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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 pista

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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Alteração de portão

A revision in the assigned boarding or arrival gate for an aircraft, typically communicated via airport operations or ATC if it affects surface movement.

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Ar pré-condicionado

Air that has been heated or cooled and dehumidified before being supplied to an aircraft on the ground.

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ASU conectado

Confirmation that the Air Start Unit is attached and supplying pneumatic power for engine start procedures on the ground.

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Barra de reboque

A metal bar used to connect an aircraft's nose gear to a pushback tractor for towing or pushback operations.

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Calços

Wedges placed in front of and behind aircraft wheels to prevent movement when parked.

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Calços removidos

A confirmation from ground crew that all wheel chocks have been removed and the aircraft is clear to move.

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Caminhão de catering

A ground service vehicle used to deliver food and beverages to an aircraft, typically accessing the rear or forward service doors.

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Carregador de alta elevação

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.

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Carregador de contêiner

A type of ground service equipment used to lift and load cargo containers or Unit Load Devices (ULDs) into the aircraft's cargo hold.

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Carregador de esteira

A motorized vehicle equipped with a conveyor belt for loading and unloading baggage or cargo into aircraft holds.

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Carrinho de bagagem

A vehicle used to transport checked baggage between the aircraft and the terminal during ground handling operations.

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Carrinho de carga

A small wheeled platform or trailer used on the ramp to transport ULDs, baggage containers, or cargo pallets between aircraft and terminals.

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Cone de segurança

A brightly colored, cone-shaped marker placed around aircraft or equipment to designate safety zones and prevent collisions during ground operations.

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Controle de carga

Airline or ground-handling department responsible for planning, monitoring and approving aircraft loads, weight and balance.

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Desacoplar barra de reboque

Ground-crew command to release the towbar from the aircraft nose-gear after pushback is complete and brakes set.

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Deslocamento do CG

Change in the aircraft’s centre of gravity caused by fuel burn, cargo movement or passenger redistribution, potentially affecting stability limits.

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Escolta

The authorized accompaniment of an aircraft, vehicle, or personnel by an assigned entity, usually for safety or security purposes.

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Escorregadores armados

Confirms that the emergency evacuation slides are engaged and will deploy automatically if the door is opened.

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Escorregadores desarmados

Indicates that the emergency evacuation slides are disengaged from the doors and will not deploy if the door is opened.

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escudeiro de asa

Ground personnel positioned at each wingtip to ensure safe clearance of obstacles during aircraft ground movements.

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Estacionamento remoto

An aircraft parking stand located away from the terminal building, typically requiring bus transport for passengers.

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Esteira energizada

Controller or ramp-agent confirmation that the motorised baggage conveyor belt is energised and ready for loading or off-loading operations.

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Finger

An enclosed, movable connector that extends from the airport terminal gate to an aircraft door for passenger boarding and disembarkation.

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Folga da Ponta da Asa

The ensured safe distance between an aircraft’s wingtip and any obstacle, structure, or another aircraft during taxiing or parking.

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Folha de carga

Official weight-and-balance document detailing masses, fuel, distribution and calculated centre of gravity for a specific flight.

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GPU conectado

Confirmation that the Ground Power Unit is attached and supplying external electrical power to the aircraft while on the ground.

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Hidrante de Combustível

An underground fueling system point on the apron where aircraft can be refueled directly through a hydrant instead of fuel trucks.

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Impulso de motor

Ground instruction for pilots to apply brief higher thrust to overcome static friction and initiate taxi from standstill.

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Indicador de tempo em solo

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.

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Jato de Reação

The high-speed exhaust from a jet engine, which can cause damage or injury if encountered by personnel or equipment.

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Lado ar

The part of an airport accessible to aircraft, including runways, taxiways, and ramps, but restricted to authorized personnel.

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Linha de orientação de táxi

A painted marking on an airport surface that provides directional guidance for aircraft taxiing along specific routes.

