Specialist Function – Aircraft Handling Manager
With an overview of the airport’s Ramp services, the aircraft handling manager is a key decision maker to ensure the smooth operation of the aviation environment on the ground. Responsibility and accountability for the operation, maintaining standards of performance and outputs to the highest standards, exceeding customer requirements and promoting the brand within financial parameters are essential for a high performance aircraft handling operations manager. Remaining calm and professional at all times, they will lead by example and take control of situations as they arise, making effective decisions and adapting the operation accordingly.
Knowledge and Understanding
Skills
Payload and zero fuel weight (ZFW), weight & balance, Aircraft documentation
The maximum utilisation of available payload, the importance of correct ZFW calculation and constitution, the fundamentals of correct aircraft weight and balance, procedures and processes to plan effectively the necessary resources to ensure sufficient unit load device (ULD) availability and the requirements for and importance of all documentation systems / processes related to aircraft handling operations.
Manage, within own remit, maximum payload utilisation in line with organisation’s commercial targets, adherence to ZFW, weight and balance in accordance with specific aircraft requirements and the use and maintenance of specialised equipment, including ULDs, in accordance with organisation’s policies and procedures, regulatory requirements and completion of correct documentation.
Airside Ramp Operations
All facets of ramp operation and management, including the wider organisation’s links to and reliance upon the aircraft handling department.
Manage effective ramp operation, including arrival, turnaround and departure, for the organisation, ensuring relevant communication with all other airport stakeholders and government agencies to ensure effectiveness of the whole aviation operation.
Aircraft Movements
The procedures and processes for the safe movement of aircraft within own area of responsibility, including how to schedule and handle aircraft to maintain flow and meet required operational standards of performance.
Ensure safe movement of aircraft , including effective scheduling and aircraft flow management, in line with stakeholders’ operational targets.
Manage and coordinate airside handling team members, assets and vehicles - air cargo handling equipment (ACHE)
The procedures and processes to ensure adequate and necessary resources (team members, vehicles and ACHE), to ensure sufficiently serviceable airside handling aids are available, and that baggage handling and air cargo facilities are operational for in-bound, transfer, out-bound and make- up, including those provided via a third party if applicable.
Plan and manage the required amount of specialist team members, vehicles and handling aids airside, to meet current and future tasking and ensure systems and procedures for air cargo and baggage handling are completed to standard within own remit and area of responsibility.