ILL 3300 10/01

PL 50, 01531 VANTAA, FINLAND, Tel. 358 (0)9 82 771, Fax 358 (0)9 82 772499 www.lentoturvallisuushallinto.fi

AVIATION REGULATION GEN M1-3muutos 012.6.2002

GROUND HANDLING AT AIRPORTS

This regulation has been issued by virtue of sections 17, 51 and 56 of the Aviation Act (281/1995) and section2 (as amended by Decree No 739/1998) of the Aviation Decree (118/1996), having regard to the EuropeanUnion Council Directive 96/67/EC. It shall enter into force on 1 August 2002, revoking the regulation GENM1-3 dated 3 December 1998.

1 APPLICABILITYThis Aviation Regulation shall be applied to airsideground handling services provided at Finnish air-ports to aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 10 000 kg or more, or with a maximumapproved passenger seating configuration of 20 ormore.

The regulation shall also apply to self-handling.

The provisions given in this regulation with regardto the managing body of the airport and the supplierof ground handling services shall be the minimumrequirements applicable to ground handling opera-tions.

Note 1: Although this regulation contains provisionsapplicable to aircraft operators, the operator still hasoverall responsibility for its operations as prescribedin operational regulations.Note 2: The provisions of EU Council Directive 96/67/EC in no way affect the rights and obligations ofMember States in respect of law and order, safetyand security at airports (Article 17).

2 DEFINITIONSFor the purpose of this regulation the following defi-nitions shall apply:

2.1 Aircraft operator’Aircraft operator’ means any natural or legal personwho has operational responsibility for the air trans-port.

2.2 Managing body of the airport’Managing body of the airport’ means a body which,in conjunction with other activities or not as the casemay be, has as its objective under national law (sec-tion 45 of the Aviation Act) the administration andmanagement of the airport infrastructures, and theco-ordination and control of the activities of differ-ent operators present in the airport or airport systemconcerned (consistent with the definition in the Di-rective).

2.3 Ground handling’Ground handling’ means the services provided toaircraft operators at airports as described in the An-nex to EU Council Directive 96/67/EC.

2.4 Supplier of ground handling services’Supplier of ground handling services’ means anynatural or legal person supplying aircraft operatorswith one or more categories of ground handlingservices (consistent with the definition in the Direc-tive).

2.5 Self-handling’Self-handling’ means a situation in which an air-craft operator directly provides for himself one ormore categories of ground handling services andconcludes no contract with a third party for the pro-vision of such services (consistent with the defini-tion in the Directive).

3 MANAGEMENT OF GROUND HAN-DLING SERVICES

3.1 GeneralThere must be an agreement on the provision ofground handling services between the managingbody of the airport and the supplier of ground han-dling services. The agreement must state any specialconditions applied at each particular airport.

The agreement shall present the current organisationof the supplier of ground handling services, the re-sponsible persons and their duties for each airportseparately.

Even in case of self-handling by the aircraft opera-tor, an agreement must be concluded with the man-aging body of the airport on the arrangement ofthese activities.

The supplier of ground handling services shall havesufficient financial resources to conduct the plannedactivities, considering their nature and extent. Wherethe supplier offers services to foreign aircraft opera-

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tors, it shall employ staff with sufficient languageskills for those services.

Provision of certain ground handling services re-quires a specific permission or approval from theCivil Aviation Administration, Flight Safety Author-ity, as described in Aviation Regulations under theseries AIR and OPS.

3.2 Responsibilities of the managing body of the airportWhere necessary, the managing body of the airportshall give instructions in respect of ground trafficand maintenance of law and order for the activitiesconducted on its premises, having regard to relevantAviation Regulations and other applicable provi-sions.

The managing body of the airport shall also approvethe general organisation of ground handling activi-ties within its own premises, select and appoint thesuppliers of ground handling services for the partic-ular airport, conclude written agreements with themand ensure the maintenance of law and order.

Note: Aircraft operators are always free to choosewhich supplier of ground handling services theywish to use among those allowed to operate at thatparticular airport.

In case the managing body of the airport itself sup-plies ground handling services, it shall also followthe rules and regulations applicable to ground han-dling (including paragraph 3.4), and have an ade-quate organisation, responsible persons and staff forthose operations.

3.3 Responsibilities of the aircraft opera-torAs the operator is responsible for the airworthinessof its aircraft, it shall oversee that flight safety re-quirements are met in ground handling services pro-vided to them. Therefore the aircraft operator mustensure that the supplier of ground handling serviceshas relevant instructions, tools and other equipmentavailable for the intended activities, and that its staffhave received appropriate training for the type of op-erations and aircraft used by the operator.

