CHAPTER 10 LINE OPERATIONS AND SAFETY INTRODUCTION One of the busiest, most important and dangerous divisions   in   a   squadron   is   the   line   division.   Upon reporting    to    a    squadron,    no    matter    your    rate    or paygrade, you may be assigned to the line division. As an Airman, or third class petty officer, you may become a plane captain. A plane captain has many responsibilities in flight operations and the day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of modern aircraft. You will be required to operate support equipment (SE), handle, secure, and service aircraft. You must also be aware of the related safety precautions to reduce personal injury, aircraft and equipment damage, and prevent a loss of operational  readiness  due  to  ground  accidents.  This chapter outlines some of these crucial factors. OPERATING EQUIPMENT AROUND AIRCRAFT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the proper procedures for operating ground support equipment near or around aircraft, the safety  precautions  and  hazards  involved,  and support equipment color identification. When  mobile  equipment  is  used  around  aircraft, certain operating techniques, handling procedures, and safety precautions are followed to reduce the number of accidents, to prevent damage to aircraft and equipment, and  to  ensure  the  safety  of  personnel.  The  following operating  techniques  and  handling  procedures  should be followed: !    Vehicles  should  not  pass  under  any  part  of  a parked aircraft. Where such passing is absolutely necessary, the vehicle must come to a   complete   stop   and,   before   proceeding,   a visual   check   must   be   made   to   ensure   that sufficient clearance exists. !    Vehicles carrying passengers must stop only at the   boarding   entrance   and   clear   of   aircraft while loading or unloading passengers. !    Riding  on  fenders,  hoods,  running  boards,  or any place not intended for passengers is strictly prohibited. !    Personnel  involved  in  the  towing  of  aircraft must be alert and exercise extreme care. !    Tractor  drivers  must  always  maintain  a  safe distance  from  parked  aircraft  and  be  on  the alert for movements of other aircraft. !    Motorized vehicles used to service aircraft or those   used   near   aircraft   must   be   driven   or parked adjacent to aircraft so that inadvertent movement  of  the  vehicle  will  not  result  in  a collision. !    When    aircraft    are    serviced,    all    refueling vehicles   should   be   parked   forward   of   the aircraft and parallel to the wing. The refueling vehicle should be parked at a point as distant from the aircraft as the length of hose permits, and preferably to the windward (upwind) side of the aircraft. !    If it is necessary to park near a parked aircraft, the hand brake of a motorized vehicle must be set  and  the  ignition  turned  off.  If  the  service being rendered requires running the motor, the motorized vehicle must be manned. !    The   speed   limit   for   operating   vehicles   on airfields in the vicinity of aircraft and hangars (50 feet) is 5 mph. !    On  runways,  taxiways,  parking  areas,  ramps, and work areas, the speed limit is 10 mph. !    When   aircraft   are   towed,   the   towing   speed should  never  be faster than the slowest person can walk or exceed 5 miles per hour. !    Sudden   starts   and   stops   must   be   avoided. Extreme  caution  must  be  exercised  when  an aircraft  is  towed  over  unprepared  surfaces  or into or through a congested area. HAZARDS OF SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (SE) Tow   tractors,   electrical   power   units,   hydraulic jennys, jet aircraft start units, air conditioners, nitrogen carts,  work  stands,  jacks,  floodlight  carts  and  utility vehicles   are   mostly   big,   heavy,   clumsy,   noisy,   and 10-1