Ramp agent

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A ramp agent prepares a Dornier 328 jet in Dresden for takeoff.

The ramp agent or operations agent (station operation) is an airline or airport employee deployed airside on the ground who prepares aircraft for departure. At larger airports, he represents the station manager or the operations management of the respective airline on the apron .

tasks

Ramp agent at Orio al Serio airport

As a contact for the cockpit and cabin crew as well as the interface between the OPS (Operations Office, the airline's operations center), gate personnel, technology and apron workers, the ramp agent monitors and coordinates all services that are performed on an aircraft during its ground time. This includes loading, refueling, interior cleaning, catering , supply of fresh water and removal of waste water, as well as monitoring the boarding of passengers.

The ramp agent is particularly responsible for compliance with and monitoring of the safety regulations issued by the IATA , the higher aviation authority of the respective state (in Germany the LBA ) and the airline to be processed. Likewise for the regulations issued by the aircraft manufacturers according to different aircraft types. These are for example:

  • Compliance with the charge limits
    • maximum floor load of the load compartment floor
    • maximum load on the aircraft structure
    • Limitations through load securing systems (pallet locks, container stops, nets, ropes)
    • Freight can be loaded together (dangerous goods, food, animals)
    • Securing of heavy-duty parts, animals and dangerous goods
    • Restrictions in certain holds, for certain goods
    • Restrictions / embargoes (dangerous goods, animals) for certain destination airports
  • Compliance with the center of gravity / total weights
    • Compliance with the trim limits (aircraft center of gravity at take-off / landing)
    • Compliance with the maximum permitted weights for take-off and landing in coordinated agreement with the weight and balance agents (load controller)

He is also responsible for loading the baggage and the associated aviation security regulations (security).

His focus is the safe, punctual and economical handling of a flight. Especially at large aviation hubs , it is often necessary to weigh up between punctuality and economic efficiency. At some airports or at some companies he is also responsible for push-backs .

After the loading and boarding process has been completed, the loading data is transferred to the airline's Weight & Balance system by phone or mobile computer. A load and trim sheet is now created on the basis of this current data. It lists all data relevant for the cockpit, such as

  • Takeoff weight (TOW) - takeoff weight
  • Landing weight (LAW) - landing weight
  • Loaded Index Takeoff Weight (LI-TOW)
  • Loaded Index Landing Weight (LI-LAW)
  • MAC or CG at TOW - the aircraft's center of gravity at takeoff
  • MAC or CG at LAW - focus of the aircraft on landing

(MAC = mean aerodynamic center) (CG = center of gravity)

The ramp agent has previously ensured that all limits have been observed and that the data on the loadsheet is correct. He bears overall responsibility for this. Nowadays, the load sheet is usually transferred directly to the cockpit via a data link and printed out there, or the data flows into the on-board computer. Based on this data, the corresponding flaps (flaps, spoilers, slats) are brought into position during take-off and landing.

With the load sheet, the pilots also receive a lot of other data in the cockpit, which they need to carry out the flight safely. In addition to the trim and weight data already mentioned, the cockpit also receives information on special loads. This would be, for example, dangerous goods, perishable goods or animals.

Training in Germany

The training as a ramp agent is - unlike that as a load master - not an official training occupation . Instead, it is often based on an already completed training, which does not necessarily have to have something to do with the later job as a ramp agent. In about two to three months, both theoretical and practical evidence must be provided.

Some ramp agents have previously completed training to become an air traffic clerk or service clerk for air traffic . The required additional qualification includes, among other things, theoretical training in the areas of weight and balance, dangerous goods and push-back walkout certification as well as an apron driver's license and practical training on various types of aircraft.

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