Ground Handling; Towing; Parking - Daher-Socata TBM 900 Pilot's Information Manual

PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK

8.6 - GROUND HANDLING

ONLY MOVE OR TOW THE AIRPLANE WITH SOMEONE IN THE COCKPIT

TOWING

USING THE PROPELLER FOR GROUND HANDLING COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS
DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY IF PRESSURE OR PULL IS EXERTED ON BLADE TIPS
The airplane should be moved on the ground with a towing bar and a suitable vehicle in order not to damage the
nose gear steering mechanism. Nose gear fork is equipped with an integrated towing fitting.
DO NOT TOW THE AIRPLANE WHEN CONTROLS ARE SECURED
WHEN TOWING WITH A VEHICLE, DO NOT EXCEED THE NOSE GEAR TURNING ANGLE,
AS THIS MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE GEAR AND STEERING MECHANISM
(see Figure 8.6.1)

PARKING

When parking the airplane, head it into the wind. Do not set the parking brake when brakes are overheated or
during cold weather when accumulated moisture may freeze the brakes. Care should be taken when using the
parking brake for an extended period of time during which an air temperature rise or drop could cause difficulty in
releasing the parking brake or damage the brake system.
Make sure that the fuel selector is set to "OFF".
Do not use solar screens or shields installed on the airplane inside, or leave sun visors
down against windshield when airplane on ground. The reflected heat from these items
causes a temperature increase which accelerates the crack growth or crazing and may
cause the formation of bubbles in the inner layer of multilayer windshields.
Beyond 24 hours parking, use windshield protection screen provided with lateral and underside straps.
For long term parking, blanking covers (static ports, pitot, engine air inlet, air/oil NACA, exhaust stubs), cockpit
cover, tie-downs, wheel chocks, propeller lock and control lock are recommended.
In severe weather and high wind conditions, tie the airplane down as outlined in the following paragraph.
TIE- -DOWN
Proper tie-down procedure is the best protection against damage to the airplane by gusty or strong winds. To
tiedown the airplane securely, proceed as follows :
Install control lock (see Figure 8.6.2).
-
- Chock all wheels.
- Tie sufficiently strong ropes or chains to hold airplane down ; insert a rope in each tie-down hole located on
flap hinge arm ; secure each rope to a ramp tie-down or to mooring rod.
- Check that doors are closed and locked.
Edition 0 -- October 31, 2013
Rev. 1
HANDLING, SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
NOTE
SECTION 8
Page 8.6.1