Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist
This aircraft towing and ground movement checklist ensures compliance with FAA Advisory Circular AC 00-34A (Aircraft Ground Handling and Servicing), IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) towing procedures, aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) towing procedures, and airport vehicle operator certification requirements. Designed for airline ground crew and MRO technicians to safely tow aircraft between gates, hangars, and maintenance areas.
- Industry: Aviation
- Frequency: Per Event
- Estimated Time: 15-30 minutes
- Role: Ground Agent / Aircraft Maintenance Technician
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: FAA AC 00-34A Aircraft Ground Handling, IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) Towing, Aircraft Manufacturer AMM Towing Procedures, Airport Vehicle Operator Certification Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks
Pre-Tow Setup
Setup before towing begins.
- ATC/ground control clearance received for tow route?
- Chocks in place before connecting towbar?
- Correct towbar for aircraft type connected and locked?
- Correct shear pin installed per aircraft AMM?
- Nose gear steering bypass pin installed (if required by AMM)?
Aircraft Configuration
Aircraft readiness for tow.
- Parking brake released after towbar connected?
- All engines and APU confirmed off?
- Navigation lights on for nighttime or low-visibility tow?
- AMM nose gear turn angle limits reviewed?
- Crew member at brakes on board (if required)?
Crew and Communications
Tow crew positions.
- All tow crew briefed on route, hazards, and abort signals?
- Wing walkers at each wingtip?
- Radio communication established between tug driver and crew?
- Tug has radio capability for ATC communication?
- Stop/abort signal procedure known to entire crew?
Active Tow
Towing operations safety.
- All chocks removed before tow commences?
- Tow speed at walking pace (typically 5 mph max)?
- Adequate clearances maintained from obstacles and other aircraft?
- Nose gear turn angle limits being observed throughout tow?
- Any crew member can immediately stop the tow?
Post-Tow Completion
Aircraft configuration after tow.
- Aircraft chocked before towbar disconnection?
- Nose gear steering bypass pin removed (if installed)?
- Towbar removed and stowed?
- Parking brake set after tow completion?
- Post-tow visual inspection - no damage to aircraft?
Tow Records
Towing documentation.
- Tow movement log entry completed?
- Any tow incidents or near-misses documented?
- Any aircraft damage reported to maintenance?
- Aircraft position confirmed with operations?
- Tow Operation Notes
Related Aviation Checklists
- Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Daily Safety and Operations Checklist
- Aircraft Towing Post-Tow Verification Checklist
- Aircraft Deicing and Anti-Icing Operations Checklist
- Airline Passenger Special Assistance Handling Checklist
- Aviation MRO Hangar Safety and Operations Checklist
- Air Traffic Control Tower Daily Operations Checklist
- Aircraft Avionics System Inspection and Testing Checklist
- Airline Heavy Maintenance C-Check Inspection Checklist
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Why Use This Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist?
This aircraft towing and ground movement checklist helps aviation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for ground agent / aircraft maintenance technician professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Ensures compliance with FAA AC 00-34A Aircraft Ground Handling, IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) Towing, Aircraft Manufacturer AMM Towing Procedures, Airport Vehicle Operator Certification Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist?
A Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist is a standardized inspection form used by ground agent / aircraft maintenance technician to ensure consistent aviation operations. It contains 35 inspection points organized into 6 sections. FREE aircraft towing ground movement checklist PDF. FAA AC 00-34A, IATA IGOM, aircraft AMM towing procedures, airport vehicle operator certification compliance. 30+ towing safety checks. Download FREE template now.
How often should I use this aviation checklist?
This checklist is designed to be completed per event. Regular use ensures compliance with FAA AC 00-34A Aircraft Ground Handling and IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) Towing and helps identify issues before they become problems.
Can I download this Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist as a PDF?
Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 35 fields across 6 sections and typically takes 15-30 minutes to complete.
What compliance standards does this checklist cover?
This checklist helps ensure compliance with FAA AC 00-34A Aircraft Ground Handling, IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) Towing, Aircraft Manufacturer AMM Towing Procedures, Airport Vehicle Operator Certification Requirements, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks. Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.
How do I complete this aviation inspection checklist?
Begin by completing the header fields for Airport, Date/Time, Tow Crew Lead Name, Aircraft Type, and Aircraft Registration. Work through each of the 6 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Add notes for any issues found. The entire process takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
What are the key sections in this aviation checklist?
This aviation checklist is organized into 6 key sections: Pre-Tow Setup, Aircraft Configuration, Crew and Communications, Active Tow, Post-Tow Completion, Tow Records. Each section contains specific inspection points that ground agent / aircraft maintenance technician must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during aviation inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 15-30 minutes to complete.
Who should use this Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist?
This checklist is primarily designed for ground agent / aircraft maintenance technician working in aviation operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that aviation standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this Aircraft Towing and Ground Movement Checklist to maintain consistency and accountability.