Aviation ground operative

Reference Number: ST0037

Details of standard

An aviation ground operative could work in a number of environments, such as a commercial airport, military base / aerodrome, heliport or other airfield. With five key specialist functions, all working in conjunction with each other, aviation ground operators form the teams above and below wing to ensure the efficient and effective arrival, turnaround and departure of aircraft. At the heart of the role safety, security and compliance with aviation regulations focus each operator’s day to day duties. Effective communication and team work ensure that passenger services, air traffic control (ATC) and those moving, loading, unloading and servicing a range of aircraft achieve the objectives of their organisation in this diverse field. The core knowledge, skills and behaviours must be completed by ALL ground operatives, along with ONE of the five specialist functions.

Core:  All aviation ground operatives must have all of the following core skills, knowledge and behaviours

Behaviours (Live it)

• Be punctual and reliable
• Be a positive role model to others in attitude to work and how it is undertaken
• Treat team, customers and other stakeholders with courtesy and respect
• Remain focussed when a problem arises so that effective and timely decisions can be made
• Work responsibility to keep people safe and operations flowing smoothly, complying with working practises
• Use equipment and technology responsibly and effectively
• Treat others, work areas and equipment with respect at all times
• Demonstrate personal drive to achieve the vision and objectives of the organisation
• Handle all tasks in a calm and organised manner

Specialist: Aviation ground operatives must demonstrate ONE of the following five specialist functions

• Aircraft handling
• Aircraft movement
• Firefighter
• Flight operations
• Passenger services

Specialist function 1: Aircraft handling

The main purpose of an aircraft handling ground operative is to ensure that the full array of aircraft services are completed correctly, including; marshalling, chocks, ground power, correct operation of lower hold doors, loading and unloading passenger baggage and cargo in accordance with the aircraft manufacturer and current carrier/organisational regulations. An aircraft handler must be an effective diligent and proactive team member; displaying a high degree of care to aircraft, equipment and customer goods, be responsible for their own actions and to be a good ambassador for their organisation.

Marshalling

The procedures for marshalling and controlling the movement of aircraft and vehicles, including requirements and importance of  distance, speed, and safe positioning of an aircraft and vehicles

Effectively use the correct marshalling hand signals and techniques required to safely position and manoeuver vehicles into and around the aircraft

Loading instruction report

The purpose of a Load Instruction Report (LIR), the key information contained therein and why it is important and relevant to every aircraft movement

Correctly interpret information on a LIR and ensure procedures within their own role are conducted according to the report

Load and unload

A team member’s responsibility for the safe, correct and timely on-load/off-load operation, and use of Unit Load Devices (ULD) and restraints to ensure the safety and security of loads

Complete loading and unloading of aircraft safely within the allocated time in accordance with the LIR and organisational procedures, including, restraint/unrestraint of a ULD and baggage nets following supervisor’s instruction

Specialist    equipment, including unit load device serviceability

The requirements for, and operation of, specialist equipment and vehicles used on and around the aircraft , including the need for serviceable Unit Load Devices (ULDs), to prevent damage to the aircraft, baggage and cargo and own responsibility as part of the team

Identify the correct specialist equipment that is required for specific purposes on, at and around the aircraft to achieve the desired outcome, including serviceability check of ULDs and report on both serviceability and defects in accordance with organisational procedures

Servicing

Own role in aircraft servicing/turnaround management, aircraft services, pre/post use checks of holds and all hold locks

Identify the services required to facilitate an aircraft arrival, departure or turnaround and prepare/configure aircraft holds for departure

Specialist function 2: Aircraft movement

An aircraft movement operative acts as a team member in the safe and efficient movement and recovery of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft at a variety of airports/ heliports and other landing platforms within the civil aviation and military arenas.  They undertake tasks as team members using specialised equipment to move aircraft within an aviation environment in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Operate aviation  specialist equipment

• Own responsibilities for checking specialised aircraft movement equipment prior to use, how to operate specialist equipment safely and ensure it is left in its allocated area on completion of use according to the organisation’s procedures
• Conduct regularly scheduled inspections prior to using aviation specialist equipment, operate equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures and ensure it is stored in a safe secure manner after use

Pushback aircraft

• Procedures and processes for pushing back an aircraft within the responsibilities of own role
• Follow the correct procedures for preparing to, and pushing back an aircraft

Tow aircraft

• The organisation’s procedures and processes for towing an aircraft within the responsibilities of own role
• Follow correct procedures to prepare for and when towing aircraft

Ensuring a hazard-free airside environment

• Reducing risks and hazards from operating aircraft and vehicles airside and what procedures and processes are used to deal with an airside emergency
• Work with the team in reducing the risks and hazards from operating aircraft and vehicles airside, implementing procedures and processes to deal with an airside emergency

Specialist function 3: Firefighter

Work as a member on a Fire Service Watch and as part of a team to carry out all associated duties such as maintain ing specialist equipment and deal with incidents and emergencies of a structural and aviation nature.

