Introduction to Headset Communication:

Communication between the ground and flight deck is essential for many operations such as
push-back, fuelling and a variety of maintenance and servicing operations.
Headset man must exercise extreme caution and be constantly aware of his position relative to the
aircraft, its movement and position himself accordingly. Headset man must also ensure that the
interphone cord remains clear of moving aircraft and ground equipment.

AIRCRAFT PUSHBACK
Prior to departure the headset man will make a final walk around to ensure that all doors and servicing
panels are closed and secured. Also that no visible damage is apparent after the completion of loading
process

The following will be confirmed before the pushback commences.

1.
2.
3.

Pitot covers and gear pins removed

Steering bypass pin installed where applicable
Chocks in position
The headset man must be fully aware that any distraction by non essential personnel is not to be
entertained during the pushback operation
Once the aircraft is almost ready for departure, the headset man will remain on headset waiting
for Captains call.

CAUTION: Chocks must be removed prior to push back when all equipment are clear off the
aircraft. Communication with the pushback operator will be with standard hand signals.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GROUND AND COCKPIT

Crew: Ground cockpit

Tech: Cockpit Ground - Go Ahead
Crew: Clear for pushback facing (direction or runway will be advised.)
Tech: Cockpit Ground- Clear for pushback facing (direction to be repeated.) Confirm parking
brakes off.
Crew: Ground cockpit- Brakes off Chocks off time (time will be advised)
Signal to the pushback operator that the aircraft brakes are released and to commence pushback
by touching nose and pointing to the direction that the aircraft nose is required to face.
Tech.: Cockpit Ground -Pushing back.
After the aircraft has been pushed to the correct position and the pushback operator has applied
the brakes, he will signal to the head set person for the aircraft brakes to be applied using
standard hand signals.
Tech: Cockpit Ground -Pushback is complete. Set Parking brake.
Crew: Brakes are set.

Tech: Roger, Stand by

Warning: Tow bar must be disconnected from tractor before disconnecting from aircraft.

Once all the equipment is clear from the aircraft remove steering bypass pin

Tech: Ground cockpit- Steering bypass pin removed, all ground equipment is clear look for
hand signal from (RH /LH) side
Crew: Clear to disconnect and standing by for hand signal.

Disconnect headset close and secure panel. The technician will walk to the indicated side and give a
thumb up signal by holding steering bypass that can be clearly seen by the crew until taxi out has been
established safely.
Note:
Captain Flash landing Lights continuously if Headset Man is required to return to the aircraft
Headset Man If the Headset Man requires returning to the aircraft to communicate to the
cockpit, wave the headset /marshalling torch in the air to attract the attention of the flight crew.
This signals intention to return to the aircraft. When the flight deck crew have acknowledged
Headset Mechanics signal by flashing landing lights continuously, the Headset Mechanic will
approach the aircraft with caution and carryout the appropriate communication
PUSH BACK ABNORMALITIES

As the tug pushes back the aircraft, the mechanic will monitor and advise the pilot of any
abnormalities and maintain communication with the pushback operator either verbal or visual to
maintain control of any abnormal situation.
Tow bar shear pin failure

Instructs the pushback operator to halt the push back and bring the aircraft to a halt slowly.
Inform the flight crew.

TECH.: Cockpit Ground - set Park Brakes. Tow Bar shear pin failure.
CREW: Ground cockpit- Roger, park brakes are set.
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Standby for replacement tow bar
Crew: Standing by

Once the tow bar has been replaced continue with the pushback as per standard pushback
procedure
Tow bar breakage/ separation from the aircraft

TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Tow bar failure Apply brakes

WARNING: Inform the pushback operator to move clear of the moving aircraft as quick as
possible and the headset man needs to move clear to safe distance.
CREW: Brakes are set
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Standby for replacement tow bar
CAUTION: Should any damage be apparent, then a licensed engineer should assess the damage
before the aircraft is released.

CAUTION: The headset may become detached or unplugged when a tow bar fails, do not try to
approach a moving aircraft. Move clear and using hands signals indicate for the crew to apply
brakes. Only when the aircraft has halted, reconnect the headset to the aircraft.
ENGINE START

Before, during or after push back the flight crew advises the mechanic of when and where they
will start the engines. Standard phrases will be used during engine start
CREW: Ground cockpit-Clear to start engines
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Clear to start (as specified) or stand by if area is not clear.
When the clearance is given to start engines by the mechanic, he will monitor engine rotation and
any abnormalities.
CREW: Ground cockpit-Starting (as specified) engine..
Crew: Ground cockpit- Ground, we have good starts; you are clear to disconnect and signals
from the LH or RH side.
ENGINE START ABNORMALITIES

All abnormalities require instant response and clear reports to the flight deck crew as to the
nature of the abnormality.
Tailpipe fire

This type of fire will normally extinguish as the engine rotation increases up to stabilized rpm.
The normal cause is residual fuel in the engine. The crew should only be advised and updated as
to the status, but no request should be made to shut the engine down. Communication will be as
follows:TECH.: Cockpit Ground - you have a tailpipe fire
CREW: Ground cockpit-Roger keep me informed.
Once the fire has gone out
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Tailpipe fire has extinguished.
If the engine reaches idle and the fire has not gone out, the crew will increase the throttle to try
and blow out the fire.
CREW: Ground cockpit-Confirm status
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Fire is out, standby for inspection by the engineer
If starter is still engaged then the Flight deck Crew operate fuel start-cut off lever to close and
allow engine to dry cycle , repeat until tailpipe fire extinguished.
CREW: Ground cockpitTECH.: Cockpit Ground - Go ahead
CREW: Ground cockpit-Advise status of tailpipe fire
After tailpipe fire extinguished the ground engineer will assess the area (from safe distance)
for any signs of scorching or burning of the strut or wing area and confirm status to flight
crew.

