Agent de piste
A ground operations staff member responsible for guiding aircraft to and from gates, loading and unloading baggage, and ensuring ramp safety protocols.
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Ground Ops
Browse Ground Ops terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.
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Agent de signalisation
A person responsible for providing visual signals to guide aircraft during parking, pushback, or maneuvering on the apron or ramp areas.
View termAir préconditionné
Air that has been heated or cooled and dehumidified before being supplied to an aircraft on the ground.
View termAlimentation tapis activée
Controller or ramp-agent confirmation that the motorised baggage conveyor belt is energised and ready for loading or off-loading operations.
View termAssistance en escale
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 termASU connecté
Confirmation that the Air Start Unit is attached and supplying pneumatic power for engine start procedures on the ground.
View termBalise allumée
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 termBarre de remorquage
A metal bar used to connect an aircraft's nose gear to a pushback tractor for towing or pushback operations.
View termBorne de Ravitaillement
An underground fueling system point on the apron where aircraft can be refueled directly through a hydrant instead of fuel trucks.
View termCales
Wedges placed in front of and behind aircraft wheels to prevent movement when parked.
View termCales retirées
A confirmation from ground crew that all wheel chocks have been removed and the aircraft is clear to move.
View termCamion de restauration
A ground service vehicle used to deliver food and beverages to an aircraft, typically accessing the rear or forward service doors.
View termChangement de porte
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 termChargeur de conteneurs
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 termChargeur haute levée
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 termChargeur à bande
A motorized vehicle equipped with a conveyor belt for loading and unloading baggage or cargo into aircraft holds.
View termChariot porte-fret
A small wheeled platform or trailer used on the ramp to transport ULDs, baggage containers, or cargo pallets between aircraft and terminals.
View termChariot à bagages
A vehicle used to transport checked baggage between the aircraft and the terminal during ground handling operations.
View termChef de Rampe
A supervisory ground crew member responsible for coordinating ramp operations and leading a team during aircraft turnaround activities.
View termClair à droite
Confirmation that the aircraft’s right side is unobstructed prior to manoeuvre, ensuring wingtip and engine clearance.
View termClair à gauche
Visual confirmation that the aircraft’s left side is free of obstacles, vehicles or traffic before turning or taxiing.
View termContrôle de chargement
Airline or ground-handling department responsible for planning, monitoring and approving aircraft loads, weight and balance.
View termCône de sécurité
A brightly colored, cone-shaped marker placed around aircraft or equipment to designate safety zones and prevent collisions during ground operations.
View termCôté piste
The part of an airport accessible to aircraft, including runways, taxiways, and ramps, but restricted to authorized personnel.
View termDanger d'Aspiration
The danger posed by the suction force of a running jet engine's intake, which can pull in objects or personnel nearby.
View termDégagement des Extrémités d'Aile
The ensured safe distance between an aircraft’s wingtip and any obstacle, structure, or another aircraft during taxiing or parking.
View termDégagement moteur
Ground instruction for pilots to apply brief higher thrust to overcome static friction and initiate taxi from standstill.
View termDélai minimum d'escale
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 termDéplacement du centrage
Change in the aircraft’s centre of gravity caused by fuel burn, cargo movement or passenger redistribution, potentially affecting stability limits.
View termDésaccouple barre de remorquage
Ground-crew command to release the towbar from the aircraft nose-gear after pushback is complete and brakes set.
View termEscorte
The authorized accompaniment of an aircraft, vehicle, or personnel by an assigned entity, usually for safety or security purposes.
View termFeuille de chargement
Official weight-and-balance document detailing masses, fuel, distribution and calculated centre of gravity for a specific flight.
View termFeux anticollision
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 termGoupille de dérivation
A safety locking pin inserted into the nose gear steering system to disable nose wheel steering during towing or pushback operations.
View termGPU connecté
Confirmation that the Ground Power Unit is attached and supplying external electrical power to the aircraft while on the ground.
