Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Airport Fire Fighter Emergency Hand Signals

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is to provide guidance for the incorporation of Airport Fire Fighters (AFF) emergency hand signals into crew member training programs.

REFERENCES

• Sections 303.14 and 303.19 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).
• Clause 323.14(2)(a)(ii)(J) and Section 323.19 of the Aerodromes and Airports Standards.
• Clause 343.14(2)(a)(ii)(J) of the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisories.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) No. 150/5210-7C, "Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Communications".
• Flight Safety Foundation, Airport Operations, Vol. 26, No. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2000.

BACKGROUND

In order to improve communication between pilots of aircraft experiencing technical difficulties and the AFF, several countries have started implementing a procedure enabling flight crews to communicate directly with AFF on a discreet radio frequency.

These communication practices have been proven helpful in incidents that have occurred in the United States and Australia at airports where this practice is already in place. They provided all parties involved with a complete assessment of the situation, enabling them to make a more informed decision on their subsequent actions (e.g. evacuate, go to the gate, etc.).

In Canada, a regulatory amendment has been published in order to implement this procedure at the 28 designated Canadian airports and advisory material has been incorporated for the AFF.

As radio communications in some instances may be impossible, standardized hand signals have also been designated for use in those rare circumstances.

ACTION

Emergency hand signals used by AFF should be included in training programs for crew members to be made aware of their existence and allow them to respond to their use if necessary.

They will provide crew members with valuable information, such as the need to evacuate or to stop the evacuation in progress and the state of the emergency.

FUTURE DISPOSITION

A Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) to include the recognition of AFF emergency hand signals in crew member training programs and manuals will be drafted for presentation at the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC).

CONCLUSION

Transport Canada recommends that the information contained in this CBAAC be included in all crew member training programs.

M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation