On Day 2 of Airside Safety Week, we will highlight the teams and practices that keep our aprons safe.
On-site activities
Our in-person programming features fun, interactive ways to learn and test our skills. Today’s on-site activities include:
- ASO Ride Along*
- Wildlife Control Officer Site Visit*
*Prior registration required
Check out our on-site activities page to learn more about how you can participate. Make sure to register before the deadline!
Online learning
Today we are highlighting Apron Safety, including a review of:
- The Apron Management Unit
- The Resource Management Unit
Once you have reviewed the day’s learning material, test your knowledge of Apron Safety by taking today’s quiz (links to quizzes will be accessible September 16 to 20). Participants in today's quiz will be automatically entered into a prize draw.
Takeoff and landing are considered the most dangerous phases of a flight, but aircraft on the ground do face hazards, such as moving vehicles and other aircraft. Learn about the Apron Management Unit (AMU) and the Resource Management Unit (RMU) to better understand how both teams facilitate safe aircraft movement on the apron and during aircraft pushback and gating.
Apron Management Unit
Sitting 23 stories above the apron surface, the Apron Management Unit provides safe, orderly and expeditious movement of apron traffic on Pearson’s apron, runways and taxiways. AMU requires staff coverage on a 24/7 basis.
Apron Safety relies on:
- Accuracy – It is crucial to ensure that all instructions regarding aircraft pushbacks are read accurately and executed verbatim.
- Awareness – Ground crew must be aware of their surroundings at all times including the movement of aircraft on surrounding gates and adjacent taxi lanes.
- Positioning – Correct positioning at the disconnect point during pushback is critical to maintaining safe wingtip clearances on the aprons.
Pushback reminders:
- Pushback instructions are not always exact to a compass heading, despite using compass directions. Because of this, ground crews must have a thorough understanding of the instructions in each area.
Jet blast reminders:
- All persons and agencies involved in the movement of aircraft are responsible for considering jet blast consequences.
- Jet blast velocities above 55 KPH should be avoided as they are undesirable for the comfort of employees on the ground and for equipment operations in the apron area.
Resource Management Unit
The Resource Management Unit (RMU) is responsible for coordinating the aircraft parking that is required during Pearson’s 1000+ arrivals and departures each day. The RMU at Toronto Pearson is responsible for managing the most complex set of stands in North America. With thousands of stand changes per day, the RMU is dedicated to supporting the timely arrival and departure of all aircraft.
Pay Attention to the Lines!
- Lead-in Lines:
- Each aircraft parking stand has a unique number, often consisting of a combination of letters and numbers.
- It is critical that flight and ground crews position aircraft on the specified lead-in line to ensure proper clearance distances from adjacent stands.
- Stop Lines:
- Each lead-in line has a series of stop lines which are critical to ensure that the aircraft is positioned correctly, and that all equipment can reach the aircraft. Always check the placard for correct stop lines for specific aircraft types.
Thank you for reviewing today’s reminders about Apron Safety. After you take today’s quiz, be sure to join us again tomorrow for another learning opportunity and chance to win a cash prize!