AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MANUAL
DFE-AMM-AR1
Rev. 1 – 07/24/2014
1-5
1.5.
GROUND HANDLING
All ground handling activities described below are considered as Line Maintenance and may be
performed by Sport Pilot or higher (or Aircraft owner for ELSA).
1.5.1. Towing
It is easy to tow the airplane a short distance by holding the propeller blade root, since the empty
weight of this airplane is relatively low.
Suitable surfaces to hold the aircraft airframe are the rear part of the fuselage before the fin and the
wing roots.
A tow bar may be used to tow the aircraft over long distances. The steerable nose wheel is equipped
with stops, to limit its travel.
1.5.2. Parking the airplane
It is advisable to park the aircraft inside a hangar, or eventually inside a other weather proof space
(such as a garage) with stable temperature, good ventilation, low humidity and a dust-free environment.
It is necessary to tie-down the aircraft when parking outside.
On occasions when the plane must be tied-down outdoors for extended periods, it is advisable to
cover the cockpit canopy, and if possible, the entire aircraft using a suitable cover.
We recommend removing the battery in winter and storing it at indoor temperature.
Avoid parking airplane (especially airplane with dark design) on the direct sunshine during warm
climate - then “can effect” or wave can arise on the upper skin of the wing and fuselage. It
disappears when airplane is parked in the hangar, in the shadow or during taxiing or in flight when
airplane surface is cooled with air flow. This “can effect” or wave arise during parking has no effect
onto functionality and it cannot be subject of claim.
1.5.3. Tie-Down
The airplane is usually tied-down when parked outside a hangar. The tie-down is necessary to
protect the aircraft against possible damage caused by wind gusts.
For this reason the aircraft is equipped with tie-down eyes, located on the wing lower surface.
Procedure:
Check: Fuel valve off, Master switch and ignition switches off.
Block the control stick up e.g. by means of safety harness or connect the control stick with rudder
pedals by means of a suitable rope.
Shut all the ventilation windows
Close and lock cockpit
Tie-down the aircraft to the ground by means of a mooring rope passed through the eyes, located on
the wing lower surface. It is also necessary to tie the nose wheel landing gear to the ground.
It is advisable to cover cockpit canopy, if possible the whole airplane, by means of a suitable
covering material attached to the airframe for long term outside parking
