907

The Role Of The Apron Movement Control Unit In Ground Handling

Operations

Shofi Salsabilla, Laila Rochmawati*, Prasetyo Iswahyudi

Politeknik Penerbangan Surabaya, Jalan Jemur Andayani I No 73, Kota Surabaya, 60236
*Corresponding Author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract
Kalimarau Airport is a Class 1 Airport Service Unit located in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province. Is an airport
that provides air flight services. To meet the needs of services on the land side and on the air side, the airport cooperates
with other parties. Observers conducted research at this airport using observational. To find out the role of the Apron
Movement Control (AMC) unit in ground handling operations at Kalimarau Berau Airport. It is hoped that observers
will know the use of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) by ground handling officers at Kalimarau Airport. This study
uses research methods using qualitative methods and data collection methods, namely using descriptive qualitative
methods, namely describing the conditions that occur in the research object. Data obtained from direct observation,
literature study, descriptive and interviews. Monitoring the orderliness of ground handling officers is part of Apron
Movement Control (AMC) duties. There are markings on the apron that are not yet available at Kalimarau Airport,
namely staging area markings that have a function as a place for Ground Support Equipment (GSE) while waiting or
standing by on the apron. Some things that can be optimized are increasing awareness of orders among ground
handling officers in the use of Ground Support Equipment (GSE). In order to create a safe and orderly Kalimarau
airport environment. Some things that can be optimized are increasing awareness of orders among ground handling
officers in the use of Ground Support Equipment (GSE). In order to create a safe and orderly Kalimarau airport
environment. Some things that can be optimized are increasing awareness of orders among ground handling officers
in the use of Ground Support Equipment (GSE). So that the movement of vehicles on the air side can be more directed
and safe.

Keywords: Apron Movement Control, Ground Handling, Ground Support Equipment

Introduction According to previous research [7] [8] [9]