View termIndicateur de temps au sol
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 termInspection des débris étrangers
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 termLigne diagonale de traversée
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 termLigne directrice de roulage
A painted marking on an airport surface that provides directional guidance for aircraft taxiing along specific routes.
View termMarche arrière moteur interdite
A restriction prohibiting aircraft from using engine thrust in reverse to move backward from the gate or stand.
View termmarcheur d’aile
Ground personnel positioned at each wingtip to ensure safe clearance of obstacles during aircraft ground movements.
View termopérateur casque
A ground crew member responsible for direct communication with the flight deck during pushback and engine start via interphone system.
View termopérateur de freins
A qualified person seated in the cockpit of a towed aircraft responsible for applying brakes if necessary during towing or pushback operations.
View termPalette de fret
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 termPanneau de Carburant
An external aircraft access panel containing controls and connections for fuel loading operations, typically located under the wing or fuselage.
View termPanneau STOP
A clearly marked sign on the apron or taxiway instructing aircraft or vehicles to come to a complete stop and await further clearance.
View termPasserelle télescopique
An enclosed, movable connector that extends from the airport terminal gate to an aircraft door for passenger boarding and disembarkation.
View termPonctualité des vols
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 termPorte cargo
Large exterior hinged or plug-type door on the aircraft fuselage used for loading and unloading freight or baggage containers.
View termPorte fermée
Indicates that all required aircraft doors are physically closed, typically before engine start or pushback.
View termPorte ouverte
Confirms that one or more aircraft doors are physically open, typically during boarding, deplaning, or servicing.
View termPoste éloigné
An aircraft parking stand located away from the terminal building, typically requiring bus transport for passengers.
View termPostes de Stationnement
Designated areas on the apron where aircraft are parked for boarding, servicing, or loading/unloading operations.
View termRecyclage avion
The time taken to unload an arriving aircraft and prepare it for departure, including disembarkation, cleaning, refueling, catering, and boarding.
View termRepoussage retardé
Notification that pushback clearance or procedure is postponed due to operational, technical, or ATC constraints.
View termService d'eau potable
Ground operation involving the refilling of an aircraft’s drinking water tanks with safe, clean, and potable water.
View termService des toilettes
Ground service involving the emptying, cleaning, and replenishing of aircraft lavatory systems.
View termSouffle de Réacteur
The high-speed exhaust from a jet engine, which can cause damage or injury if encountered by personnel or equipment.
View termSoute vrac
Small aft or forward lower-deck compartment used for loose bags, live animals, or outsized items not loaded in containers or pallets.
View termSécurité sur l'aire de trafic
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 termTemps au Sol
The total duration an aircraft spends on the ground between landing and takeoff, including taxiing, servicing, and boarding operations.
View termToboggans armés
Confirms that the emergency evacuation slides are engaged and will deploy automatically if the door is opened.
View termToboggans désarmés
Indicates that the emergency evacuation slides are disengaged from the doors and will not deploy if the door is opened.
View termTout dégagé
Final ramp-crew signal that all personnel, equipment and pin checks are complete; aircraft environs safe for taxi or engine start.
View termTracteur de repoussage
A motorized ground vehicle used to push aircraft backwards from the gate or parking position, typically before engine start.
View termTracteur sans barre de remorquage
A powered ground vehicle that lifts the aircraft's nose gear and tows it without the need for a separate towbar.
View termUnité d'alimentation au sol
A mobile or fixed unit that supplies electrical power to an aircraft on the ground when the engines or APU are not running.
View termUnité de chargement
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 termUnité de démarrage pneumatique
A device used to start an aircraft's engines by supplying high-pressure air.
View termvéhicule suiveur
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 termZone d’essai moteur
A designated ground location where aircraft engines may be operated at power levels above idle for maintenance or operational checks.
View termZone sécurisée
A designated zone within an airport or airside area where access is restricted to authorized personnel for security purposes.
View term