AIRMANSHIP 1

ACP 34 AIRCRAFT OPERATION

Part 2

Areas beyond the end of runways are provided for accidental or emergency use by aircraft.

These areas are cleared of any obstacles, have an even surface and are capable of supporting aircraft without seriously damaging the undercarriage.

Overrun areas can also have large barriers made of large strong nets made of nylon rope.

If a fast jet experiences brake failure & overruns, the net will catch the aircraft, stopping it with minimum risk of damage to the aircraft or injury to crew.

Over Run areas & Arrester Barriers:

ORPs are specially prepared areas (associated with fighter or Strike airfields).

They are used for parking aircraft for rapid take-off (scramble) or for final flight preparation.

The platforms are usually marked with taxying lines and areas set aside for essential ground equipment.

Operational Readiness Platforms (ORPs):

Many RAF airfields still used widely dispersed areas for parking aircraft.

The aim is to spread the aircraft around to make it more difficult for enemy aircraft to damage or destroy parked aircraft during attack.

Some airfields have Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) which are made of reinforced concrete.

Dispersal Hardstandings:

ASPs are large paved areas for the servicing & turn-round of aircraft.

They also facilitate handling of passengers & freight.

They are usually rectangular, with wide access tracks and close by to hangers.

Aircraft Servicing Platforms (ASPs):

Construction: Taxiways connect all various parts of the aircraft manoeuvring areas (e.g. dispersal to runway, ORP to runway etc.

Taxiways are usually constructed in the same way as runways and are normally 15m wide minimum.

Markings: Taxiway markings are in YELLOW.

Centre Line: This is indicated by a solid or broken yellow line.

Edge Marking: Usually dashed yellow lines where there is little contrast between the taxiway & surrounding area.

Holding Position: A junction of the taxiway – aircraft stop at these points until they are cleared to carry on. There is also a holding position sign displaying the runway number. The holding position is usually 70m away from the edge of the runway.

Taxiways:

Normally, there are 2 or more windsocks.

These enable the indication of wind direction on the airfield.

They are positioned away from trees and buildings which may cause wind turbulence.

The main windsock (the one least subject to local effects) has a white ring round it’s base.

Windsocks:

Any object that might be hit by a taxying aircraft, or by one landing or taking off, is an obstruction. These could be:

Buildings Groups of working personnel. Vehicles.

Obstructions must be clearly marked both by day & night.

Vehicles are usually painted yellow, personnel wear high visibility vests if working etc.

Obstructions:

Each Airfield is identified by means of 2 letters – e.g. SY for Shawbury.

These letters are normally displayed in a ‘Signals Square’ close to the ATC Tower.

At Airfields with ID Beacons, the same letters are used by the beacon – flashing them in Morse code.

Airfield Identification:

RAF Airfields used for night flying have a mass of lights designed to assist pilots to taxi, take off and land aircraft safely.

Many of these lights are hooded so they can only be seen from a certain angle.

Mains electricity is used to power the lighting however alternative modes/systems of supply are used in the case of power cuts.

Airfield Lighting:

The Main Types of Lighting are:The Main Types of Lighting are:

Airfield ID Beacon. The ID Beacon is an open space within the airfield and it flashes the airfield ID letters in Morse code in a high intensity RED light.

Obstruction Lights. ALL high buildings, towers, hangers, masts and other high structures are marked by RED obstruction lights.

Floodlighting. ASP’s are often lit by powerful floodlights set on pylons. Sodium lights on the ground or on short poles can also be seen.

Taxiway Lights. Taxiways which are less than 18m wide are marked by BLUE lights along each side.

Above 18m wide, they are marked only along the centre line and the lights are GREEN.

Location & Types of Lighting:

Location &Types of Lighting (Continued):

Holding Position. Holding position signs are illuminated at night by either their own lighting (New version) or by a triangle of BLUE lights fixed to the boards (Older Models).

Approach Lighting. This is usually installed outside the airfield set on poles, to form a special pattern. This helps the pilot judge the aircraft’s height and to line up with the runway.

These high intensity WHITEWHITE lights help in poor conditions by day, as well as night, in helping the pilot to find the approach path visually, towards the end of the radio or radar controlled approach.

Threshold Lights. These are marked by a row of GREEN lights at the touchdown end, plus ‘wings’ of 3 GREEN lights on each side of the runway.

Runway Lights. Main runways have high intensity unidirectional edge lights (seen only from the direction of landing) plus some omnidirectional edge lights which shine in all directions and can be seen from flying aircraft. A pilot can use these for night circuit training thus identifying his/her position.

Location &Types of Lighting (Continued):

ANY QUESTIONS?

Questions for YOU!

What Type of Arrester Gear does the RAF use?RHAG System.

What does HAS stand for?Hardened Aircraft Shelter.

What colour are obstruction lights on High buildings within Aircraft Operations?Red.

How far is the Holding Position situated from the edge of the runway?70m.