Ground Operations and Servicing

Question 1

What special precautions should be taken when towing an aircraft that is equipped with a steerable nose wheel?

Answer 1

Be sure that the nose wheel does not try to turn past its stops. Some aircraft require the torsion links on the nose wheel strut to be disconnected when towing.

Question 2

What kind of rope is best to tie down an aircraft?

Answer 2

Nylon or polypropylene.

Question 3

What kind of knot is used for securing an airplane with a rope?

Answer 3

Bowline.

Question 4

What are the most common aviation gasoline colors and corresponding grades?

Answer 4

Red-80
Green-100
Blue-100LL
Purple-115

Question 5

What publication lists the standard hand signals used for directing a taxiing aircraft?

Answer 5

FAA Aeronautical Information Manual and Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook-General.

Question 6

What action should a mechanic take while taxiing an aircraft on a runway if the tower shines a flashing red light?

Answer 6

Taxi the aircraft clear of the runway in use.

Question 7

When starting an aircraft engine equipped with a float carburetor, in what position should the carburetor heat control be placed?

Answer 7

In the cold position.

Question 8

What is meant by a liquid lock in the cylinder of an aircraft engine, and how is it cleared?

Answer 8

Oil accumulates in the cylinders below the center line of the engine and prevents the piston from moving to the top of its stroke. To clear a liquid lock, remove one of the spark plugs and turn the engine crankshaft until all of the oil is forced out of the cylinder.

Question 9

What is the procedure if a hung start occurs when starting a turbojet engine?

Answer 9

Terminate the starting operation and find the reason the engine would not accelerate as it should.

Question 10

How far ahead of an idling turbojet engine does the danger area extend?

Answer 10

25ft

Question 11

What are the control tower light signals that may be used when taxiing or towing an aircraft, and what are their meanings?

Answer 11

Flashing green-Cleared to taxi
Steady red-Stop
Flashing red-Taxi clear of runway in use
Flashing white-Return to starting point
Alternating red and green-Exercise extreme caution

Question 12

What is meant by detonation in an aircraft reciprocating engine?

Answer 12

Detonation is an uncontrolled burning of the fuel in the cylinder of an engine. It is an explosion, rather than a smooth burning.

Question 13

What type of fire extinguisher is best suited for extinguishing an induction fire in a reciprocating engine?

Answer 13

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Question 14

What is proper way to extinguish an induction system fire that occurs when starting a reciprocating engine?

Answer 14

Keep the engine running, which will blow the fire out. If this does not work, use a CO2 fire extinguisher directed into the induction air inlet.

Question 15

When servicing an aircraft with air, nitrogen, oil, and other fluids, where are the proper procedures and equipment requirements found?

Answer 15

Consult the specific aircraft maintenance manual.

Question 16

What are the three types of oxygen that are commercially available?

Answer 16

Aviator’s breathing, industrial, and medical.

Question 17

Is medical oxygen a suitable alternative for aviator’s breathing oxygen?

Answer 17

No. Medical oxygen contains moisture that can freeze in the cold temperatures found at higher altitudes.

Question 18

What grade of aviation gasoline is dyed blue?

Answer 18

Low-lead Grade-100

Question 19

What type of fuel is Jet-A

Answer 19

A fuel with a heavy kerosene base, a flash point of 110-150°F, a freezing point of -40°, and a heat energy content of 18,600 Btu/lb.

Question 20

What are two functions of tetraethyl lead that is added to aviation gasoline?

Answer 20

It increases the critical pressure and temperature of the fuel, and it acts as a lubricant for the valves.

Question 21

Why is it important that turbine fuel not be mixed with aviation gasoline used in an aircraft reciprocating engine?

Answer 21

The turbine engine fuel will cause the engine to detonate severely.

Question 22

What is the danger of using fuel that vaporizes too readily?

Answer 22

Vapor lock can occur in the fuel lines. This will shut off the flow of fuel to the engine.

Question 23

How can an aviation mechanic reduce the risk of leaving tools in an aircraft?

Answer 23

By using shadow boards or foam cutouts for each tool in their toolbox. Missing tools are easily identified by a quick review of the toolbox.

Question 24

Why is it important that the aircraft and the fuel truck be grounded together before the aircraft is fueled?

Answer 24

Grounding prevents the buildup of static electricity that causes sparks that could ignite the fuel vapors.

Question 25

How should aircraft parts be protected?