Under cowl fire

Is potentially more hazardous than the tailpipe fire, the mechanic and crew should proceed as
follows:
CREW: Ground cockpit-Clear to start engine (as specified)
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Engine (as specified) clear
CREW: Ground cockpit- Starting engine (as specified)
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Engine (as specified) on fire, shut down engine, (as specified) I
repeat engine (as specified) on fire, shut down number engine as specified
The flight crew will immediately call the tower for fire services. The ground crew will monitor
the engine. If the fire extinguishes advice the flight crew as follows.
TECH.: Cockpit Ground CREW: Ground cockpit- Go Ahead
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Engine (as specified) Fire extinguished.
CREW: Ground cockpit-Copied
At this point the Ground Engineer will assess the situation and action accordingly and
confirm status to flight crew.
If the fire continues after engine shutdown and or if the flight deck engine fire warming
remains then the normal Flight deck fire drill will be observed.
The mechanic will advise the flight crew as follows:
TECH.: Cockpit Ground
CREW: Ground cockpit-Go ahead
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - Engine (as specified) still on fire
CREW: Ground cockpit- Copied
The Ground Engineer at this point would tackle the fire with the portable fire extinguisher
positioned at the stand. The mechanic must not leave the headset . The ground crew will
ensure the area is clear for the arrival of the fire services. The ground crew should be aware
that a passenger evacuation may be initiated by the flight crew.
Ingestion of foreign objects

If the ground crew spot a potential foreign object, Waste bin liner or personnel in the vicinity
of the engine then immediately inform the flight crew as follows.
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - shut down engine (as specified); I repeat shut down engine (as
specified), possible ingestion in engine (as specified)
CREW: Ground cockpit-Engine (as specified) possible ingestion, standby
CREW: Ground cockpit-Standby
At this point the Ground Engineer will assess the situation and clear the area of foreign
objects or action accordingly if the engine has ingested a foreign object.
Engine start with defective APU

Assuming the APU is unserviceable, ground power (electric) and the Air Start Unit already
connected
TECH.:.: Cockpit Ground CREW: Ground cockpit-Go ahead

TECH.:.: Cockpit Ground - The air start unit & GPU are connected, standing by for engine
start
CREW: Ground cockpit-Ready to start engines, please provide pneumatic pressure
The mechanics will advice the equipment handler accordingly.
TECH.:.: Cockpit Ground -, pneumatics is now supplied
CREW: Ground cockpit-Pressure confirmed, starting engine (as specified)
TECH..: Cockpit Ground - Clear to start engine (as specified)
Upon completion of engine start, the crew will advice to disconnect all ground equipment.
Keep the cockpit standby and hand signal the equipment operator to disconnect and remove
all GSE. Once equipment are clear
TECH.: Cockpit Ground - All Ground Equipment clear and stand by for push back
The push back procedure to be followed.

PHRASEOLOGY

According to International regulations and rules (ICAO), radio communication must be done
in a certain fashion using phraseology with correct terminology in order to avoid
misunderstanding and misinterpretations when used in multilingual environments.
Following paragraph will handle necessary phraseology used at an airport.

STANDARD SPEECH ABBREVIATIONS

Phrase

Meaning

Affirm
Approved
Negative
Correct
Go ahead
Report
Roger
Say again
Standby
Speak slower

0
Ze-Ro
6
Six

1
2
Wan Too
7
Sev-En

Thousand
Examples:
853

Yes (permission granted)

Permission for proposed action granted
No (Permission not granted or not correct)
That is correct
Proceed with your message (it does not mean proceed)
Pass me the following information
I have received and understood all your last transmission
Repeat all, or the following part of your last transmission
Wait I will call you
Reduce your rate of speech
3
Tree
8
Ait

Tou-Sand
10

4
Fow-Er
9
Nin-Er

Hundred

Wun Zero

Ait Fife Tree 90

5
Fife

Hun-Dred
100

Nin-er Zero

Decimal

Day-See-Mal

Wun Zero Zero (Wun Hundred)

3000

Tree Tou-Sand

PHONETIC ALPHABET
The ICAO phonetic alphabet is given below.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Alpha
Al-Fah
Bravo
Bra-Vo
Charlie
Char-Lee
Delta
Dell-Tah
Echo
Ech-Oh
Foxtrot
Foks-Trot
Golf
Golf
Hotel
Hoh-Tell
India
In-Di-Ah
Juliet
Jew-Lee-Ett
Kilo
Key-Loh
Lima
Lee-Mah
Mike
Maik
November
No-Vem-Ber
Oscar
Oss-Car
Papa
Pah-Pah
Quebec
Keh-Beck
Romeo
Row-Meh-Oh
Sierra
See-Airrah
Tango
Tang-Goh
Uniform
You-Nee-Form
Victor
Vik-Tah
Whiskey
Wiss-Key
Xray
Ecks-Ray
YankeeYang-Key
Zulu
Zoo-Looh