AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANUAL – AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

D-4-1 31 January 2011

PART D – SECTION 4 AIRCRAFT DEPARTURE PROCEDURES 1.

Overview Aircraft stands at Hong Kong International Airport are configured for nose-in parking. Except those parking stands designed for direct taxi-out operation, on departure, aircraft are pushed back onto the taxilane prior to taxiing on its own power. Push-back service is provided by the aircraft line maintenance (or ramp handling) franchisees.

2.

3.

Air Traffic Control Instruction 2.1

Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures for aircraft departure are set out in the Hong Kong Aeronautical Information Publication. Aircraft must obtain permission from Ground Movement Control (GMC) before commencing engine start-up and aircraft taxi/push-back.

2.2

Communication must be maintained between the aircraft flight deck and the ground crew throughout the push-back operation in order to ensure prompt response to any ATC Instructions.

Push-back Operations To avoid damage to the aircraft and to eliminate the potential safety hazard to ramp personnel and equipment, the following rules must be observed before aircraft push-back is initiated: 3.1

Push-back crew must be qualified for aircraft push-back operations, supervised by a ground engineer/mechanic and wearing highly visible clothing. Examples of the designs are shown on Para.6.1 of Part D, Section 5.

3.2

Company operating procedures and safety precautions specific to the type of aircraft must be observed.

3.3

The aircraft anti-collision beacons must be switched on before engine is started, or before push-back commences.

3.4

The push-back supervisor shall maintain a full view of the aircraft and all members of the ground crew. The IATA standardized visual signs should be used.

3.5

Wing walkers are in position to safeguard the movement of the aircraft from inadvertent intruders.

Hong Kong International Airport

AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANUAL – AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

4.

5.

D-4-2 31 December 2014

3.6

During the push-back, aircraft engine power must not exceed idle setting. In order to reduce jet blast hazard on the apron, pilots must maintain minimum engine power for breakaway and during taxiing.

3.7

Push-back crew shall ensure their standby location is free from jet blast hazard after completion of the pushback and when the aircraft start self-taxi. Pushback crew shall take shelter inside a vehicle if necessary.

Push-back Routing 4.1

Use of aircraft engine power above idle power is strictly prohibited on designated sections of the taxilane in order to safeguard apron activities on the aircraft stands from potential jet blast hazard. These designated zones are shown on the schematic in Appendix 2 of this Part.

4.2

Aircraft push-back shall follow prescribed standard routing specified by the ATC-GMC, or specific instructions when the aircraft is required to follow non-standard routing. The standard push-back routes details for each aircraft stand are promulgated in the Aeronautical Information Publication (Hong Kong) in the AERODROME section (AD2-VHHH26A-G), copy of which is extracted as Appendix 2 of this Part. Tug Stop Point ground markings on the taxilane are provided to facilitate tug drivers to observe the extended push back in order to ensure that aircraft on the taxilane attain a safe distance from adjacent ramp activities when breakaway engine power is applied.

Direct Taxi-out Operations 5.1

Aircraft departing from parking stands designated for direct taxi-out operations (Refer to Plan 2 in Part L) may direct taxi-out on its own power after obtaining ATC approval.

5.2

All drivers and personnel must exercise extra cautions when passing behind the aircraft to avoid any jet blast hazards. Drivers should stop and wait until the aircraft has completely taxied out from the stand if the aircraft anti-collision light is switched on.

Hong Kong International Airport

AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANUAL – AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

6.

D-4-3 31 May 2012

Aircraft Towing 6.1

General procedure for aircraft towing 6.1.1 Aircraft are required to be repositioned by towing between parking stands within apron or between aprons due to stand allocation or aircraft maintenance requirement. 6.1.2 Aircraft towing shall be carried out only by qualified staff in accordance with the Hong Kong AIP, Aerodrome AD 1.1 Para.13.7. 6.1.3 When the aircraft is ready for towing, the aircraft towing crew must: (a)

confirm the designated parking stand with Apron Control Centre (ACC) on TMR ACC8;

(b)

switch on the aircraft transponder;

(c)

select code “2000”;

(d)

make sure Mode C (altitude) is selected; and

(e)

contact ATC on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3 for permission to tow.

6.1.4 In case the transponder of the aircraft on tow is unserviceable, the tractor driver must notify ATC on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3. 6.1.5 Aircraft towing shall follow the routing designated by ATC and in compliance to the company operating procedures and safety precautions specific to the aircraft types. 6.2

Procedures for aircraft towing that require crossing South Runway Aircraft towing between the Cargo Apron and Maintenance Apron requires crossing of the South Runway. In view of the safety implication to runway operations caused by aircraft crossing, this procedure must be strictly complied with. 6.2.1 Aircraft towing between the Cargo Apron and Maintenance Apron shall be carried out only by qualified staff in accordance with the Hong Kong AIP, Aerodromes AD 1.1 Para.13.7 (Persons Qualified to Tow Aircraft) and further certified by the Airport Authority (AA) for towing of aircraft on runway and taxiways.

