Airport marshaller – who is the ground movement coordinator?

🕗 6 minutes | August 12, 2024 | Text Mateusz Łapuć

Have you ever watched airplanes taxiing at an airport? If so, you’ve probably noticed a “Follow Me” car leading an aircraft along the taxiways. The person inside this vehicle is none other than the ground movement coordinator, a crucial figure at every airport. Who exactly is the airport marshaller, and what are their responsibilities? Read on to find out!

Aircraft ground handling is a highly responsible process that requires coordination between air traffic services and airport ground operations teams. Efficient airport operations depend on precise traffic management and strict procedures, ensuring safety in aviation.

One of the key figures in this process is the airport marshaller, also known as the ground movement coordinator or aircraft marshaller. What does their job involve?

One of the marshaller’s primary duties is directing aircraft to their designated parking positions using specific visual signals. The marshaller communicates critical commands to pilots, such as:

• Turn left / turn right
• Move forward / stop
• Slow down / speed up
• Shut down the engine

They also ensure proper aircraft separation, coordinate safe ground movement, and act as an intermediary between the flight crew and air traffic control (ATC).

Monitoring aircraft movements on the ground requires precision, excellent situational awareness, and strong decision-making skills. Marshals must also have a profound understanding of airport layouts and be able to react quickly in stressful situations.

As a ground movement coordinator, an airport marshaller communicates visually with pilots to guide them into position. This is done using internationally recognized hand signals with illuminated orange batons.

These non-verbal signals allow safe aircraft movement at night or in low-visibility conditions, such as fog or heavy rain.

Aircraft ground operations rely on precise and standardized hand signals. There are approximately 25 universally recognized signals that must be performed with absolute clarity to avoid misunderstandings.

Marshalling is particularly crucial at large, complex airports with heavy traffic, where proper coordination is vital for safety.

The most commonly used hand signals include:

• Indicating the desired taxi direction
• Directing the aircraft to its parking position
• Signalling normal or emergency stops
• Instructing the pilot to apply or release brakes
• Indicating acceleration or deceleration
• Signaling engine start-up or shutdown
• Confirming actions

In addition to wearing a high-visibility uniform and using hand signals, marshals rely heavily on the Follow Me vehicle.

🚘 Why is the Follow Me car essential?

• It guides aircraft through taxiways to their parking stands or runways.
• It improves visibility and communication between ground staff and pilots.
• It is particularly useful in low-visibility conditions or when navigating complex airport layouts.

At busy airports, where pilots may be unfamiliar with the taxiway system, the Follow Me vehicle ensures safe and efficient ground movements, reducing the risk of mistakes and miscommunication.

Being an airport marshaller requires both physical and mental preparedness. The ideal candidate should have:

• Quick decision-making abilities
• Strong spatial awareness
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
• A profound understanding of airport procedures
• The ability to work under pressure

Working in airport ground operations requires both practical skills and formal training. To become an airport marshaller at a controlled airport, candidates must:

• Complete a theoretical training course
• Pass written and practical exams
• Gain hands-on experience in real airport operations

The training program covers airport safety procedures, airfield layouts, and ground movement protocols. Interestingly, it also includes aviation ecology, particularly ornithology, since birds pose a hazard to landing and departing aircraft.