Chapter 8- Flight Line and Front Desk Operations

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Chapter 8- Flight Line and Front Desk Operations

• AST 205

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What are some activities that take place on the
flight line?

• Fueling
• Repositioning aircraft
• Line maintenance- sometimes
• Aircraft servicing- lav. Pre-heat, cleaning, etc.
• Passenger transportation

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Importance of the Flight Line

• It is generally the first impression your
  customer will have of your operation

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Important aspects of a well managed flight line

• -Courteous personnel- regardless of pilot
• -Prompt Service- have A/C fueled ready
• ie. Preheated
• -Efficient- minimize pax. Delay esp. Fueling
• -Attn. To Detail- fuel spillage, windows etc.

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Flight Line Operational Considerations

• -Do line personnel monitor tower?
• -Are personnel equipped with radios to
• communicate with the front desk?
• -How will you attract flight crews to your
• Ramp? Flagman, follow me truck, etc.
• -What transportation arrangements have
• Been made for pax. flt. Crews

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Important line layout considerations

• -visibility- for landing traffic
• -well marked
• -well maintained- pavement/stripes/ropes
• -plenty of space
• -clean appearance- discourage poorly
• kept aircraft
• -(Invite the Tower personnel to your
  Christmas party)

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Flight Line Training

• The flight line can be a hazardous place so
  proper training and protection is a must
• Awareness of ramp hazards- jet blast, noise,
  visibility, protection from the elements,
  protection of passengers etc. fire hazards (i.e.
  cell phones), proper grounding/bonding
  procedures, spillage procedures.
• Also training in- correct fuel grade/aircraft
  identification, fuel fill systems, ATC
  phraseology, hand signals, etc.

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MOGAS- auto fuel

• -Use only in low compression engines
• -Must see placard before fueling (STC)
• -Very susceptible to contamination/moisture
• -Shorter storage life- varnish
• -Quality harder to control- Major Cos only
• -May be a large source of revenue

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Self-refueling

• Individual
• Hazardous- outside only
• spillage destroys asphalt over time
• Airport should have a policy and can charge a
  flowage fee.
• Corporate
• turning to self fueling for several reasons
• lower cost
• reduced fueling errors
• less time consumed
• more control/security
• This can be discouraged by quality service

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Self Serve/Pay at the pump are also becoming the
trend at FBOs. Advantages are

• Fuel available at all hours- convenience
• Less cost to customer
• Can be a selling point for your operation
• Others might not want it

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Front Desk

• The nerve center of the operation
• The interface between the gen. Public Avn.
• Front Desk Considerations
• neat orderly appearance
• full time attentive personnel

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Duties of the Front Desk Attendant

• Financial transactions for all operations
• Unicom
• Arrange a/c movements
• Directs customers to proper place
• Arrange ground transportation/lodging
• Keeps guest log
• Should be a good people person

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Other FBO Customer facilities consist of

• Lounge/restroom facility
• Comfortable couches/recliners
• T.V.
• Books/Mags.
• Quiet/Dark Atmosphere
• Phones/internet connection
• Restrooms should be clean
• Other...

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And the Flight Planning Area

• Flight Planning area
• Wall Chart
• FSS phone w/ instructions
• big table
• online wx./ flight planning service
• PC with internet connectionFacility Directory-
  AOPA, JEPP, ACUKwik
• Other...
• Overall neat appearance is imperative

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The End