to the VLM guys, I'm just saying that I've heard that they want to start issuing fines so I just wanted to give you guys some warning really because most of the VLM guys I speak to are all very friendly and good to work with :ok:

[WHBM]

Let's just be clear that under UK law nobody can issue a fine, or whatever you want to call any financial penalty, without a court order or there being some specific legislation allowing it.