excellent airport service will be a reflection of service
Improvement of an activity such as comparing tourism, bearing in mind that the airport is no longer a
and analyzing the results of activities is needed to mere passenger entry and exit gate but also a means of
improve the quality of service to passengers. According recreation, entertainment, and tourism information
to previous research [1] [2] [3] evaluation is a process or service center. Services provided by Kalimarau Berau
tool to measure the level of success that has been Airport to meet the service needs of passengers. There
achieved by students in the lesson or material that has are 2 types of services, namely the land side and the air
been given. Thus, evaluation helps determine learning side, the airport cooperates with other parties. According
objectives accurately and convincingly. Based on to previous research [10] [11] [12] all activities carried
previous research [4] [5] aircraft parking stand is aircraft out by ground handling officers are supervised by Apron
parking on the apron for conducting ground services Movement Control (AMC) officers. The Apron
activities, accommodates more than one aircraft, Movement Control (AMC) Unit has the duties of
performs manoeuvrability safely and sets through the supervising aircraft movements, being in charge of flight
configuration model. It depends on the size of the area operational services, vehicle traffic, people and
and the number of aircraft being served. According to cleanliness in the airside area and recording flight data.
previous research [6] Airport surface operations, such as According to previous research [13] regarding
off-block control, taxi routing, and runway sequencing, airport business activities ground handling is related
are typically confined to a fixed network topology with services to support aircraft operational service activities
given origin–destination (OD) pairs for departures and at airports. The role of the Apron Movement Control
arrivals. (AMC) unit in supporting the aviation security and safety
system at Kalimarau Berau Airport is to carry out
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inspections in the runway, taxiway and apron areas and Do a description of what the author saw, heard, and
to control on the air side by issuing provisions relating to felt
the operation of vehicles on the air side and Supervise 2. reduction stage
violations committed by ground handling units that do Researchers reduce all the information gathered in
not use airport passes, expired driving license signs, the first stage so they can concentrate on a particular
licenses and irregular placement of Ground Support problem
Equipment (GSE). 3. Selection stage
According to previous research [14] concerning After providing a more detailed description of the
the requirements and procedures for operating vehicles focus you have set, consider the focus of the problem
on the air side regarding traffic rules in the movement as a whole. The result is new knowledge, hypotheses,
area in article 28 which reads that every driver is or even theories created from the collected data
prohibited from parking a vehicle on or near the
movement area in the vehicle's cross lane. Based on The following is the author's research design:
previous research [15] [16] [17] aircraft ground handling
is an essential part of an air operation and determines its
punctuality and safety. Ground support equipment
vehicles (GSE) are used in most of the handling tasks.
Description
In accordance with the applicable regulations,
namely the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for
Kalimarau Airport, Berau, action should be taken on the
basis of the responsibility of the airport management to
take strict action against any violations. Even though reduction
there has been a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in
force to serve as a reference for the implementation of
security and order on the air side, irregularities have still
been found. From the results of observations made by the
author there are several deviations that occur, such as:
1. Ground Support Equipment (GSE) that is placed in Selectio
the wrong place
2. Nothere is an Equipment Staging Area (ESA) Figure 1. Stages of Research Implementation
marking on the apron [24]
3. Lack of supervision by Apron Movement Control
(AMC) Data collection technique
Based on previous research [18] [19] [20] to
improve this key area of aviation safety, it is necessary Observation
to identify the causal factors that underlie accidents and According to previous research [25] [26] [27] in
incidents and to understand their impacts. According to qualitative research, the basic technique that can be used
previous research [21] Airport personnel license states is observation. The purpose of observation is to describe
that Apron Movement Control (AMC) aircraft control what was learned, the activities that took place, the
personnel are airport personnel who have a license and people involved, and the meaning of events from their
rating to carry out supervision of order, safety of traffic perspective.
movement on the apron and aircraft parking placement.
According to [22] airport personnel namely competence Library Studies
development of airport personnel carried out in the form According to the opinion of [28] After
of education or training, refreshment and outreach. formulating the problem, the next step is to look for
To fulfill the objectives of this research, this theories, concepts or generalizations that can be used as
question is asked what is the role of the Apron a theoretical basis for the research being carried out.
Movement Control (AMC) unit in ground handling Literature study conducted by the author includes rules
operations at Kalimarau Berau Airport? and requirements for reviewing things that are
considered to cause problems, guidelines and references
Methods for understanding involved in problem discussions, and
elaboration of problem titles.
Research design
The steps taken by the author to determine the
research design must be based on the problems and
research objectives. There are several stages or steps
taken in conducting research. According to previous
research [23] There are three main stages in qualitative
research, namely:
1. Description stage or orientation stage
 909

Interview 2 The carts are

Interviews were conducted face-to-face or not neatly
without face-to-face to obtain further information about arranged and
the problem or information being studied. Interviews are parked
conversations between informants, who are considered haphazardly
to have and will provide important information about due to the
something, and researchers, who hope to get information. Source: Author, 2023
absence of an
Documentation Equipment
Staging Area
Documentation is a data collection technique in
(ESA) and a
the form of a collection of notes, transcripts, books,
journals, papers, videos, photos, minutes, etc. that are lack of
approved for use in an observation or research and can supervision by
be used as a theoretical basis or main guideline for Apron
conducting a research. One of the secondary data sources Movement
needed in a research is documentation. Control
Results and Discussion (AMC).
Ground
Research Result handling
officers After
Table 1. Research result
using the
No Observation / Field study Analysis Ground
1 The placement Support
of Baggage Equipment
Towing (GSE) they are
Tractor (BTT) not rearranged
and carts when to their
Source: Author, 2023 they are not in original place
use is not because they
neatly are on stand by
arranged due waiting to
to the lack of serve the next
awareness of aircraft
ground 3 Wheelbarrows
handling that are not
personnel in propped up in
placing the apron area
Ground due
Support Source: Author, 2023 lack of
Equipment oversight by
(GSE). After Apron
using Ground Movement
Support Control
Equipment (AMC) when
(GSE) it is not present
rearranged as loadinggoods
before and can from plane to
block road cart
access for 4 Push back
other service carwhich is
activities placed on the
service road so
Source: Author, 2023 that it can
 910

