Walkaround & Aircraft Safety Inspection Module - Practical Training for Ground Handling Operations
The Walkaround & Aircraft Safety Inspection Module is part of our GSE Simulator and reflects globally recognized ground handling practices used daily at airports around the world. The module is built around procedures that are commonly applied by airlines and ground handling providers, regardless of region, aircraft type, or regulatory environment.
Exterior aircraft inspections are a fundamental safety barrier before any aircraft movement or servicing activity and play a key role in accident prevention, damage reduction, and maintaining operational continuity during ground operations.
A short video presenting the Walkaround & Aircraft Safety Inspection Module is available below, showing the inspection flow, component interaction, and trainee interface in a realistic operational environment.
Exterior Walkaround and Inspection Flow
The module trains a structured exterior walkaround and inspection flow, consistent with real-world apron procedures. Trainees perform a systematic inspection around the aircraft, following a logical sequence that mirrors everyday ground handling operations.
As the student approaches a specific aircraft component, a dedicated visual indicator appears, displaying:
Component name being inspected
Inspection progress
Confirmation once the inspection is completed
This approach reinforces both procedural discipline and correct component identification, which are essential for accurate reporting and communication within ramp teams.
Safety Around Aircraft and Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Safe working practices around aircraft and ground support equipment are a core element of apron operations and are treated as a separate focus within the module.
Rather than guiding the trainee step by step, the system places full responsibility on the student to manage safe positioning, spacing, and movement around the aircraft and nearby equipment. This mirrors real-world conditions, where ground handling staff must continuously assess risk while multiple activities take place around the aircraft.
The training reinforces globally accepted safety principles commonly applied during ramp operations, including:
maintaining safe distances from operating GSE
respecting equipment operating envelopes
remaining within designated safe zones during ground operations
Low-Visibility and Night Operations
A large part of ground handling activity takes place during night shifts or in reduced visibility conditions. These environments significantly increase operational risk and require stricter discipline during exterior inspections.
The Walkaround Module includes scenarios that realistically simulate low-light and limited-visibility conditions. Trainees must adapt their inspection flow, scanning techniques, and movement around the aircraft to ensure that critical details are not missed despite reduced visual cues. This reflects everyday apron operations, where inspections are often performed under time pressure and imperfect lighting.
Critical Point Checks
The Walkaround Module trains inspection of critical aircraft areas that are routinely checked during ground operations. These inspections reflect standard responsibilities assigned to ground handling staff during aircraft turnaround and pre-movement activities.
These areas represent typical inspection points assigned to ground handling staff prior to aircraft movement.
For clarity and efficient scanning, the inspection focuses on:
engines and nacelles
landing gear and wheel assemblies
sensors, probes, and static ports
aircraft doors and external panels
During the walkaround, trainees are required to identify common operational hazards such as fluid leaks, visible damage, and missing or unsecured components. These findings represent issues that, if not detected early, may lead to aircraft damage, safety occurrences, or operational delays.
Responsibility, Assessment, and Feedback
The module is intentionally designed without step-by-step prompts. Responsibility for completing the walkaround rests entirely with the trainee, reflecting real-world inspection practices.
Once the inspection is completed, the system provides clear visual feedback showing which components have been inspected and which have been missed. After each session or assessment, a detailed inspection summary is generated, supporting instructor debriefing, competency evaluation, and recurrent training programs.
Modular Design and Operational Flexibility
The Walkaround solution is fully modular and customizable, allowing operators to adapt the training to their specific operational environment.
Configuration options include:
adding or removing aircraft components from the inspection checklist
adapting inspection flows to different aircraft types
aligning training content with internal procedures and operational scope
This flexibility reflects the reality of ground handling operations, where inspection requirements vary depending on aircraft configuration, contract scope, and local practices.
Standalone Training or Operational Integration
The module can be deployed either as a standalone training solution or as part of wider operational scenarios such as pushback or towing. In both cases, it reinforces a fundamental operational principle: aircraft movement should only begin once a proper exterior inspection has been completed.
FOD Awareness in the Gate and Apron Environment
The Walkaround Module is frequently paired with FOD awareness training focused on the apron and gate environment.
For quick reference, the FOD scope includes:
identification of common types of foreign object debris near aircraft
safe removal and handling of FOD during ground operations
These scenarios reflect real situations encountered during pushback, towing, and aircraft servicing, where FOD presents a direct hazard to aircraft, engines, personnel, and equipment.
Why This Training Matters
Across the aviation industry, incomplete or ineffective walkarounds remain a recurring contributor to aircraft damage, ground incidents, and operational disruptions. By training personnel in a realistic virtual environment that mirrors everyday ground handling operations, the Walkaround & Aircraft Safety Inspection Module supports procedural consistency, individual responsibility, and operational readiness for organizations operating worldwide.
