Boeing 737-300 Ground handling equipment requirements
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Boeing 737-300 Ground handling equipment requirements
Hello all,
Wondering if you could help me as I have been asked to help organise the ground handling for a 737-300 series aircraft. The staff are already familiar with dealing with smaller aircraft (Turboprops).
I need advice on what essential equipment would be required to get this up and running. Refueling services are already available.
If someone can point me in the right direction or offer suggestions I'd be most grateful. I know it's a big ask, basically we have nothing and need to get all the equipment required within 6 weeks....
Many thanks
Octane
Wondering if you could help me as I have been asked to help organise the ground handling for a 737-300 series aircraft. The staff are already familiar with dealing with smaller aircraft (Turboprops).
I need advice on what essential equipment would be required to get this up and running. Refueling services are already available.
If someone can point me in the right direction or offer suggestions I'd be most grateful. I know it's a big ask, basically we have nothing and need to get all the equipment required within 6 weeks....
Many thanks
Octane
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Strange question, but here we go.
A GPU for a start.
An air-start capable of delivering sufficient volume....the APU is fine and generally reliable, but does go u/s at times....no air-start, no go.
Steps...the airstairs are pretty reliable, but see above...also rear pax door access steps.
Does your catering supplier ( assuming catering to be uplifted ) have a suitable vehicle for access to the right hand doors.
Toilet cart and potable water.
A tow bar and a tug capable of towing / pushing back the aircraft.
Re-fueling is easy, but make sure the panel is opened fully and secured or the power is cut-off to the panel...if the fuel cuts off early, press the overide button but monitor the uplift or you can vent the contents.
Other things to be aware of which can come as a surprise if you aren't an engineer / pilot
Stating the bleeding obvious here, but don't go anywhere near the engine intake / exhaust until it's stopped turning....you would be surprised just how stupid / complacent people can be.
The heat efflux from the air-cond packs can get rather warm..to put it mildly
The hyd pumps in the wheel well are very noisy.
For the baggage handlers, make sure the hold doors are fully engaged on the latching hook...they are pretty solid bits of kit and will make a dent on your head if they fall.
Hope this helps.
A GPU for a start.
An air-start capable of delivering sufficient volume....the APU is fine and generally reliable, but does go u/s at times....no air-start, no go.
Steps...the airstairs are pretty reliable, but see above...also rear pax door access steps.
Does your catering supplier ( assuming catering to be uplifted ) have a suitable vehicle for access to the right hand doors.
Toilet cart and potable water.
A tow bar and a tug capable of towing / pushing back the aircraft.
Re-fueling is easy, but make sure the panel is opened fully and secured or the power is cut-off to the panel...if the fuel cuts off early, press the overide button but monitor the uplift or you can vent the contents.
Other things to be aware of which can come as a surprise if you aren't an engineer / pilot
Stating the bleeding obvious here, but don't go anywhere near the engine intake / exhaust until it's stopped turning....you would be surprised just how stupid / complacent people can be.
The heat efflux from the air-cond packs can get rather warm..to put it mildly
The hyd pumps in the wheel well are very noisy.
For the baggage handlers, make sure the hold doors are fully engaged on the latching hook...they are pretty solid bits of kit and will make a dent on your head if they fall.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Krystal n chips; 20th Mar 2011 at 05:28.
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Ensure the steps are 737 compatable. The doors on the 737 open outwards, so you need a fairly big area for the door to swing out. If not you have to stop the steps a little bit before the aircraft, open the doors, then push the steps on. Not ideal, or all that safe. Also, ones with a swivel plate at the top where the steps meet the aircraft, as the 737 front and back requires the steps to be angled slightly towards the wings. Until you get this angle cracked, a swivel plate saves a lot of repositioning of the steps.
A belt loader may also be required. The 300 is fairly low, but with a large volume of bags, a belt loader may be preferable to passing the bags into the hold manually.