interfere with duties not in accordance with the Standard Operating

Procedure (SOP), the Apron Movement Control (AMC)
other activities
officer has the authority to take action against the ground
that require the handling officer. Apron Movement Control (AMC)
use of the oversees the performance of ground handling officers by
service road conducting direct supervision. This is due to the absence
route due to a of supporting facilities such as Closed Circuit Television
lack of (CCTV) to monitor ground handling activities from
within the Apron Movement Control (AMC) room.
supervision so
Kalimarau Airport does not have an Equipment
that the push Staging Area marking (ESA) in the apron areabecause the
back car is apron design is less organized from the start. There is a
parked on the plan to develop apron markings regarding Marking
service road Equipment Staging Area (ESA) but still in process at the
which is not in Kalimarau Airport administration office. This process
accordance takes a long time because it is necessary to make
adjustments to the conditions and situation of the apron.
with its
This was done by Apron Movement Control (AMC)
function personnel before give sanctions to ground handling
5 Baggage officers who do violations, namely seeing what
Towing violations or mistakes were made the ground handling
Tractor(BTT) officer. The imposition of these sanctions is in
is used by 2 accordance with the violations committed, such as the
Source: Author, 2023 violation is still relatively light, so only a warning is given
people which
to the officer, but if the violation is serious, the officer
should not be will be detained with a Driving License (TIM) and get a
done because ban from being directly involved in the activity.
only the To increase the awareness of ground handling
operator can officers can be done in various ways, namely
drive the reprimanding directly, holding impromptu inspections,
Baggage and conducting socialization regarding the ramp safety
campaign. With flight traffic that is not busy, 5 Apron
Towing
Movement Control (AMC) personnel are sufficient
Tractor (BTT) without requiring additional personnel. Because 5 Apron
due to the lack Movement Control (AMC) personnel are sufficient,
of supervision things that need to be improved are from aspects of
of the use of facilities such as addition of Closed Circuit Television
the Baggage (CCTV). The addition of Closed Circuit Television
Towing (CCTV) will greatly assist Apron Movement Control
(AMC) personnel in conducting surveillance. The role of
Tractor (BTT)
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is very useful
and the lack of because it can monitor in all directions and if an event or
awareness incident occurs at the airside it can be recorded and makes
possessed by it easier to carry out an investigation. So that the
the Baggage supervision carried out by Apron Movement Control
Towing (AMC) can be maximized. Places that require Closed
Circuit Television (CCTV) installation, namely parking
Tractor (BTT)
stand areas, make up areas, and break down areas.
operator, the Based on interviews that have been conducted,
violation Apron Movement Control (AMC) personnel have a duty
like this often to supervise ground handling officers and ensure that
happens ground handling officers carry out their duties in
accordance with predetermined Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP). The supervised ground handling
Data collection officers are Ground Support Equipment (GSE) operators.
Supervision is carried out by Apron Movement Control
Apron Movement Control (AMC) personnel (AMC) by directly supervising it. The system is
have a duty to supervise ground handling officers and implemented if a ground handling officer performs
ensure that ground handling officers carry out their duties his/her duties not in accordance with the Standard
in accordance with predetermined Standard Operating Operating Procedure (SOP), then the Apron Movement
Procedures (SOP). If a ground handling officer performs
 911

