Aviation Services 2

Course Description

AVS0092C — Aviation Services 2 is the second Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in Florida's Aviation Services career-preparatory program, building on the foundational AVS0091C. This course advances students into more complex ramp operations: aircraft pushback and tow procedures, advanced GSE operation, fueling support coordination, deicing operations, cargo loading and weight-and-balance awareness, and turnaround operations coordination.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers serving regional airports. Successful completion advances students toward the second occupational completion point in the Aviation Services PSAV program.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of AVS0092C, students will be able to:

• Perform aircraft pushback and tow operations: tow bar selection and connection; bypass-pin installation; communication with flight crew; coordination with ramp clearance.
• Operate advanced ground support equipment: heavy-duty tugs/tractors for transport aircraft; high-output ground power units; air-start carts for jet engines.
• Apply fueling support coordination: bonding and grounding awareness; fueling-zone safety perimeter; coordination between fueling personnel and ramp workers (note: actual fueling is performed by certified fueling personnel).
• Apply deicing operation support: deicing fluids (Type I, II, III, IV); holdover times; deicing pad operations; coordination with deicing crews (note: actual deicing is performed by certified deicing personnel).
• Apply cargo loading principles: load planning awareness; container types (LD-3, LD-7, pallets); weight distribution; tie-down requirements; hazmat awareness.
• Apply turnaround coordination: airline turnaround time discipline; sequencing of cleaning, catering, fueling, baggage, passenger boarding; communication with operations center.
• Apply special handling: oversized cargo; temperature-sensitive cargo; live animals; human remains; passengers requiring special assistance.
• Apply incident reporting: damage assessment; aircraft ground damage reporting; near-miss reporting; safety culture participation.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply international ramp operations awareness for U.S. carriers serving international destinations.
• Apply introductory cargo aircraft operations for institutions located near cargo hubs.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Pushback and Tow Operations: Tow bar types and selection per aircraft; bypass-pin/torque-link installation; pushback signals and procedures; "ready to start" and "ready to taxi" protocols.
• Heavy GSE Operation: Transport aircraft tugs and tractors (heavy-duty); high-output ground power; air-start carts (LCN/Trilectron and similar); heavy lift equipment.
• Fueling Coordination: Aircraft fueling zone safety; bonding and grounding (static-electricity hazards); fuel sample inspection awareness; coordination with certified fueling personnel.
• Deicing Operations: Type I (deicing) and Type IV (anti-icing) fluids; holdover time awareness; deicing pad operations; communication with flight crew about deicing complete.
• Cargo Loading: Container/pallet types (LD-3, LD-7, AKE); load planning awareness; weight and balance considerations; tie-down requirements; hazmat awareness (DG declaration).
• Turnaround Operations: Sequencing of services; turnaround time targets (typically 25–45 minutes for narrowbody domestic); coordination with multiple service providers.
• Special Handling: Oversized and out-of-gauge cargo; temperature-controlled cargo (cold chain); live animals (AVI); human remains (HUM); wheelchair and special-assistance passenger handling.
• Incident Reporting: Aircraft ground damage reporting; near-miss reporting; safety culture (just culture concept); root cause investigation participation.
• Hazmat Awareness: Dangerous goods recognition; ICAO/IATA dangerous goods regulations introductory.

Resources & Tools

• FAA AC 150/5210-20 (Ground Vehicle Operations on Airports); AC 120-89 (Ground Deicing/Anti-Icing)
• IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM)
• Airline-specific ground operations manuals
• OSHA standards
• TSA security awareness materials

Career Pathways

AVS0092C advances students toward higher-skilled ramp roles:

• Lead Ramp Agent / Ramp Lead at airline ground operations.
• Aircraft Towing Specialist requiring tow certification.
• Cargo Operations Agent at cargo airlines and freight forwarders.
• FBO Senior Line Service Technician at Florida FBOs.
• Deicing Crew Member with additional deicing-specific certification.

Special Information

Equipment-Specific Certification

Operation of specific ground support equipment generally requires employer-provided equipment-specific training and certification. AVS0092C provides foundational knowledge; employers typically provide make-and-model specific training for the GSE in their fleet.

Aviation Drug-and-Alcohol Testing and Security Threat Assessment

Continuing requirements from AVS0091C apply.

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

AVS0092C clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 150 to 250 clock hours.