Other than that pretty much everything else has been mentioned.
A belt loader may also be required. The 300 is fairly low, but with a large volume of bags, a belt loader may be preferable to passing the bags into the hold manually.
Other than that pretty much everything else has been mentioned.
Just a little hint, don't have both chocks real close to the tyres as when it settles with a full load you'll find it hard to remove them. Also, chock the main wheels, not the nose.
Definitely use the steering bypass pin or you could find a broken towbar. Remember to remove it AFTER taking the towbar off and show it to the crew when you have taken it out.
Any more help needed PM me!
OB
Definitely use the steering bypass pin or you could find a broken towbar. Remember to remove it AFTER taking the towbar off and show it to the crew when you have taken it out.
Any more help needed PM me!
OB
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B737 handling
And don't forget a small towing tractor or two to move the GPU, the pax steps and the ASU if you need it.
A goodly amount of baggage trailers will help as well
A goodly amount of baggage trailers will help as well
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I am guessing that you are at a Regional Airport...
GPU: For a one of probably not required... the only time you will need this is if the APU is faulty in which case you should know before arrival.
Stairs: If you aren't requiring a hot turn front stairs alone will suffice... As noted previously a large platform at the top of the stairs is required due to the doors swinging outwards. You may get away with opening the doors before pushing the stairs flush but a lot of Cabin Crews will not be happy to do this due to Workplace Health and Safety. Some 737 will have internal front stairs but it is rare to see them fitted or if fitted working.
Be sure to let the crew open the doors from inside the aircraft to the cracked position and complete the opening with the stairs in being careful NOT TO DISLODGE THE GIRT BAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR for the emergency exits... best not to touch the door handles at all because they must remain in a flush position or may cause damage if left out in flight.
Baggage: The 737 has a front and rear baggage compartment. The rear compartment really does require a conveyor due to height but loading the front form a barrow is acceptable and fairly safe. The baggage doors open inwards... a simple pull and twist handle and the reverse for closing.
Chocks: On a quick turn you are not going to be chocking the main wheels... nose wheel only. Don't kick the chocks in solid or they will be a bugger to remove but don't leave a gap either because it is usually standard for the flight deck to go brakes of once the chocks are in.
The headset panel is located on the left of the nose if approaching from the front... the correct socket for the jack should be marked. You have plenty of clearance from the engines if approaching from the front and there should be markers on the fuselage sides indicating a line you should not cross while the beacons are on.
Tell you crew not to walk anywhere under the aircraft that requires stooping and you should be safe... the area where you will pull the baggage conveyors in is safe to crouch if necessary.
For your pre-start walkaround... check all hatches and handles are flush and all obstructions are clear of the engines... It is a good idea to pop the chocks out AS SOON AS THE STAIRS ARE REMOVED... that way if the aircraft moves at all during start up they won't be stuck hard, and if they are it gives you more time to get your steel caps kicking to get them out.
After start exit to the front right/left and give the all clear to the Flight Deck.
GPU: For a one of probably not required... the only time you will need this is if the APU is faulty in which case you should know before arrival.
Stairs: If you aren't requiring a hot turn front stairs alone will suffice... As noted previously a large platform at the top of the stairs is required due to the doors swinging outwards. You may get away with opening the doors before pushing the stairs flush but a lot of Cabin Crews will not be happy to do this due to Workplace Health and Safety. Some 737 will have internal front stairs but it is rare to see them fitted or if fitted working.
Be sure to let the crew open the doors from inside the aircraft to the cracked position and complete the opening with the stairs in being careful NOT TO DISLODGE THE GIRT BAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR for the emergency exits... best not to touch the door handles at all because they must remain in a flush position or may cause damage if left out in flight.
Baggage: The 737 has a front and rear baggage compartment. The rear compartment really does require a conveyor due to height but loading the front form a barrow is acceptable and fairly safe. The baggage doors open inwards... a simple pull and twist handle and the reverse for closing.