3.4 Responsibilities of the supplier of ground handling servicesThe supplier of ground handling services shall com-ply with the specific conditions set and instructionsgiven by the aircraft operator and the managingbody of the airport. The supplier must make surethat it has the necessary instructions, tools and otherequipment available for the intended activities, andthat its own and any subcontractors’ staff receive ap-propriate and sufficient training for their duties, pro-cedures in use, regulations concerning access con-

trol and working at airports, and applicable aviationregulations.

The Flight Safety Authority, managing body of theairport and aircraft operator have the right to inspectground handling activities. The supplier of groundhandling services is obliged to give them all infor-mation needed for the control of its own and anysubcontractors’ operations.

4 DETAILED PROVISIONS ON GROUND HANDLING SERVICES

4.1 Ramp handling4.1.1 Aircraft marshalling on the ground

The pilot-in-command or an aircraft maintenancetechnician with taxi rating is responsible for the air-craft when it is moved at the apron under its ownpower. Where a “Follow me” car or visual dockingguidance system is used or the aircraft is marshalledwith hand signals, the pilot-in-command or techni-cian shall follow the guidance given as far as safetyconsiderations permit. When marshalling with handsignals, the signals shown in Rules of the Air (seeAviation Regulation OPS M1-1) shall be used.

4.1.2 Parking assistance

Opening and closing of aircraft cargo doors, installa-tion and removal of wheel chocks, landing gear andcontrol surface locks, tail struts, pitot/static covers,heater, ground power unit, pneumatic ground start-ing unit and passenger/crew stairs, as well as othersimilar duties must be carried out in accordance withinstructions given by the aircraft operator.

Power in the ground power unit plug must be offwhen it is attached to the aircraft or removed from it.

4.1.3 Passenger safety measures

Safe movement of passengers at the apron must beensured.

When refuelling or defuelling an aircraft, necessaryprecautions shall be taken with regard to passengermovements (see Aviation Regulation AIR M1-12).

If passenger stairs are equipped with wheels, theyshall be locked in place or otherwise secured beforeuse to prevent movement.

4.1.4 Loading and unloading

Engines must be shut down before loading or un-loading an aircraft. However, in situations whereboth the ground power unit and auxiliary power unit(APU) are temporarily unserviceable or missing,loading and unloading may be carried out while theengine on the opposite side or the centre engine isrunning.

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After unloading, the cargo holds shall be inspectedfor damage, leakage or any remaining items.

Aircraft operator shall give loading instructions andsufficient guidance to the loader. The loader shallnominate a person responsible for the loading, andthe aircraft must be loaded in accordance with theoperator’s instructions. Special restrictions and re-porting duties apply to handling, stowage and otheroperations related to transport of baggage or cargocontainers labelled as containing dangerous goods(see Aviation Regulation OPS M1-18).

Cargo, baggage and other items, including ballastwhere applicable, shall be stowed in cargo holds ac-cording to the load plan. Any deviations from loadplan must be reported to the person preparing themass and balance documentation. The mass and bal-ance documentation must be submitted to the pilot-in-command’s approval in writing, except for minorlast minute changes, which shall be handled accord-ing to the aircraft operator’s established procedure.Written approval of the pilot-in-command may bereplaced by electronic means where a datalink isavailable and the aircraft operator has establishedappropriate procedures for its use.

4.1.5 Engine starting

When starting up aircraft engines, a sufficient drypowder extinguisher or equivalent means for firefighting must be available at the airport (see Avia-tion Regulation AGA M3-11).

4.1.6 Towing and push-back

Aircraft towing and push-back shall be carried outunder the supervision of a person assigned to thistask by the aircraft operator.

The supervisor shall be responsible for the safety ofthe operation. He/she must ensure that there is norisk of collision and that the aircraft is not inadvert-ently moved to the manoeuvring area.

Aircraft operator may transfer the supervising dutiesto the supplier of ground handling services by anagreement.

During towing and push-back, there must always bean appropriately trained person in the cockpit, whois authorised by the aircraft operator. He/she mustmaintain contact with the supervisor and, where nec-essary, with apron control or air traffic services unit.