Control (AMC) officer has the authority to take action Unit Control (AMC) Kalimarau Airport. Then all related
against the ground handling officer. Apron Movement activities with the movement of activities in the apron
Control (AMC) in managing the apron, namely paying area is the responsibility of Apron Movement Control
attention to safety,security, order and smoothness of (AMC). Violations committed, namely:
aircraft parking and other traffic on the apron. 1. The ground handling operator is placing Ground
Supervision of the management of the apron is carried out Support Equipment (GSE) haphazard or out of place
by the Kalimarau Airport Office and the Kalimarau 2. Ground handling officers who serve as driving
Airport Apron Movement Control Unit (AMC). So all operators. Baggage Towing Tractor (BTT) violations
activities related to movement activities in the apron area committed only the operator should be able to drive the
are the responsibility of Apron Movement Control Baggage Towing Tractor (BTT) but there are other
(AMC). officers who ride along
Violations committed, namely: 3. It often happens that the ground support equipment
1. The ground handling operator is placing the Ground (GSE) laying apron does not in accordance
Support Equipment (GSE) carelessly or out of place 4. Ground handling usually puts a push back car on a
2. The ground handling officer who served as the service road that is nothing should get in the way
operator drove the Baggage Towing Tractor (BTT) 5. When loading and unloading goods, there are no
the violation committed was that only the operator obstacles on the cart it could lead to an incident
should be able to drive the Baggage Towing Tractor If the ground handling officer commits a
(BTT) but there were other officers involved in violation then they will be given sanctions given Apron
driving Movement Control (AMC) against ground handling
3. It often happens that the ground support equipment officer depending on the violation committed by the
(GSE) laying apron is not suitable officer. If the violation is still relatively light, then only
4. Ground handling usually put a push back car on a a warning is given to that officer. Like giving a warning
service road where nothing should be blocking the letter first. But if the violation is serious then the officer
road gets a ban to be directly involved in the activity if a
5. When loading and unloading goods without placing violation is committed after being considered as a serious
a wedge on the cart it may cause an incident violation then the ground officer handling is not given
If the ground handling officer commits a access to enter the airport anymore This means that the
violation, they will be given sanctions by Apron employee is no longer able to work.
Movement Control (AMC) against the ground handling Measuring the performance of ground handling
officer depending on the violation committed by the officers is by:
officer. If the violation is still relatively light, then only 1. Ground handling officers in carrying out their duties
a warning will be given to the officer. Like giving a apply the Standards. The applicable Operational
warning letter first. However, if the violation is serious, Procedure (SOP) that has been determined by Apron
the officer is prohibited from being directly involved in Movement Control (AMC)
the activity. If the violation is considered a serious 2. Aircraft service activities have no problems such as no
violation, the ground handling officer is no longer given delays
access to the airport, which means that the officer is no caused by delays caused by the performance of officers
longer able to work. ground handling
3. Passengers do not experience problems in obtaining
Discussion of Research Results services and no loss
In imposing sanctions, Apron Movement
Based on interviews conducted by Apron Control (AMC) classifies violations that have been
Movement Control (AMC) personnel has the task of mentioned in the picture above. This sanction classified
supervising ground handling officers and ensure that into serious violations and minor violations. After that
ground handling officers carry out their duties in you can determine what sanctions are appropriate to be
accordance with Predetermined Standard Operating given to officers who commit them violation.
Procedures (SOP). Ground officer handling supervised Based on the description that the author put
namely Ground Support Equipment (GSE) operators. forward above, the results of the study are Apron
Supervision is carried out by Apron Movement Control Movement Control (AMC) personnel having various
(AMC) by means of watch him directly. The system that duties and authorities including duties in supervising
is implemented when there is a ground officer handling ground handling officers and ensuring all movement
that performs its duties not in accordance with the activities in aircraft services can run smoothly and safely.
Operational Standards Procedure (SOP) then Apron In carrying out their supervisory duties, Apron
Movement Control (AMC) officers have authority to Movement Control (AMC) personnel have a role to take
take action against ground handling officers. Apron action against ground handling officers if there is a
Movement Control (AMC) in the management of the violation in carrying out their duties. If a violation
apron namely pay attention to safety, security, order and occurs, Apron Movement Control (AMC) personnel can
smoothness of aircraft parking air and other traffic on the take several actions. Starting from mild sanctions,
apron. Supervision of apron management carried out by namely giving warnings to officers who make mistakes,
the Kalimarau Airport Office and the Apron Movement
 912

up to severe sanctions, namely holding a driver's license Movement Control (AMC), so as to create security
(TIM). and safety.
Optimization of Apron Movement Control 3. Added Equipment Staging Area (ESA) markings to
(AMC) can be done by adding facilities for monitoring. the apron to increase compliance with the use of
The addition of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
needed to help Apron Movement Control (AMC)
supervise activities on the apron, find out if there is References
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 913

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