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Linha diagonal de travessia

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.

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Livre à direita

Confirmation that the aircraft’s right side is unobstructed prior to manoeuvre, ensuring wingtip and engine clearance.

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Livre à esquerda

Visual confirmation that the aircraft’s left side is free of obstacles, vehicles or traffic before turning or taxiing.

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Luz de beacon ligada

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.

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Luzes anti-colisão

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.

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Líder de Pátio

A supervisory ground crew member responsible for coordinating ramp operations and leading a team during aircraft turnaround activities.

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operador de freio

A qualified person seated in the cockpit of a towed aircraft responsible for applying brakes if necessary during towing or pushback operations.

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operador de headset

A ground crew member responsible for direct communication with the flight deck during pushback and engine start via interphone system.

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Painel de Combustível

An external aircraft access panel containing controls and connections for fuel loading operations, typically located under the wing or fuselage.

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Palete 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.

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Perigo de Sucção

The danger posed by the suction force of a running jet engine's intake, which can pull in objects or personnel nearby.

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Pino de bypass

A safety locking pin inserted into the nose gear steering system to disable nose wheel steering during towing or pushback operations.

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Placa de pare

A clearly marked sign on the apron or taxiway instructing aircraft or vehicles to come to a complete stop and await further clearance.

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Pontualidade operacional

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.

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Porta aberta

Confirms that one or more aircraft doors are physically open, typically during boarding, deplaning, or servicing.

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Porta de carga

Large exterior hinged or plug-type door on the aircraft fuselage used for loading and unloading freight or baggage containers.

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Porta fechada

Indicates that all required aircraft doors are physically closed, typically before engine start or pushback.

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Porão a granel

Small aft or forward lower-deck compartment used for loose bags, live animals, or outsized items not loaded in containers or pallets.

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Posições de Estacionamento

Designated areas on the apron where aircraft are parked for boarding, servicing, or loading/unloading operations.

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Proibido recuo com motor

A restriction prohibiting aircraft from using engine thrust in reverse to move backward from the gate or stand.

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Push atrasado

Notification that pushback clearance or procedure is postponed due to operational, technical, or ATC constraints.

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Segurança na pista de manobras

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.

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Serviço de lavatório

Ground service involving the emptying, cleaning, and replenishing of aircraft lavatory systems.

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Serviço de água potável

Ground operation involving the refilling of an aircraft’s drinking water tanks with safe, clean, and potable water.

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Serviços de solo

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.

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Sinaleiro

A person responsible for providing visual signals to guide aircraft during parking, pushback, or maneuvering on the apron or ramp areas.

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Tempo de revezamento

The time taken to unload an arriving aircraft and prepare it for departure, including disembarkation, cleaning, refueling, catering, and boarding.

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Tempo em Solo

The total duration an aircraft spends on the ground between landing and takeoff, including taxiing, servicing, and boarding operations.

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Tempo 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.

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Trator de pushback

A motorized ground vehicle used to push aircraft backwards from the gate or parking position, typically before engine start.

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Trator sem barra de reboque

A powered ground vehicle that lifts the aircraft's nose gear and tows it without the need for a separate towbar.

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Tudo livre

Final ramp-crew signal that all personnel, equipment and pin checks are complete; aircraft environs safe for taxi or engine start.

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Unidade 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.

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Unidade de energia em solo

A mobile or fixed unit that supplies electrical power to an aircraft on the ground when the engines or APU are not running.

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Unidade de partida pneumática

A device used to start an aircraft's engines by supplying high-pressure air.

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Verificação de objetos estranhos

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.

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veículo de escolta

A ground vehicle used to guide arriving or departing aircraft along taxiways or on the apron, especially in low visibility or complex airport layouts.

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Área de teste de motor

A designated ground location where aircraft engines may be operated at power levels above idle for maintenance or operational checks.

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Área segura

A designated zone within an airport or airside area where access is restricted to authorized personnel for security purposes.

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