Chocks: On a quick turn you are not going to be chocking the main wheels... nose wheel only. Don't kick the chocks in solid or they will be a bugger to remove but don't leave a gap either because it is usually standard for the flight deck to go brakes of once the chocks are in.
The headset panel is located on the left of the nose if approaching from the front... the correct socket for the jack should be marked. You have plenty of clearance from the engines if approaching from the front and there should be markers on the fuselage sides indicating a line you should not cross while the beacons are on.
Tell you crew not to walk anywhere under the aircraft that requires stooping and you should be safe... the area where you will pull the baggage conveyors in is safe to crouch if necessary.
For your pre-start walkaround... check all hatches and handles are flush and all obstructions are clear of the engines... It is a good idea to pop the chocks out AS SOON AS THE STAIRS ARE REMOVED... that way if the aircraft moves at all during start up they won't be stuck hard, and if they are it gives you more time to get your steel caps kicking to get them out.
After start exit to the front right/left and give the all clear to the Flight Deck.
Last edited by Donalduck; 26th Mar 2011 at 13:42. Reason: Clarify infortant info
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" Some 737 will have internal front stairs but it is rare to see them fitted or if fitted working."
Really ?......
Having worked on the 2 / 3 / 400 series as an engineer, I would less than politely suggest you are unfamiliar with the reason for airstairs...notably to facilitate access at locations that do not have airbridges.
Removal of the airstairs induces CofG changes hence even if locked out, they are invariably fitted.
And a GPU is essential if the operator's policy is to shut down the APU asap after arriving on stand as well as for night stopping engineering and cleaning operations.
"best not to touch the door handles at all because they must remain in a flush position or may cause damage if left out in flight".
Opening and closing the doors is perfectly safe once the escape slide has been disarmed and even if the girt bar does become detached from its holder, it still takes a considerable force to activate the slide. The door handles are easy to operate and even if left not fully flush will lnot cause damage to the aircraft.
My late grandmother enjoyed her eggs fried, scrambled and poached by the way.
Really ?......
Having worked on the 2 / 3 / 400 series as an engineer, I would less than politely suggest you are unfamiliar with the reason for airstairs...notably to facilitate access at locations that do not have airbridges.
Removal of the airstairs induces CofG changes hence even if locked out, they are invariably fitted.
And a GPU is essential if the operator's policy is to shut down the APU asap after arriving on stand as well as for night stopping engineering and cleaning operations.
"best not to touch the door handles at all because they must remain in a flush position or may cause damage if left out in flight".
Opening and closing the doors is perfectly safe once the escape slide has been disarmed and even if the girt bar does become detached from its holder, it still takes a considerable force to activate the slide. The door handles are easy to operate and even if left not fully flush will lnot cause damage to the aircraft.
My late grandmother enjoyed her eggs fried, scrambled and poached by the way.
Last edited by Krystal n chips; 27th Mar 2011 at 05:15.
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Ok... I notice from Mr Chips profile that he is an ex-RAF engineer. The only 737 I have worked in Australia where this question came from with internal airstairs fitted is the Prime Ministers 737... granted not a 300 series... All other examples in OZ in my experience don't have the stairs fitted due to weight restrictions...
As for not touching the door handles... the reason I say this is that in the real world of commercial opps even taking paint off the aircraft is considered damage which is what will certainly occur not to mention the noise that will be heard inside the aircraft during flight which may unsettle the paying guests if the door handles are not flush after the aircraft departs...
The advice I was given is based upon many years of commercial ground opps turning 737 aircraft around at a Regional Australian Airport...
As for requiring the GPU... well... this is the part that makes me question Mr Chips engineering credentials most alarmingly... It is a very rare occasion that requires outside air for a start up with the 737.
What the hell is with the attitudes and egos that I seem to be reading in my short time checking out this forum? And so many armchair experts... I might point out that being an ex-Airforce AME qualifies one for... Zit... Zilch... Zero... in the real world of commercial ops.
