acompañante de ala
Ground personnel positioned at each wingtip to ensure safe clearance of obstacles during aircraft ground movements.
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Ground Ops
Browse Ground Ops terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.
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Agente de rampa
A ground operations staff member responsible for guiding aircraft to and from gates, loading and unloading baggage, and ensuring ramp safety protocols.
View termAire preacondicionado
Air that has been heated or cooled and dehumidified before being supplied to an aircraft on the ground.
View termASU conectado
Confirmation that the Air Start Unit is attached and supplying pneumatic power for engine start procedures on the ground.
View termBaliza encendida
Indicates that the aircraft's anti-collision beacon lights have been switched on, typically prior to engine start, signaling that engines may be running or about to start.
View termBarra de remolque
A metal bar used to connect an aircraft's nose gear to a pushback tractor for towing or pushback operations.
View termBodega a granel
Small aft or forward lower-deck compartment used for loose bags, live animals, or outsized items not loaded in containers or pallets.
View termCalzos
Wedges placed in front of and behind aircraft wheels to prevent movement when parked.
View termCalzos retirados
A confirmation from ground crew that all wheel chocks have been removed and the aircraft is clear to move.
View termCambio de puerta
A revision in the assigned boarding or arrival gate for an aircraft, typically communicated via airport operations or ATC if it affects surface movement.
View termCamión de catering
A ground service vehicle used to deliver food and beverages to an aircraft, typically accessing the rear or forward service doors.
View termCargador de cinta
A motorized vehicle equipped with a conveyor belt for loading and unloading baggage or cargo into aircraft holds.
View termCargador de contenedores
A type of ground service equipment used to lift and load cargo containers or Unit Load Devices (ULDs) into the aircraft's cargo hold.
View termCarro de carga
A small wheeled platform or trailer used on the ramp to transport ULDs, baggage containers, or cargo pallets between aircraft and terminals.
View termCarro de equipaje
A vehicle used to transport checked baggage between the aircraft and the terminal during ground handling operations.
View termChorro de Reacción
The high-speed exhaust from a jet engine, which can cause damage or injury if encountered by personnel or equipment.
View termCinta energizada
Controller or ramp-agent confirmation that the motorised baggage conveyor belt is energised and ready for loading or off-loading operations.
View termCono de seguridad
A brightly colored, cone-shaped marker placed around aircraft or equipment to designate safety zones and prevent collisions during ground operations.
View termControl de carga
Airline or ground-handling department responsible for planning, monitoring and approving aircraft loads, weight and balance.
View termDesenganchar barra de remolque
Ground-crew command to release the towbar from the aircraft nose-gear after pushback is complete and brakes set.
View termDesplazamiento del CG
Change in the aircraft’s centre of gravity caused by fuel burn, cargo movement or passenger redistribution, potentially affecting stability limits.
View termElevador de carga
A high-lift ground support equipment used to load and unload Unit Load Devices (ULDs) or pallets into aircraft cargo holds, typically at the main deck level.
View termEmpuje inicial
Ground instruction for pilots to apply brief higher thrust to overcome static friction and initiate taxi from standstill.
View termEmpuje retrasado
Notification that pushback clearance or procedure is postponed due to operational, technical, or ATC constraints.
View termEscolta
The authorized accompaniment of an aircraft, vehicle, or personnel by an assigned entity, usually for safety or security purposes.
View termGPU conectado
Confirmation that the Ground Power Unit is attached and supplying external electrical power to the aircraft while on the ground.
View termHidrante de Combustible
An underground fueling system point on the apron where aircraft can be refueled directly through a hydrant instead of fuel trucks.
View termHoja de carga
Official weight-and-balance document detailing masses, fuel, distribution and calculated centre of gravity for a specific flight.
View termIndicador de tiempo en tierra
A device or system that records or displays the elapsed time an aircraft spends on the ground between arrival and departure, primarily used for operational planning and monitoring ground handling efficiency.
View termInspección de objetos extraños
A visual and procedural inspection of airport movement areas, particularly runways, taxiways, and aprons, to identify and remove Foreign Object Debris (FOD) that could endanger aircraft safety.
View termJefe de Rampa
A supervisory ground crew member responsible for coordinating ramp operations and leading a team during aircraft turnaround activities.
View termLibre a la derecha
Confirmation that the aircraft’s right side is unobstructed prior to manoeuvre, ensuring wingtip and engine clearance.
View termLibre a la izquierda
Visual confirmation that the aircraft’s left side is free of obstacles, vehicles or traffic before turning or taxiing.
View termLuces anticolisión
High-intensity red or white lights installed on an aircraft and activated before engine start and during all movement to alert others to the presence of the aircraft.
View termLínea de guía de rodaje
A painted marking on an airport surface that provides directional guidance for aircraft taxiing along specific routes.
View termLínea diagonal de cruce
A painted or marked line intersecting taxiways or apron areas at an angle, indicating where to cross or not cross as instructed by ATC or ground marshallers.
View termoperador de auriculares
A ground crew member responsible for direct communication with the flight deck during pushback and engine start via interphone system.
View termoperador de frenos
A qualified person seated in the cockpit of a towed aircraft responsible for applying brakes if necessary during towing or pushback operations.
View termPalé de carga
A flat transport structure used as a base for Unit Load Devices (ULDs) or loose cargo, designed to be moved by forklifts or loaders and secured in aircraft cargo compartments.
View termPanel de Combustible
An external aircraft access panel containing controls and connections for fuel loading operations, typically located under the wing or fuselage.
View termPasador de bypass
A safety locking pin inserted into the nose gear steering system to disable nose wheel steering during towing or pushback operations.
View termPasarela telescópica
An enclosed, movable connector that extends from the airport terminal gate to an aircraft door for passenger boarding and disembarkation.
View termPeligro de Succión
The danger posed by the suction force of a running jet engine's intake, which can pull in objects or personnel nearby.
View termPlataformas de Estacionamiento
Designated areas on the apron where aircraft are parked for boarding, servicing, or loading/unloading operations.
View termPlaza remota
An aircraft parking stand located away from the terminal building, typically requiring bus transport for passengers.
View termProhibido retroceso con motores
A restriction prohibiting aircraft from using engine thrust in reverse to move backward from the gate or stand.
View termPuerta abierta
Confirms that one or more aircraft doors are physically open, typically during boarding, deplaning, or servicing.
View termPuerta cerrada
Indicates that all required aircraft doors are physically closed, typically before engine start or pushback.
View termPuerta de carga
Large exterior hinged or plug-type door on the aircraft fuselage used for loading and unloading freight or baggage containers.
View termPuntualidad operativa
A metric reflecting the punctuality of flights, indicating whether aircraft departures or arrivals occurred at the scheduled times according to the airline’s published timetable.
View termRampas armadas
Confirms that the emergency evacuation slides are engaged and will deploy automatically if the door is opened.
View termRampas desarmadas
Indicates that the emergency evacuation slides are disengaged from the doors and will not deploy if the door is opened.
View termSeguridad en plataforma
Operational procedures and regulations ensuring the safe movement and coordination of aircraft, vehicles, and personnel in the airport ramp area, including apron and stand zones.
View termSeparación de Punta de Ala
The ensured safe distance between an aircraft’s wingtip and any obstacle, structure, or another aircraft during taxiing or parking.
View termServicio de agua potable
Ground operation involving the refilling of an aircraft’s drinking water tanks with safe, clean, and potable water.
View termServicio de lavabo
Ground service involving the emptying, cleaning, and replenishing of aircraft lavatory systems.
View termServicios en tierra
All services required by an aircraft between landing and take-off, excluding air traffic control services. This includes baggage handling, refueling, catering, and aircraft marshaling.
View termSeñal de parada
A clearly marked sign on the apron or taxiway instructing aircraft or vehicles to come to a complete stop and await further clearance.
View termSeñalero de plataforma
A person responsible for providing visual signals to guide aircraft during parking, pushback, or maneuvering on the apron or ramp areas.
View termTiempo de escala
The time taken to unload an arriving aircraft and prepare it for departure, including disembarkation, cleaning, refueling, catering, and boarding.
View termTiempo en Tierra
The total duration an aircraft spends on the ground between landing and takeoff, including taxiing, servicing, and boarding operations.
View termTiempo mínimo de escala
The shortest permissible time required for an aircraft turnaround, defined by airline procedures and airport resources to ensure rapid departure and compliance with operational schedules.
View termTodo despejado
Final ramp-crew signal that all personnel, equipment and pin checks are complete; aircraft environs safe for taxi or engine start.
View termTractor de remolque
A motorized ground vehicle used to push aircraft backwards from the gate or parking position, typically before engine start.
View termTractor sin barra de remolque
A powered ground vehicle that lifts the aircraft's nose gear and tows it without the need for a separate towbar.
View termUnidad de arranque neumático
A device used to start an aircraft's engines by supplying high-pressure air.
View termUnidad de carga
Unit Load Device — a pallet or container used to load freight, mail, and baggage into aircraft cargo holds, standardized to facilitate handling and loading.
View termUnidad de energía terrestre
A mobile or fixed unit that supplies electrical power to an aircraft on the ground when the engines or APU are not running.
View termvehículo guía
A ground vehicle used to guide arriving or departing aircraft along taxiways or on the apron, especially in low visibility or complex airport layouts.
View termZona aire
The part of an airport accessible to aircraft, including runways, taxiways, and ramps, but restricted to authorized personnel.
View termÁrea de prueba de motores
A designated ground location where aircraft engines may be operated at power levels above idle for maintenance or operational checks.
View termÁrea segura
A designated zone within an airport or airside area where access is restricted to authorized personnel for security purposes.
View term