Aircraft towing without an appropriately trained per-son in the cockpit is only permitted when the follow-ing conditions are met:

a) a separate tow bar is not used, but the tow trac-tor is attached directly to the aircraft nose land-ing gear wheel (towbarless towing);

b) the aircraft is equipped with a system whichprevents the towing from causing damage tonose wheel steering. Alternatively, the tow trac-tor must have a system which prevents the nosewheel turning limits from being exceeded, orthere is a system for warning the tow tractordriver when these limits are about to be exceed-ed;

c) the tow tractor driver has a radio telephone,which he/she can use to contact the apron con-trol or air traffic services unit where necessary.The driver must be trained to use the radio tele-phone;

d) the operator provides instructions to its person-nel on aircraft towing operations.

4.2 Aircraft servicing4.2.1 External and internal cleaning, heating, toilet and water services

External and internal cleaning of the aircraft, heatingand toilet and water services shall be carried out inaccordance with the aircraft operator’s instructions,with special regard for cockpit cleaning instructions.

Heating appliances used must be suitable for use inaircraft and in the particular aircraft type.

Before flight, the aircraft operator shall ensure thatcleaning, heating and toilet and water services havebeen carried out properly, in the interest of flightsafety.

4.2.2 De-icing and anti-icing

De-icing and anti-icing operations include removalof snow, ice and frost from the aircraft, measures toprevent the formation of ice, aircraft inspection afterde/anti-icing and informing the crew when the workhas been completed.

Unless otherwise specified or approved by the FlightSafety Authority, the procedures used in aircraft de/anti-icing must be in compliance with ICAO docu-ment “Manual of Aircraft Ground De/anti-icing Op-erations” (ICAO Doc. 9640- AN/940). The opera-tions shall also meet the requirements contained inAviation Regulations or set by the aircraft operator.

The pilot-in-command shall be responsible for de-ciding whether de/anti-icing is needed and ensuringthat he/she is adequately informed of the measurestaken. He/she shall also accept the report on de/anti-icing operations performed.

The supplier of ground handling services who car-ries out de/anti-icing shall be responsible for:

a) ensuring that de/anti-icing fluids are handled inaccordance with the manufacturer’s instructionsand that the freezing temperatures (or mixtureratios) and viscosities (not required when ISO

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type I fluids are used) of the fluids are regularlycontrolled using the procedures established bythe supplier of ground handling services;

b) ensuring that personnel involved in aircraft de/anti-icing are suitably trained and qualified andthat the treatment and subsequent inspection ofthe aircraft are carried out using the proceduresestablished by the supplier of ground handlingservices, with regard to the procedures definedby the aircraft operator and type-specific in-structions; and

c) ensuring that the operational provisions and in-structions given by the managing body of theairport are complied with.

After de/anti-icing treatment the pilot-in-commandshall be given an oral or written report, stating thatthe critical aircraft surfaces have been inspected andfound to be clear of snow, ice and frost. The reportmust be given in standard form (see Manual of Air-craft Ground De/anti-icing Operations, Chapter 10)and contain at least the following information:- type of anti-icing fluid used (ISO fluid type);- fluid/water mixture ratio, in terms of percentage

by volume (not required when ISO type I fluid isused);

- starting time of the last phase of de/anti-icing tre-atment (application of anti-icing fluid); and

- confirmation that the procedure has been comp-leted.

The organisation carrying out the de/anti-icing shallrecord the following information on each treatmentand store it for one month:- date;- aircraft type and registration;- type of anti-icing fluid used;- mixture ratio (not required when ISO type I fluid

is used);- starting time of the last phase of de/anti-icing tre-

atment;- extent of de/anti-icing treatment (which parts of

the aircraft were treated); and

- name(s) of person(s) who gave the treatment.

4.3 Fuel and oil handlingDetailed requirements are given in Aviation Regula-tion AIR M1-12.

4.4 Aircraft maintenanceDetailed requirements are given in the AIR series ofAviation Regulations.

5 REPORTING OF INCIDENTSThe supplier of ground handling services shall im-mediately inform the aircraft operator of any inci-dents related to ground handling operations thatmight have compromised flight safety, and any acci-dents involving minor damage. In addition, it shallsubmit a report to the appropriate air traffic servicesunit or the Flight Safety Authority as specified inAviation Regulation GEN M1-4.

6 VIOLATIONS OF AVIATION REGU-LATIONSWhere the managing body of the airport finds outthat the supplier of ground handling services fails tocomply with aviation regulations or otherwise actsso as to endanger flight safety, it shall submit a re-port to the Flight Safety Authority and also immedi-ately take action for its part to correct the situation.

7 EXEMPTIONSThe Flight Safety Authority may, on application,grant exemptions from the provisions of this Avia-tion Regulation where such exemptions can be re-garded as justified and an equivalent level of safetycan be achieved with the methods described by theapplicant.

Annex: List of ground handling services