To the original poster... Inbox me if you want more info on the factual requirements for 737 ground handling.
As for not touching the door handles... the reason I say this is that in the real world of commercial opps even taking paint off the aircraft is considered damage which is what will certainly occur not to mention the noise that will be heard inside the aircraft during flight which may unsettle the paying guests if the door handles are not flush after the aircraft departs...
The advice I was given is based upon many years of commercial ground opps turning 737 aircraft around at a Regional Australian Airport...
As for requiring the GPU... well... this is the part that makes me question Mr Chips engineering credentials most alarmingly... It is a very rare occasion that requires outside air for a start up with the 737.
What the hell is with the attitudes and egos that I seem to be reading in my short time checking out this forum? And so many armchair experts... I might point out that being an ex-Airforce AME qualifies one for... Zit... Zilch... Zero... in the real world of commercial ops.
To the original poster... Inbox me if you want more info on the factual requirements for 737 ground handling.
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Dear Donald,
Ex RAFand also ex Lic.Eng in the civilian world....26 years as the latter.....you were saying about armchair "experts".?
Ground ops.....with the best will in the world to all those whom I met in this capacity over the years
and locations (various) are not engineers and handling an aircraft in this capacity offers a limited involvement in engineering functions.
In the UK / Europe the airstairs were a standard fit....the GPU for reasons I mention plus an air-start as a contigency.
Incidentally, the RAF do not operate B737's of any series...this should have given you a clue.
The reason for my response was that your own gave the impression of offering advice which had already been covered and you wished to self-promote your own "experience".
Like many on here, I freely offer advice and clarifications to those who have a valid reason or are merely curious and am happy to do so. I also seek advice at times based on the same criteria.
Now, put the Kleenex away and lets all be friends again...who knows, we may even meet in 2013 if my plans to visit Oz for the Ashes series come off and I get to see a bit of the country as well.
Ex RAFand also ex Lic.Eng in the civilian world....26 years as the latter.....you were saying about armchair "experts".?
Ground ops.....with the best will in the world to all those whom I met in this capacity over the years
and locations (various) are not engineers and handling an aircraft in this capacity offers a limited involvement in engineering functions.In the UK / Europe the airstairs were a standard fit....the GPU for reasons I mention plus an air-start as a contigency.
Incidentally, the RAF do not operate B737's of any series...this should have given you a clue.
The reason for my response was that your own gave the impression of offering advice which had already been covered and you wished to self-promote your own "experience".
Like many on here, I freely offer advice and clarifications to those who have a valid reason or are merely curious and am happy to do so. I also seek advice at times based on the same criteria.
Now, put the Kleenex away and lets all be friends again...who knows, we may even meet in 2013 if my plans to visit Oz for the Ashes series come off and I get to see a bit of the country as well.
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No worries Mr Chips...
I was endeavoring to clarify the earlier posts, some of which gave information which although factual would not be very relevant to 737 Ground Ops at Downunder Regionals..
Such as Power push backs, steering pins and aerobridges...
I think the original poster should of course contact the operator and ask the questions of them... the only thing which may pose a real problem is stairs.
Donald.
I was endeavoring to clarify the earlier posts, some of which gave information which although factual would not be very relevant to 737 Ground Ops at Downunder Regionals..
Such as Power push backs, steering pins and aerobridges...
I think the original poster should of course contact the operator and ask the questions of them... the only thing which may pose a real problem is stairs.
Donald.
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Get properly trained
You should not let any staff work /near any type of aircraft until they are trained and passed out to do so...
Contact companies that have aircraft type training and also have Ground Service Equipment training (GSE) to sign and pass your staff out.
Good luck ...Safety First!
Contact companies that have aircraft type training and also have Ground Service Equipment training (GSE) to sign and pass your staff out.
Good luck ...Safety First!
