Flighline Operations
Flightline environments are fraught with FOD issues. Because a flightline is outside, it is susceptible to an uncontrolled environment which can cause havoc to any well prepared FOD program. Winds, ice, snow, trash blowing, concrete erosion, etc.
A flightline requires constant attention by all who use it. A good practice of flightline employees is to keep their heads down and looking at the ground whenever possible. This practice does sound counterintuitive, but when an employee is looking at the ground when walking they have a better chance of seeing FOD.
Because of the numerous outside factors of a flightline, FOD can be introduced right after a FOD walk/sweep. Therefore, constantly looking down helps to find FOD, that was either overlooked or introduced, after a FOD walk/sweep.
Flighline FOD Walk/Sweep
In a flightline environment, a FOD walk or sweep consists of several people walking closely together in a shoulder to shoulder line looking at the ground for any debris/foreign objects. This should be done where feasible. Parking spaces and lesser used taxiways are prime locations for a FOD walk.
A sweep is simply one or more people conducting a last look prior to engine start or before an aircraft returns. Walking around the parking space looking for debris is a last chance assurance that the space is FOD free.
Whenever any work is performed in a flightline environment from refueling to panel removal to baggage handling, a FOD sweep should always be the last action performed before leaving the area.
Tire Check
Vehicle tires are a continual place for FOD introduction into an FCA. Tire tread picks up FOD easily and this FOD needs to be removed prior to entering an FCA.
Vehicle operators will stop and perform a visual FOD inspection on all equipment and tires prior to entering a flightline. A tire check line will be painted where the check is to be performed. This line must be located prior to entering an FCA. A sign at the FOD checkpoint also helps to reaffirm that vehicle operators understand that a tire check is required.
Although anyone in the vehicle can perform a tire check, the person responsible that a tire check is performed is the vehicle operator.
The vehicle will stop at the line. A tire check will be accomplished to ensure all rocks and other debris are removed from the tires. Once the initial check is performed, the driver will then drive forward enough so that the bottom of the tire from the previous check is now visible. Another tire check is performed and then the vehicle is allowed entry into an FCA.
Because a roll over check is required, the tire check line will be far enough back from an ECP so that there is room to perform the roll over check.
Anyone who can drive in an FCA needs to have proper tire check instruction prior to being allowed to drive in an FCA.
Magnetic Bars
Use of magnetic bars on vehicles is optional. If used, the magnetic bars will be located on the front of a vehicle. It needs to be low enough to be effective, but not so low that it will touch the ground when the vehicle goes over bumps. Magnetic bars will be inspected and made FOD free prior to the beginning of each shift.
Caution should be used with magnetic bars as they can be more of a hindrance than a help with FOD control. First, if they do pick up FOD, it is impossible to know where the FOD came from which makes an investigation of the FOD’s source impossible.
If the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, or hits a bump, it can shake the FOD that was on the bar off, creating a secondary FOD hazard.
If a magnetic bar is used, it requires attention and precautions should be taken to ensure that it does not become a way for FOD to travel from one location to another.
