marshaller

A marshaller is a person responsible for directing aircraft on the ground at an airport. Their role is crucial for safe and efficient movement of aircraft, especially in busy areas like taxiways, aprons, and hangars. Marshallers use a standardized system of hand signals to communicate with pilots, guiding them into parking stands, directing them to taxiways, or indicating where to stop. This visual communication is essential because engine noise can make verbal communication difficult.

The signals used by marshallers are internationally recognized, ensuring that pilots from any airline or country can understand them. These signals typically involve movements of the arms and hands to indicate directions such as forward, backward, stop, slow down, and turn. Marshallers also pay close attention to the aircraft's position relative to other aircraft, ground vehicles, and airport infrastructure to prevent collisions. They often wear high-visibility clothing and may use illuminated wands or lights at night or in low-visibility conditions to be easily seen by pilots.

The job requires a good understanding of aviation procedures, aircraft types, and airport layouts. Marshallers work closely with air traffic control and ground crew to coordinate aircraft movements. Their primary objective is to ensure the safety of all personnel and equipment on the ground while minimizing delays in aircraft operations. The role of a marshaller is a specialized and vital component of airport operations.