Aircraft marshaller
An aircraft marshaller is a person who stands on the airport apron and guides an aircraft by hand signals, showing the pilot where to turn, when to slow down, where to stop and when to shut the engines down.
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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
operate radio equipment
perform necessary checks before moving aircraft onto stand
operate follow-me vehicles
apply airport standards and regulations
execute necessary procedures prior to take off
About aircraft marshaller
The work follows the aircraft movement. Before a plane is brought onto a stand, the marshaller checks the area: ground equipment clear, the surface free of loose objects, the stand set for that aircraft type. As the aircraft taxis in, the marshaller takes a position where the flight crew can see them and uses standard aircraft marshalling signals to bring it along the centreline and halt it on the mark. On departure, or where a stand is hard to find, the marshaller leads the aircraft in a 'follow me' vehicle. Radio keeps the marshaller in contact with the ramp and with air traffic control, and any hazard seen on the apron is reported rather than worked around.
Airport marshallers work outdoors in all weather, as part of a ground crew, close to running engines and moving vehicles, under the safety rules of the particular airport.
Marshalling is manual traffic control, and its risks set what the job asks for: knowing the signals exactly, constant awareness of everything moving nearby, radio discipline, and following apron safety requirements without shortcuts. Requirements to become an aircraft marshaller are set by the airport operator and by aviation regulations, so both the signals and the rules for moving around the apron have to be learned and authorised locally before anyone works airside.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a aircraft marshaller.
Aircraft Guidance and Marshalling
- Use standardized aircraft marshalling signals to communicate with pilots and guide aircraft safely to designated parking stands
- Direct aircraft to runways and manage ground movements during pushback and taxiing operations
- Maintain constant visual contact with aircraft and coordinate with pilots regarding position, speed, and directional changes
- Operate follow-me vehicles equipped with directional lights and signs to lead aircraft when visual communication is limited
Radio Communication and Air Traffic Coordination
- Operate radio equipment to communicate with pilots and air traffic control personnel during aircraft movements
- Comply with air traffic control operations and follow all instructions issued by control tower personnel
- Maintain clear communication with other ground personnel, including ground handling teams and security personnel
- Communicate in air traffic services using standard phraseology and procedures to ensure safety and efficiency
Pre-Movement Safety Checks
- Perform necessary checks before moving aircraft onto stand, including verifying ground equipment placement and personnel clearance
- Execute necessary procedures prior to takeoff, including final clearance verification and aircraft positioning confirmation
- Inspect the ramp area for hazards, obstacles, or debris that could interfere with aircraft movement
- Verify that all ground support equipment is properly positioned and will not interfere with aircraft operations
Safety Hazard Identification and Management
- Identify airport safety hazards including FOD (foreign object debris), equipment failures, and personnel positioning issues
- Understand and avoid the dangers of marshalling activity, including jet blast, propeller wash, and rotating equipment
- Apply airport standards and regulations to all marshalling operations and enforce safety protocols
Aviation Teamwork and Professionalism
- Work effectively as part of an aviation team, coordinating with flight crews, ground handlers, and air traffic personnel
- Understand and comply with civil aviation regulations and international aviation standards
- Maintain ramp safety requirements and ensure all personnel understand their responsibilities during aircraft movements
- Demonstrate professional conduct and situational awareness at all times to ensure safe airport operations
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (13)
Optional (5) — show
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does an aircraft marshaller do?
Aircraft marshallers signal pilots to assist them in operations such as turning, slowing down, stopping, and shutting down engines. They lead aircrafts to their parking stands or to the runway. They also indicate directions to the pilots by driving a "follow-me" car.
What skills does an aircraft marshaller need?
An aircraft marshaller needs 13 essential skills, including aircraft marshalling signals, civil aviation regulations, operate radio equipment, perform necessary checks before moving aircraft onto stand, communicate in air traffic services.
Will AI replace aircraft marshaller jobs?
The AI disruption score for aircraft marshaller is 29/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write work-related reports, civil aviation regulations, write signalling reports. Most resilient: operate follow-me vehicles, dangers of marshalling activity, communicate in air traffic services.
AI Replacement Risk
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