TM 55-1510-220-10
c.
Moving Aircraft on Ground. Aircraft on the ground
shall be moved in accordance with the following:
(1)
Taxiing. Taxiing shall be in accordance with
chapter 8.
CAUTION
When the aircraft is being towed, a
qualified person must be in the pilot's
seat to maintain control by use of the
brakes. When towing, do not exceed
nose gear turn limits. Avoid short
radius turns, and always keep the inside
or pivot wheel turning during the
operation. Do not tow aircraft with
rudder
locks
installed,
as
severe
damage to the nose steering linkage can
result. When moving the aircraft
backwards, do not apply the brakes
abruptly. Tow the aircraft slowly,
avoiding sudden stops, especially over
snowy, icy, rough, soggy, or muddy
terrain. In arctic climates, the aircraft
must be towed by the main gears, as an
immense breakaway load, resulting
from ice, frozen tires, and stiffened
grease in the wheel bearings may
damage the nose gear.
CAUTION
Do not tow or taxi aircraft with deflated
shock struts.
(2)
Towing. Towing lugs are provided on the upper
torque knee fitting of the nose strut. When it is necessary to
tow the aircraft with a vehicle, use the vehicle tow bar. In the
event towing lines are necessary, use towing lugs on the main
landing gear. Use towing lines long enough to clear nose
and/or tail by at least 15 feet. This length is required to prevent
the aircraft from overrunning the towing vehicle or fouling the
nose gear.
d.
Ground Handling Under Extreme Weather Conditions.
Extreme weather conditions necessitate particular care in
ground handling of the aircraft. In hot, dry, sandy, desert
conditions, special attention must be devoted to finding a firmly
packed parking and towing area. If such areas are not
available, steel mats or an equivalent solid base must be
provided for these purposes. In wet, swampy areas, care must
be taken to avoid bogging down the aircraft. Under cold, icy,
arctic conditions, additional mooring is required, and added
precautions must be taken to avoid skidding during towing
operations. The particular problems to be encountered under
adverse weather conditions and the special methods designed to
avoid damage to the aircraft are covered by the various phases
of the ground handling procedures included in this section of
general ground handling instructions. (Refer to TM 55-1500-
204-25/1.)
2-103. PARKING.
Parking is defined as the normal condition under which the
aircraft will be secured while on the ground. This condition
may vary from the temporary expedient of setting the parking
brake and chocking the wheels to the more elaborate mooring
procedures described under Mooring. The proper steps for
securing the aircraft must be based on the time the aircraft will
be left unattended, the aircraft weights, the expected wind
direction and velocity, and the anticipated availability of
ground and air crews for mooring and/or evacuation. When
practical head the aircraft into the wind, especially if strong
winds are forecast or if it will be necessary to leave the aircraft
overnight. Set the parking brake and chock the wheels
securely. Following engine shutdown, position and engage the
control locks.
NOTE
Cowlings and loose equipment will be
suitably secured at all times when left in
an unattended condition.
a.
The parking brake system for the aircraft incorporates
two lever-type valves, one for each wheel brake. Both valves
are closed simultaneously by pulling out the parking brake
handle. Operate the parking brake as follows:
1.
Depress both brakes.
2.
Pull parking brake handle out. This will cause
the parking brake valves to lock the hydraulic fluid under
pressure in the parking brake system, thereby retaining braking
action.
3.
Release brake pedals.
CAUTION
Do not set parking brakes when the
brakes are hot during freezing ambient
temperatures. Allow brakes to cool
before setting parking brakes.
2-91