Hong Kong International Airport

AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANUAL – AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

D-4-4 31 July 2015

6.2.2 Aircraft towing between the Cargo Apron and Maintenance Apron will not be permitted when visibility is less than 3km. 6.2.3 In order to expedite towing of aircraft between the Cargo Apron and Maintenance Apron, towbarless tractor should be deployed whenever possible. 6.2.4 Direct 3-way intercom communication link between the brakerider, the headset man and the tractor driver must be maintained throughout the towing. 6.2.5 The following actions must be taken by the towing crew for each phase of the aircraft movement: (a)

Before commencement of tow 

 (b)

Towing on taxiway 

(c)

The tractor driver will call ACC on TMR ACC8 to confirm the parking stand and ATC (Call sign: Control Tower) on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3 to obtain towing route and clearance to proceed.

Runway holding point 

(d)

Line Maintenance or Airline to contact ACC giving details of airline, aircraft type, aircraft registration and location via TMR ACC8 when the aircraft is ready for towing. ACC will then confirm the parking stand.

When approaching the runway holding point on Taxiway J or K, the tractor driver will report to ATC on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3. ATC will instruct him to contact Hong Kong Tower (Call sign: Tower South) on VHF 118.4 MHZ. The tractor driver will pass the message to the headset man who will then relay the message to the brake-rider in the aircraft cockpit.

Crossing runway 



The brake-rider will establish contact with Hong Kong Tower (Call sign: Tower South) on VHF 118.4 MHz to request clearance to cross the runway using standard radio-telephony phraseologies. If clearance is not obtained, the brake-rider will inform the headset man who will then relay the message to the

Hong Kong International Airport

AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANUAL – AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

D-4-5 20 Nov 2015

tractor driver and the tractor driver must stop before the runway holding point. 

(e)

Aircraft towing on the parallel taxiway to the stand  

(f)

When clearance is obtained, the brake-rider will inform the headset man who will then relay the message to the tractor driver. Tractor driver is required to check the red stopbar lights at the runway holding point being off prior to crossing runway. If not, the tractor driver must stop before the runway holding point, ask the headset man who will then ask the brake rider to seek clarification from ATC. The brake-rider will immediately report to Hong Kong Tower when the aircraft has vacated the runway. Hong Kong Tower will then instruct the brakerider to change back to VHF 121.7 MHz.

The tractor driver will call ATC (Call sign: Control Tower) on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3 to obtain towing route and clearance to proceed. The tractor driver will report to ATC (Call sign: Control Tower) on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3 and ACC on TMR ACC8 when aircraft chocked on the parking stand.

Special aircraft towing procedure during South Runway closure 

When approaching the runway holding point on Taxiway J or K, the tractor driver will report to ATC on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3. ATC will either: (i)

(ii)

instruct him to contact ATC Hong Kong Tower South on VHF 118.4 MHz for clearance to cross the runway following item (d) and (e) in the above; or directly issue runway crossing clearance on VHF 121.7 MHz or TMR ACC3 to cross the closed runway using standard phraseology which explicitly includes the phrase “ 橫 過 跑 道 ” in Cantonese. The tractor driver will immediately report to ATC when the aircraft has vacated the runway. Follow item (e) in the above and tow the aircraft to the stand.

6.2.6 In order to be qualified for aircraft towing involving runway crossing, aircraft maintenance franchisees and HKBAC should arrange for certification of their aircraft towing crew or, alternatively, employ the services of certified personnel. Request for towing crew certification which comprises runway Hong Kong International Airport

AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANUAL – AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

D-4-6 20 Nov 2015

familiarization and radio technique should be made to the Assistant General Manager, Standards and Service Delivery of Airfield Department (AA). 7.

Centralized Aircraft Tractor Deployment Procedure 7.1

In order to ensure smooth and efficient airport operation under major disruption caused by inclement weather, massive flow control or other emergency situations, with the support from the airline operators at HKIA, the Airport Authority will activate a Centralized Aircraft Tractor Deployment Procedure (“Procedure”) to prioritize the deployment of aircraft tractors and LMO towing crews (“Tractor”) for aircraft towing and pushback.

7.2

Activation of Procedure The Authority will assess the airport situation based on the weather forecast by the Meteorological Office of Hong Kong Observatory, flow control condition advised by the HK ATC, current and forecast apron parking situation, and the mix of arrival and departure movements in the previous and the following hours, to send out alerting SMS messages by the Integrated Airport Centre (“IAC”).

7.3

Procedure Implementation The Authority, via the IAC, will take over the prioritization of deployment of all available Tractors from the three line maintenance operators (LMO): 7.3.1 Top priority of tractors will be given to departure flights ready for pushback. The Authority will closely monitor the ground operation status and liaise with ATC to facilitate the pushbacks. 7.3.2 Aircraft occupying frontal stands of no departure plan or prolonged delay will be towed to remote or long-term parking stands. Tractors will be assigned by the Authority to reposition the aircraft as soon as possible to vacate the stands for other live flight operations. 7.3.3 Aircraft need to be towed from remote or long-term parking stands to frontal stands for departure will be facilitated by the Authority with close coordination with HK ATC as far as practicable. 7.3.4 LMOs must strictly follow the instructions from the Authority on Tractors deployment and must not hold up Tractors for any particular airlines when the Procedure is activated.

Hong Kong International Airport