TO 00-25-172 - Robins Air Force Base

TO 00-25-172
CHAPTER 4
FLIGHT LINE SERVICING OPERATIONS
4.1 POWERED SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (SE).
4.1.1 Positioning and Operation of Support Equipment.
To control, position, and operate powered and nonpowered
support equipment used for aircraft servicing, the
following requirements apply:
a. All support equipment not required in servicing operations
shall be shut down prior to the start of servicing.
Unless required for servicing, support equipment shall
not be parked under any part of an aircraft being serviced.
Parking brakes shall be applied when support
equipment is in position and, if necessary, because of
ramp slope conditions, chocks will also be used.
Chocks shall be used on wheeled support equipment
that does not have operable parking brakes.
b. Operating powered support equipment shall be parked
outside the fuel servicing safety zone of the aircraft
being serviced and 10 feet from any aircraft not being
serviced. Exception: During CSOs, powered support
equipment, i.e., munitions loaders/jammers, may pass
underneath aircraft fuel vent outlets but must not stop
or be parked under the fuel vent outlets during fuel
servicing portions of the CSOs. Wind direction, ramp
slope, mechanical strain on cables or ducts, and location
of the fuel source are also important considerations.
Exhaust outlets shall not be pointed at the aircraft
when starting powered support equipment. An
operator shall remain in the vicinity of operating powered
support equipment at all times.
Avoid touching exhaust manifold if doubt exists
as to temperature. Serious burns may result if the
manifold is hot.
c. Support equipment shall not be refueled while operating,
or when exhaust manifold/piping is hot (750 °F or
more). Support equipment shall not be started when
fuel vapors are noticeably present. Do not refuel support
equipment directly from aircraft drain cocks.
4.1.2 Driving and Parking Fuel/Water Servicing Vehicle/Equipment.
Fuel servicing vehicles will not be driven
or parked closer than 25 feet from aircraft unless a spotter is
used to direct the vehicle. (Exception: Fuel servicing vehicles
being positioned for aircraft servicing may be driven
under the horizontal stabilizers of AN-124, B-1, C-5, C-17,
C-130, C-141, E-4, VC-25, and Boeing 747 aircraft as long
as: the vehicles stay on paved surfaces; maintain at least a
ten foot clearance from any portion of the aircraft; and a
spotter is used.) Special attention must be given to clearances
between the fuel servicing vehicle and the aircraft
cargo door when open and the ramp when lowered.) Under
no circumstances will the vehicle be positioned closer than
10 feet from the aircraft. (Exception: A-10, AN-124, C-5,
C-17, C-130, C-135, E-4B, VC-25, Boeing 747, C-27, and
U-2R aircraft only, the vehicle may be within 10 feet but no
closer than four feet from the aircraft in any direction. For
AN-124, C-5, C-17, E-4B, VC-25, and 747 aircraft, the fuel
truck may be positioned as far under the wing as necessary
for the fuel hose to reach the aircraft.) Except during nosein,
nose-out or double-stuff conditions in a HAS/PAS, maintain
a minimum of 5 feet between fuel servicing vehicles and
any portion of the aircraft. (R-11 fuel servicing vehicles when
used inside hardened aircraft shelters are exempt from the
minimum 5 feet clearance requirements). Hydrant servicing
vehicles and hydrant hose trucks with highlift platform servicing
capability may be permitted under the wing of an
aircraft, if this positioning is required to perform the fuel
servicing operation. Always maintain a clear path from the
aircraft for rapid evacuation of vehicles in an emergency
situation.
Where fully extended aircraft flaps could potentially
interfere or minimize clearance with refueling
equipment, ensure aircraft flaps are in the full
upright position prior to positioning refueling
equipment.
a. Avoid driving vehicles or equipment directly toward
parked aircraft when within 25 feet since a brake failure
could result in a collision. Approach the aircraft
parallel to the wings (except in instances where single
point location on the aircraft requires a different approach)
and with the vehicle operator’s side adjacent
to the aircraft.
b. Stop the servicing equipment at least 25 feet from the
aircraft, uphill if possible, and move into servicing position
cautiously upon signal from directing personnel.
If backing is absolutely necessary to approach an aircraft,
post a spotter and place chocks to preclude the
vehicle from striking the aircraft. Back very slowly so
that the chocks can stop the vehicle in case of brake
failure. When a series of aircraft in a row are to be
refueled and the refueler moves forward along designated
10-foot minimum clearance markings painted on
4-1