SECURING AIRCRAFT ASHORE
The parking areas on air stations are usually
equipped with tie-down pad eyes, which are sunk into
the surface of the concrete aprons on the "line." One
end of the tie-down chains or securing line assemblies
are attached to the aircraft tie-down fittings, and the
other end is secured to the pad eyes and properly
adjusted.
CAUTION
When you are securing aircraft with manila
line, leave sufficient slack for shrinkage that
occurs when the line becomes wet.
NOTE: Most aircraft are equipped with their own
special securing accessory equipment, such as intake,
exhaust, canopy, and external flight instrument covers,
propeller or rotor blade restraints and tie-downs, flight
control and landing gear lock pins, etc.
The fundamental rules for securing aircraft ashore
are as follows:
1.
Direct or locate the aircraft to a protected spot.
2.
Park the aircraft into the wind if possible.
3.
Place chocks both in front of and behind each
main landing gear wheel.
4.
Ground the aircraft.
5.
Place all controls in neutral position and lock
or secure.
6.
Tie the aircraft down.
7.
Install the protective covers.
8.
Secure propellers and rotor blades as required
9.
Ensure brakes are set.
CAUTION
Do not install intake or exhaust engine covers
when the engine is hot.
When high winds threaten, move the aircraft inside
the hangar if possible. If not, ensure tie-downs or lines
and anchorages are doubled and control surfaces are
secured with battens.
Multiengine aircraft are usually tied down at six
points. These points are the landing gear, the tail, and
each wing. Detailed information concerning securing a
particular aircraft may be found in the "General
Information and Servicing" section of the MIM.
Q10-15. On air stations ashore, what is the area called
where a particular group of aircraft is spotted
or parked?
Q10-16. What is the purpose of color coding flight line
fire extinguishers?
Q10-17. Why should sufficient slack be left in manila
line when used for securing aircraft?
HELICOPTER HANDLING
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE:
Recognize
helicopter handling signals, activities, securing
procedures, and general safety precautions.
Helicopters are used on CV/(N)/LHD/LHA/LPH/
LPD type vessels. They are also used on destroyers, fast
frigates, replenishing ships, cruisers, and, of course,
shore stations.
There are areas that differ between
handling fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Unique
flight characteristics and aircraft operation require
special handling procedures.
HELICOPTER TIE-DOWN AND SECURING
PROCEDURES
With the exception of the main rotor blade
tie-downs,
helicopter
tie-downs
and
securing
procedures are similar to those for conventional
fixed-wing aircraft.
Tie-downs for the main rotor blades are used to
prevent damage that might be caused by gusty and
turbulent wind conditions when the blades are in a
spread position. This type of tie-down usually consists
of a canvas boot with an attached length of manila line;
however, some helicopter rotor blades have special
fittings and attachment accessories to accomplish this
task.
The canvas boot is placed over the tip of the rotor
blade, and the boot line is then secured either to a deck
fitting or to an aircraft fitting on the helicopter itself.
NOTE: Rotor blade securing lines should be taut
enough to hold the blades without applying excessive
bending force. Check lines for security and shrinkage
when wet, and readjust lines when required.
10-35
