AIRCRAFT TOWING

AIRCRAFT TOWING

• Normally aircraft towing is carried out by trained personnel and the pilot’s only involvement is riding the brakes.

NOTE: When requested to release the brakes, during towing operations, the toe brakes should first be applied and held followed by the parking brake being released then the tow brakes are released. This will prevent transferring of hydraulic fluids from the #2 hydraulic system into the #1 system.

CAUTION: MAXIMUM NORMAL TOWING LIMITS ARE INDICATED BY PAINTED ARROWS ON THE NOSE WHEEL DOORS. (120 DEGREES FROM EACH SIDE OF CENTER). CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED NOT TO EXCEED THE TURNING LIMITS IN ORDER TO AVOID DAMAGING THE NOSE GEAR.

WARNING : BEFORE TOWING AIRCRAFT ENSURE THAT THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING SWITCH IS “OFF” BEFORE ATTACHING THE TOW BAR AND REMAINS “OFF” DURING TOWING OPERATIONS. ON COMPLETION OF TOWING, OR PARKING, NOSE WHEEL MUST BE CENTERED BEFORE DISCONNECTING THE TOW BAR OR INJURY COULD RESULT TO PERSONNEL IF THE NOSE WHEEL SWITCH WAS INADVERTENTLY SWITCHED TO “ON” AND THE NOSE WHEEL RETURNED TO CENTER.

•Ensure that the nose gear ground lock is engaged and that the main gear ground lock pins are installed prior to towing.

WARNING : IF THE NOSE GEAR GROUND LOCK CANNOT BE ENGAGED PROPERLY, IT COULD BE AN INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTION OF THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY.IN SUCH A CASE, IMMEDIATELY SUPPORT THE AIRCRAFT AT THE NOSE BEFORE CARRYING OUT ANY INVESTIGATION.

•Check the brake accumulator pressure gage located in the right side of the aircraft fuselage under the wing to ensure sufficient pressure (2500 psi minimum). Pump up the accumulator pressure with the hand pump as required.

• If the 28 V DC R Main Bus can be energized, refer to the parking brake hydraulics gauge pressure indicator in the flight compartment to determine available brake pressure.

2500 psi minimum for towing operations

CAUTION: DURING TOWING OPERATIONS ONLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY.

• Station a crew member in the flight deck compartment to operate the parking brake if necessary.

• Limit aircraft towing speed to a maximum of 5 MPH.

• Ensure that the tow bar is properly hooked up and that the engagement locks are full positioned in the lock position.

CAUTION: CERTAIN MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS OF THE GEAR SYSTEM MAY REQUIRE THAT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL INSERT THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING LOCK, WHICH IS PART OF THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY. VISUALLY CHECK THAT THIS LOCK HAS BEEN DISENGAGED BEFORE COMMENCING TOWING OPERATIONS.

CAUTION:The Dash 8 has an unusually high tail compared to other aircraft of similar size and category. The tail may not clear the majority of hangar doors. Specially designed tow bar are used in this case to raise the nose which lowers the tail.

24 ft. 5”

END OF AIRCRAFT TOWING