Nearly 40% of incidents and hazards submitted to Nimbl’s platform in 2025 occurred during ground operations. Whether you’re part of a corporate flight department, work at an FBO, or provide contracted maintenance, staying prepared for the risks that arise on the ramp is essential to safe, efficient operations.

From aircraft parking and towing to fueling and facility hazards, ground operations carry more risk than many teams realize, and most incidents can be properly addressed with the right procedures in place.

To help your team stay ahead of these risks, we put together a Ground Operations Checklist — a tool that covers the three most common ground operations hazards and the steps you can take to reduce them.

Avoiding Collisions & Safe Aircraft Parking

Are your towing, marshaling, and parking procedures clear enough to prevent a ground collision? This section covers aircraft-to-aircraft separation, marshaling protocols, and towing procedures, including added precautions for night operations.

Aircraft Fueling — Quantity, Quality & Safety

Is your team verifying fuel type, quantity, and quality every time, making sure your safety protocols are airtight? This section walks through fuel quality assurance, uplift verification, and safe fueling operations, from bonding and earthing to exclusion zones.

Facility and Building Issues

Could your facility itself be introducing risk? This section covers equipment, signage, egress, and routine walkthroughs to keep your building as safe as your ramp.

In all areas, proactive planning is essential to avoid delays, risks, and other potential disruptions to your operations. Use this checklist as a starting point for reviewing your ground operations procedures; safety starts with being proactive.