Save & preserve endangered life

• Required procedures and responsibilities of own role to support search, rescue and operations, including casualty care during an operational incident
• As a team member, conduct a search and rescue of life, provide treatment, and support casualties involved in incidents

Resolve fire & rescue aviation incidents

• As a team member, the procedures and processes for resolving aviation fire and rescue operational incidents and special service incidents
• Work as part of a fire and rescue team to control and extinguish aviation fires and special service incidents, supporting the people involved

Drive fire service vehicles airside

• How to prepare a fire service support vehicle for airside use and rules and regulations applicable to airside driving
• Prepare a fire vehicle for airside use and drive a fire service support vehicle airside in a safe manner, following applicable rules and regulations

Test, maintain and operate specialist rescue equipment

• How to select, check and use specialist firefighting equipment in accordance with organisational policy, including the procedure to record and report faults when identified
• Select, check and use specialist firefighting equipment in accordance with organisational policy, recording and reporting faults if identified

Protect the environment from hazardous materials

• How to set up and carry out decontamination of hazardous materials following procedures appropriate to the risk identified
• Work as part of a fire and rescue team to set up and carry out decontamination procedures appropriate to the risk, including the decontamination of people

Specialist function 4: Flight operations

Flight operations ground operatives provide flight crew and air traffic controllers with the information required to facilitate the smooth flow of air traffic safely and expeditiously. This can take place in both an air traffic control tower and an operations room. They can also be employed in other remote areas such as the London Area and Terminal Control Centre at Swanwick in Hampshire.

Support Aviation Operations

• The responsibilities of a team member when collecting and collating information relating to  aviation operations, what should be disseminated to whom and how to respond to urgent incidents
• Collect and collate relevant aviation information required by own role and communicate it in accordance with standard operating procedures, responding to urgent incidents

Operate Aviation Specialist equipment

• A team member’s responsibility for checking specialised equipment prior to use, its safe operation and leaving it in the allocated area, in acceptable condition on completion of use
• Conduct daily inspections prior to using the specialist equipment in accordance with own role, operate it in accordance with standard operating procedures and ensure it is left in a safe, secure manner in its allocated area

Ensuring a hazard-free airside environment

• How the team identifies and reduces the risks and hazards relating to the operation of aircraft and vehicles airside, including the procedures and processes used when responding to an airside emergency
• Work as part of a team to identify and reduce risks and hazards relating to the operation of aircraft and vehicles airside and when implementing processes and procedures when responding to an airside emergency

Operate aviation IT equipment

• Aviation Information Technology (IT) equipment and software, including associated security protocols
• Use IT equipment effectively in an aviation environment, ensuring adherence to security and organisational regulations and requirements

Specialist function 5: Passenger services

The main purpose of a passenger operative is to assist customers in achieving a seamless travel experience through the airport on departure and arrival. With a key role in customer interaction, the passenger services operative assists customers at check-in, gates, boarding, departure and arrivals. Customer experience must be a key focus to meet and exceed expectations whilst maintaining operational and regulatory standards, and acting as an ambassador for the company, carrier and / or airport.

Travel documentation

• The requirements for and characteristics of passports, visas and other statutory or organisational travel documentation and how to read and confirm their validity for acceptance to travel
• Identify and scrutinise travel documentation required to meet customer, organisation and legal requirements for travel and report anomalies to the passenger and line manager in accordance with relevant regulations

Check-in

• The organisation’s check-in process and procedures  to meet all legislation applicable to passengers, in particular data protection policies
• Work as a team member to correctly check-in all booked passengers and baggage in accordance with the organisation’s aviation and IT systems and procedures

Gate processes

• The role of a team member in the boarding, departure and arrival process, including premium services such as lounge access and priority boarding and the operation of specialised equipment for boarding, arrivals, and passenger movement
• Effectively communicate to passengers using the public address and IT systems, and carry out the boarding functions, ensuring accurate headcounts and security and pre-boarding briefs and passenger handling duties; communicate with flight crew regarding customer and other requirements

Customer service and communication

• Understand fully the importance of communications and customer service to the organisation, including compliance with passenger related Air Transport Security (ATS) requirements and procedures for landside/airside safety of passengers and staff
• Be polite, helpful and customer focussed whilst maintaining customer service standards, processing passengers with restricted movement (PRMs) and ensuring compliance with regulations and commercial operations

Entry

Employers will set their own entry requirements in order to start on this apprenticeship

Duration

Based on the entry requirements set by the employer the minimum and typical duration for this apprenticeship is 12 months

English and maths

Apprentices who have not yet achieved level 1 English and maths are required to achieve level 1 English and maths and take the test for level 2 prior to completion of the apprenticeship. Apprentices who have achieved level 1 English and maths, but not yet achieved level 2, prior to commencing the apprenticeship are required to take the test for level 2 prior to completing the apprenticeship

Progression

Progression from this apprenticeship is expected to be into a ground operator’s role with the potential to develop into an aviation operations specialist role

Level

This apprenticeship standard is set at level 2

Renewal

June 2018, unless there is evidence of significant industry change which employers agree warrants earlier amendment

Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence