Chapter 8- Flight Line and Front Desk Operations

AST 205

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What are some activities that take place on the flight line?

• Fueling

• Repositioning aircraft

• Line maintenance- sometimes

• Aircraft servicing- lav. Pre-heat, cleaning, etc.

• Passenger transportation

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Importance of the Flight Line

• It is generally the first impression your customer will have of your operation

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Important aspects of a well managed flight line:

• -Courteous personnel- regardless of pilot

• -Prompt Service- have A/C fueled & ready– ie. Preheated

• -Efficient- minimize pax. Delay esp. Fueling

• -Attn. To Detail- fuel spillage, windows etc.

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Flight Line Operational Considerations

• -Do line personnel monitor tower?

• -Are personnel equipped with radios to

• communicate with the front desk?

• -How will you attract flight crews to your

• Ramp? Flagman, “follow me” truck, etc.

• -What transportation arrangements have

• Been made for pax. & flt. Crews

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Important line layout considerations:

• -visibility- for landing traffic

• -well marked

• -well maintained- pavement/stripes/ropes

• -plenty of space

• -clean appearance- discourage poorly

• kept aircraft

• -(Invite the Tower personnel to your Christmas party)

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Flight Line Training

• The flight line can be a hazardous place so proper training and protection is a must:– Awareness of ramp hazards- jet blast, noise,

visibility, protection from the elements, protection of passengers etc. fire hazards (i.e. cell phones), proper grounding/bonding procedures, spillage procedures.

– Also training in- correct fuel grade/aircraft identification, fuel fill systems, ATC phraseology, hand signals, etc.

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MOGAS- auto fuel

• -Use only in low compression engines

• -Must see placard before fueling (STC)

• -Very susceptible to contamination/moisture

• -Shorter storage life- varnish

• -Quality harder to control- Major Co’s only

•-May be a large source of revenue

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Self-refueling

• Individual– Hazardous- outside only

– spillage destroys asphalt over time

– Airport should have a policy and can charge a flowage fee.

– Corporate• turning to self fueling for several reasons:

• lower cost

• reduced fueling errors

• less time consumed

• more control/security

• *This can be discouraged by quality service

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Self Serve/Pay at the pump are also becoming the trend

at FBO’s. Advantages are:

• Fuel available at all hours- convenience

• Less cost to customer

• Can be a selling point for your operation

• *Others might not want it

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Front Desk

• The “nerve center” of the operation

• The interface between the gen. Public & Avn.

• Front Desk Considerations:– neat orderly appearance

– full time attentive personnel

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Duties of the Front Desk Attendant

• Financial transactions for all operations

• Unicom

• Arrange a/c movements

• Directs customers to proper place

• Arrange ground transportation/lodging

• Keeps guest log*

• *Should be a good people person

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Other FBO Customer facilities consist of:

• Lounge/restroom facility – Comfortable couches/recliners

– T.V.

– Books/Mags.

– Quiet/Dark Atmosphere

– Phones/internet connection

– Restrooms should be clean

– Other...

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And the Flight Planning Area

• Flight Planning area

• Wall Chart

• FSS phone w/ instructions

• big table

• online wx./ flight planning service

• PC with internet connectionFacility Directory- AOPA, JEPP, ACUKwik

• Other...

• *Overall neat appearance is imperative

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The End