Answer 25

When store on a shelf, sensitive equipment should remain in original packaging or on padded shelves with measures taken to prevent parts from rolling or falling off storage shelves. Electronic equipment should remain in anti-static packaging. When moving aircraft parts to be installed on an aircraft, care should be taken to prevent the part from falling or becoming damaged until installation is complete.

Question 26

Where can information be found specifying what personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used when working with specific hazardous materials?

Answer 26

In the SDS for the hazardous material.

Question 27

Why is FOD (foreign object damage) dangerous?

Answer 27

FOD can lead to damage and failure of an aircraft systems and engines.

Question 28

Explain the precautions that should be used when towing an aircraft?

Answer 28

1.Before the aircraft to be towed is moved, a qualified person must be in the flight deck to operate the brakes if the towbar breaks or becomes unhooked.
2. Use the proper towbar.
3. Observe tow steering limits and disconnect steering linkages when appropriate.
4. Tow at reasonable speeds.
5.Use wing walkers to verify wingtip clearance from obstacles.
6. Close external doors and airstairs.
7. Install gear-down lock pins (when available).
8. Follow airport control tower or ground control instructions and clearances.

Question 29

What precautions should be used when connecting external power equipment to an airplane?

Answer 29

Consult the aircraft manufacturer’s recommendations. In most cases: (1) turn aircraft power off, (2) turn external power equipment off and ensure proper voltage has been selected, (3) connect external power to the aircraft, (4) turn external power on, and (5) turn aircraft power on.

Question 30

What documentation is required for a certificated aircraft to legally operate on automotive gasoline?

Answer 30

There must be a STC for the aircraft to operate on automotive gasoline.

Question 31

What hazard is associated with fueling or defeuling ungrounded aircraft?

Answer 31

Aviation fuel vapors exist when fueling or defueling an aircraft. During the process of fueling or defueling an aircraft, static electricity builds up due to the flow of fuel inside a rubber fueling hose and, if not grounded properly , can cause a spark that ignites the fuel vapors.

Question 32

What should be done to a reciprocating engine fuel system if turbine fuel is inadvertently put into the tanks and the engine is run?

Answer 32

The entire fuel system must be drained and flushed with gasoline, the engine given a compression check, and all of the cylinders given a borescope inspection. The oil must be drained and all of the filters and strainers checked. After the aircraft is properly fueled, the engine must be given a proper run-up and check.

Question 33

What damage is likely to occur if an aircraft reciprocating engine that is designed to use grade 100 fuel is operated with grade 80 fuel?

Answer 33

Detonation will occur, leading to bent connecting rods, burned pistons, and cracked cylinder heads.

Question 34

What information must be located near the fuel tank filler opening in an aircraft powered by a reciprocating engine?

Answer 34

The word “Avgas,” the minimum fuel grade.

Question 35

What information must be located near the fuel tank filler opening in an aircraft powered by a turbine engine?

Answer 35

The words “Jet Fuel,” the permissible fuel designations, or references to the airplane flight manual (AMF) for permissible fuel designations; additionally, for pressure fueling systems, the maximum permissible fueling supply pressure and the maximum permissible defueling pressure.

Question 36

What precaution must be observed regarding the tools used when servicing an aircraft oxygen system?

Answer 36

Be sure that there is no oil or grease on the tools. Pure oxygen can cause spontaneous combustion of petroleum products. Two personnel should be used; one for controlling the valves of the servicing equipment and the other to monitor the pressure in the aircraft system. Do not service the oxygen system when fueling, defueling, or conducting any maintenance that could provide a source of ignition.

Question 37

Why is it important to use a checklist when starting and running an aircraft?

Answer 37

Using a checklist will lead to safe conditions, protecting the aircraft, surrounding equipment, and personnel.

Question 38

Where are the procedures found to start an aircraft engine correctly and safely?

Answer 38

in the specific aircraft manufacturer’s aircraft maintenance manual or aircraft flight manual.

Question 39

Explain how to mitigate risk when starting and operating an engine while troubleshooting or adjusting engine controls.

Answer 39

Always follow the specific aircraft maintenance manual instructions and cautions. Adjustments to the engine should be made only when the engines not running.

Question 40

What are the dangers of operating an aircraft engine with cowling removed contrary to manufacturer instructions?

Answer 40

The aircraft cowling may become damaged, the engine may not receive enough cooling air and overheat, and/or damaged cowling may come loose and damage the engine, propeller, or aircraft.

Question 41

What are some of the risks associated with operating an aircraft in the vicinity of other aircraft or ground support equipment, and how can the risks be mitigated?

Answer 41

Always aim an aircraft so that the blast from the propellers or engines will not damage other aircraft, or personnel.