Cashier Assistant
The Ford Tri-Motor operation will provide its own EAA cashier for selling tickets and processing the passengers. The cashier will have the passenger read the liability waiver and sign the flight manifest. It is very important that the manifest be completed correctly. This provides important information for tracking cash and credit card revenue and passenger addresses, when necessary. A Chapter volunteer to assist in this role may be requested by the crew.
Shift Team Leader
The shift team leader must wear an orange safety vest, carry a whistle, and be on constant alert. The safety of passengers and volunteers is our number one priority. The shift team leader is responsible for supervising the flight operation to ensure that all volunteers are working efficiently and safely. The shift team leader will also signal the passenger escort, the bench escort, and the rope escort when it is safe to approach the aircraft (roles outlined below).
Passenger/Bench/Rope Escorts (General)
The passenger, bench, and rope escorts are responsible for briefing the passengers, taking the ticket stubs, and escorting them to and from the Ford Tri-Motor. Although safety of the passengers will be the primary concern, the escort will also set the tone for their flight experience. Please make sure it is an enjoyable experience. All escorts must wear a safety vest and whistle. Never enter or allow any passengers or other volunteers to enter the No Transgression Zone (Propeller Zone).
Passenger Escort
- Assemble each group of passengers by flight number. If the right seat has been sold, that person should be staged first in line.
- Ensure passengers have read and understand the EAA provided passenger briefing sheet (demonstrate the correct seat belt operation) and answer any questions.
- Brief passengers on the loading and unloading procedure.
- Take the ticket stubs to give to the cashier.
- Watch for the signal from the team leader or rope escort that the next flight is ready for boarding.
- Direct passengers to the aircraft, and be alert for safety concerns and straying passengers.
Bench Escort
- As the aircraft turns and stops, watch for the team leader to signal that it is safe to approach the aircraft. (Only after it has turned broadside; do not position between the horizontal stabilizer and aircraft’s door until the aircraft has come to a complete stop.)
- Approach door, position bench, open door, and hand off to rope escort to secure.
- Step back near the tail of aircraft to help direct deplaning passengers to exit, ensuring that no passengers wander around aircraft.
- As the last two passengers enter the aircraft, ensure all aboard are properly seated with seatbelts fastened (demonstrate if necessary).
- Shut and secure the door and take the bench back to the staging area.
- Be constantly alert for safety concerns or straying passengers.
Rope Escort
- Along with the bench escort, watch for signal from team leader that it is safe to approach aircraft.
- Walk to the aircraft door, holding the line taut and waist-high and secure the door in the open position.
- Keep passengers away from the right wing area.
- Help greet and direct deplaning passengers to exit, ensuring that no passengers get under the line or wander around the aircraft.
- Signal the passenger escort in the staging area for the next flight group to approach the aircraft as the last three passengers exit.
- Walk back to the staging area while reeling in the line as last two passengers enter. Be alert for the passengers who might wander in for photo shoots.
- Be constantly alert for safety concerns and straying passengers.
General Crowd Control
Crowd control volunteers must wear an orange vest and carry a whistle.
Crowd control volunteers and barriers are necessary and enhance safety. Please provide stanchions or barrels if possible; safety ropes will be provided by EAA. This does not prevent people from walking up to the aircraft when it is static, but rather allows us to provide an escorted visit. We prefer four crowd control volunteers.
Starter/Fire Guard
The starter must wear an orange vest and carry a whistle. One individual will be designated the starter and be responsible for ensuring the general safety of the aircraft and public during aircraft operations. Only the starter should provide direction to the pilots. The starter will provide taxi and parking directions to the pilot. The starter will remain alert and aware of any passengers or volunteers who might wander into the No Transgression Zone (Propeller Zone). The starter will always remain in sight of the flight crew. When all passengers are buckled in, the door is latched, and passenger escorts are safely out of the way, the starter will clear the area and signal the pilot that it is safe to start the No. 3 engine if the hot turn scenario is in effect or to start all engines according to approved procedures. The pilot will not start any engine without making eye contact
with the starter.
Starter/Fire Guard Briefing Sheet
- Communicate with the Tri-Motor captain for engine start and shutdown.
- Assure that area is clear of obstacles and personnel before signaling captain to start engine(s) or move the aircraft for taxi.
- Alert captain to obstructions or people in the area.
- Be responsible for fire extinguisher operation.
- Alert captain to hazards such as engine carburetor fire (see Fire During Engine Start below).
- Always maintain eye contact with the flight crew.
- Never allow excursions into the No Transgression Zone (Propeller Zone).
- As the Tri-Motor taxis in, signal the captain to keep engines running if the next flight is ready to go.
- Provide necessary communication with the captain using approved hand signals.
- Position so that direct eye contact can be made with captain and so you can see crowd control volunteers and area in front of aircraft.
- Never enter into the No Transgression Zone of the aircraft at any time.
- If necessary to talk with the captain, enter the aircraft; do not go into No Transgression Zone.
- Remain alert to positions of all volunteer members.
- Be constantly alert for safety concerns.
- Wear safety vest and whistle.
- Confer with captain on schedule for fueling aircraft. No passengers shall be loaded while
- fueling is in progress.
