Sitting in the terminal and waiting to be called for your flight may be a regular experience for most people. You might be passing your time by using your cell phone but the jet that will be taking you to your destination might just have finished another flight. The jet will need to be prepared for the next turnaround - that is changing from an arriving flight to a departing plane. To cater to this continuous job it is important for the aircraft to get maintenance done on its engine, exhaust, and other components to ensure that they are still working properly.
Also Read: The Significance Of Aircraft Maintenance
Despite being properly maintained, the aircraft still needs a lot of pre-flight requisites to make the flying experience the best for the passengers as well as the pilot. While you wait to board the flight, here are some things that will be happening to the aircraft before it is ready to take off.
Parking The Plane
As soon as the plane arrives and clears the current runaway. The pilot gets a taxi signal to park the aircraft from the ground controllers. Some airports have simple taxiway layouts with a ramp and a runaway. While large airports may have complex parking taxiways.
Approaching the terminal, the pilot waits at the runaway gate and waits for the ramp team lead to wave the illuminating orange batons and guide it to the designated place.
As the plane slows to a stop, the target for parking the nose wheel is a painted line on the ramp. This is drawn in advance matching the type of the aircraft. That will put the plane safely and align it in the best form.
Hooking Up The Plane
The plane engine provides thrust and generates electric power while in flight. All passenger planes have small jet engines that use costly fuel to produce electricity when the plane is parked. This is called the APU auxiliary power unit.
However, to avoid the exhaustion of costly jet fuel, many airports provide ground power systems or a generator cart is parked at the gate. When the plane’s access panel is opened and a heavy-duty cable or plug is connected to it, the plane’s power is shut and the engines are turned off.
Connecting To The Air-con
The APU energizes the plane’s climate control system as well and keeps the cabin at the right temperature when parked. Like ground power, many airports provide air conditioning support through flexible large-air ducts that are plugged into the plane at its belly.
Another way to do the job is the use of a truck-mounted system with a duct snaking around the plane. However, large air body aircraft need two connections to keep the cabin at the optimum temperature.
Refueling
Like other vehicles, a plane’s fuel tanks are not necessarily fueled at every stop. Aviation experts have measured and calculated how much fuel will be required for each leg of an aircraft’s daily operations. They have estimates stating how much fuel to put in and when to refill the tank.
To refuel a plane, giant tanker trucks are attached to the plane’s fuel system under the wings. A pumper fuel tank is also used for this purpose. It is hooked up to the fuel hydrant in the ramp, then to the jet’s tanks and fuel is pumped away.
Other tasks that are done when a plane is getting ready for back-to-back flights include;
- Deplaning
- Unloading the luggage and cargo
- Stocking up with food
- Cleaning the toilets
- Pushback
- Boarding and take-off
About Acorn Welding
Acorn Welding has been in the aircraft welding and maintenance industry for years. Our professionals have years of experience in aviation welding and maintenance that keep your aircraft in perfect condition.
We follow all the safety rules and procedures to prevent any hazards during the maintenance process. Apart from this, we also offer aircraft parts. We are a one-stop-shop for engine mounts and other related parts and offer high-quality aircraft welding services. We deliver nothing but the most precise services for aircraft welding. To get in touch with us, click here.
