Aircraft Departure Qualification (ADQ) Training Course
Enhance your personnel’s airside ramp skills with our specialised Aircraft Departure Qualification (ADQ) training.
Introduction
This Aircraft Departure Qualification (ADQ) training course certifies personnel in critical aircraft departure procedures, supporting safe, efficient and compliant ground handling operations.
The programme begins with a classroom based theoretical safety module, followed by on ramp simulated and live practical training tailored to the specific equipment in use. Participants receive hands on instruction in communication protocols, safety procedures and operational practices. The course concludes with live demonstrations, supervised operations and a final competency assessment.
Fully aligned with IATA IGOM and airline specific SOPs, this training meets the requirements of IATA AHM 1110 (RMP12 and RMP15), ensuring compliance with industry standards.
We can provide training for the following key aircraft departure roles:
Aircraft Pushback & Towing (Conventional Tug and Towbarless)
Headset Operator (Ground to Flight Deck Headset Communication & Engine Start)
We can provide this training as individual modules or a complete package.
Duration: 1 day for theory, practical is dependent on number of participants.
Maximum participants: 10 per course.
Delivery method: Theory (Classroom) & Practical (Live environment), both instructor-led.
Continuing qualification: IATA recommends that refresher training is undertaken every 36 months.
To achieve ADQ qualification, participants must successfully complete both theoretical and practical assessments.
By ensuring ground personnel are fully trained and certified, the ADQ programme supports safe, efficient and compliant aircraft departure operations across all ground handling environments.
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1. Why is it important?
Aircraft departure operations are safety critical activities that require precise coordination, clear communication and strict adherence to procedures. Tasks such as aircraft pushback and ground to flight deck communication directly impact aircraft safety, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
Errors during aircraft departure can lead to aircraft damage, safety incidents or operational disruption. Properly trained personnel ensure that departure procedures are carried out safely, efficiently and in accordance with industry standards, reducing risk and supporting on time performance.
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2. Who should attend?
This aircraft departure training course is intended for:
Ramp agents and ground handling personnel involved in aircraft pushback and headset operations
Supervisors and team leaders seeking formal qualification in aircraft departure procedures
Personnel requiring re-certification or refresher training to maintain operational competence and compliance
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3. Course objectives
By the end of this aircraft departure training course, participants will be able to:
Understand the principles, safety requirements and regulatory standards for aircraft pushback and headset communication
Demonstrate the correct use of ground handling equipment and aircraft departure procedures
Communicate clearly and effectively with flight crews using standard aviation phraseology
Perform safe and controlled aircraft pushback operations in accordance with IATA AHM, ICAO requirements and local SOPs
Identify, assess and mitigate hazards associated with aircraft departure and ramp operations
Key topics
Aircraft pushback & towing
Roles, responsibilities and coordination of aircraft pushback and towing operations, including gate and stand preparation and aircraft specific requirements
Pre operation procedures, including pre pushback and pre tow checks, planning and safety verification
Operation of ground handling equipment, including conventional and towbarless tractors, steering bypass systems and main gear handling
Aircraft connection, disconnection and movement procedures, including towing to and from stand and hangar areas
Communication protocols, including radio communication procedures, flight deck coordination and Air Traffic Control interaction
Management of irregular conditions, emergencies and compliance with aerodrome regulations, safety requirements and operational best practices
Headset Operator
(Ground to Flight Deck Communication & Engine Start)
Equipment overview
Communication dialogue and standard phraseology
Headset communication procedures for arrivals
Headset communication procedures for departures and engine starts
Headset communication during aircraft towing operations
Communication during emergency situations
Qualification
Completion of theoretical and practical training assessments.
Adherence to IATA IGOM and airline-specific SOPs.
Regular recurrent training to maintain compliance and safety standards.
High Quality Training Materials
Transferring knowledge and skills through the training process can be a demanding activity. Regulation and industry best practice demands that the standard of training is always high.
We supply several organisations with training material for a range of ground operations and ground handling training. Whether it's off the shelf or bespoke, our material is designed to not only be compliant and up-to-date, but also relevant, easy to follow and engaging.
To that make sure that the course material is fully absorbed we have placed an intense focus on producing high quality training materials that can be referred back to by the student whenever they need.
The quality and variety of material, that is used within the training environment, is essential for maintaining engagement, and delivering your training objectives.
Writing training material can be a complex and time-consuming job for any organisation. Ensuring that content is aligned, compliant and appropriately approved can be an arduous task at the best of times, but ensuring that it's also interesting and effective makes it more of a challenge, but we are here to help you.
This is a highly cost effective method of outsourcing a critical but time-consuming task. Whether we design your sessions, train your instructors to deliver our material or whether we deliver it in its entirety, we are likely to have a solution that will meet your requirement.
Typically, material sets can include any or all of:
Participants Guide - provides supplementary, lower level detail to complement the instructors presentation
Instructors Guide - includes lesson plans and a step by step guide on each session
Slide Pack - includes comprehensive visual aids and high level information for participants
Hand-outs - exercises and relevant information for participants
Ready to work together?
Get in touch with us today if this training course sounds right for your workforce and we will get back to you for a consultation.
Alternatively, should you have any specific requirements we would be happy to carry out a detailed training needs analysis to establish what best suits your organisation.
Please note: we only provide this training course for our clients as an 'in company' training course. Unfortunately, we don't offer this course for private individuals.
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