Home › Aviation Training › Airside Safety – Operational level
Airside Safety / Co-activity Training – Operational level
For ramp agents and ground handling staff: working safely under and around the aircraft, from arrival to departure, alongside the other companies on the apron.
Airside safety
Course overview
During a turnaround, several companies work at the same time around the same aircraft: ground handling, fuelling, catering, cleaning, maintenance. This co-activity multiplies the risks: collisions with vehicles, aircraft damage, jet blast, propellers, falls.
The course teaches staff to spot hazards, assess risks before and during each task and apply the right actions at every phase of the turnaround. It is based on the ACI Airside Safety Handbook, INRS guidance on co-activity, Regulation (EU) 2025/20 and IATA AHM 1110, with real marshalling and apron footage.
Key facts
Duration, formats and assessment
Duration
About 7 hours online: 7 video modules, 11 PDF sheets, 7 quizzes and a final exam.
Self-paced, on computer, tablet or smartphone.
Formats
E-learning on aero-consulting-online.com (individual access, 24/7).
On-site, live video or blended sessions to train a team at your station.
Teaching methods
Narrated videos of real apron situations.
Illustrated study sheets and regulatory sheets.
Practice quiz after each module.
Assessment
Final exam: 20 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes.
80% correct answers required (16 out of 20); two attempts.
Certificate
Personal PDF certificate issued as soon as you pass the exam.
3-year validity: maximum recurrent training interval of 36 months set by Regulation (EU) 2025/20 (ORGH.TRG.100), applicable from 27 March 2028, and already recommended by IATA AHM 1110. Your employer’s or the airline’s requirements may be stricter.
Price
€45 per learner (e-learning).
Companies and groups: quote on request, volume discounts.
Learning objectives
On completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Know the rules of the movement area and the absolute right of way of aircraft.
- Know who works under and around the aircraft and what each person does.
- Identify the hazards of ground handling and co-activity during a turnaround.
- Assess risks before and during each task.
- Apply the right actions on arrival, during the turnaround and on departure.
- Know your rights and duties: PPE, right to stop work in the face of serious danger, occurrence reporting.
Why airside safety training for ramp staff?
The apron is one of the most exposed working environments at an airport: moving vehicles, aircraft arriving or pushing back, noise, weather and tight turnaround times. Most apron accidents come from poor coordination between the companies working around the aircraft.
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20 requires ground handling service providers to give their staff initial and recurrent training, at least every 36 months, from 27 March 2028. This course prepares for it today. It complements the FOD training and does not replace an airside driving permit.
Course content
Module 1 – The movement area and its rules
Areas, markings, traffic, aircraft right of way, FOD.
Module 2 – Who works around the aircraft
Each party’s role and position around the aircraft.
Module 3 – Hazards and risk assessment
Hazard, risk, checking the stand before work.
Module 4 – Prevention and safety duties
PPE, driving rules, prohibitions, right to stop work, reporting.
Module 5 – Aircraft arrival
Stand preparation, marshalling, making the aircraft safe (real footage).
Module 6 – The turnaround
Co-activity, fuelling, loading, degraded situations.
Module 7 – Aircraft departure
Closing doors, removing equipment, pushback, final check.
Regulatory sheets
Airport rules and airside driving, health and safety at work, aviation framework for ground handling.
Final exam
20 multiple-choice questions, then your certificate.
Who should attend and prerequisites
The course is for anyone who works on the apron:
- Ramp agents, baggage handlers and loaders.
- Ground support equipment (GSE) drivers.
- Fuelling, cleaning and catering staff.
- Air bridge operators and contractors working around the aircraft.
Prerequisites: understand and read English; no prior knowledge required.
FAQ – Airside Safety – Operational level
What is co-activity on the apron?
During a turnaround, several companies work at the same time around the same aircraft: ground handling, fuelling, catering, cleaning, maintenance. Their activities create risks for each other; the course teaches staff to spot these risks and work together safely.
Is this training mandatory?
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20 requires initial and recurrent training for ground handling staff from 27 March 2028. Employers are also required by occupational health and safety law to train their staff in safety.
How long does the course take?
About 7 hours, at your own pace, in one or several sessions. Each module takes about 45 minutes including the quiz.
How is the certificate issued?
As soon as you pass the final exam (20 questions, 80% correct answers), your personal certificate can be downloaded as a PDF.
How long is the certificate valid?
3-year validity: maximum recurrent training interval of 36 months set by Regulation (EU) 2025/20 (ORGH.TRG.100), applicable from 27 March 2028, and already recommended by IATA AHM 1110. Your employer’s or the airline’s requirements may be stricter.
What is the difference with the Manager level?
The Operational level is for staff working on the apron. The Manager level is for turnaround managers, supervisors and managers: responsibilities, coordination between companies, risk assessment and safety management.
Related courses
See all our aviation training courses in English
E-learningTake the Airside Safety – Operational level course online on Aero Consulting Online
Training a team?
Tell us the number of participants, the format and your preferred dates: we will send you a proposal within 48 hours. Volume discounts on request.
Training organisation registered in France – NDA 76 34 15133 34
Version imprimable
Plan du site
© Aero Consulting – Conseil, audit et formation en réglementation aéronautique EASA depuis 2005. France, Europe, États-Unis, Afrique, Océanie. Tél. +33 (0)6 19 35 38 81
