Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: RFFS (Rescue and Fire Fighting Services) • Ground Power Unit • TSAT (Target Start-up Approval Time)

Turnaround

Term from Airport Operations industry explained for recruiters

A turnaround in airport operations refers to the process of preparing an aircraft for its next flight after it lands. This includes everything from cleaning and refueling to baggage handling and passenger boarding. Think of it like resetting and preparing a plane between flights. The time between when a plane arrives at the gate and when it departs is called the 'turnaround time.' Airport staff work to make this process as quick and efficient as possible while maintaining safety standards. Similar terms used in the industry include "aircraft servicing," "ground handling," or "aircraft preparation."

Examples in Resumes

Managed Turnaround operations for 20+ daily flights, reducing average completion time by 15%

Supervised ground crew during Aircraft Turnaround processes at major international terminal

Coordinated Flight Turnaround activities between various departments, maintaining 90% on-time performance

Typical job title: "Turnaround Coordinators"

Also try searching for:

Ground Operations Coordinator Ramp Operations Manager Aircraft Services Supervisor Turnaround Manager Ground Handling Supervisor Station Operations Coordinator

Where to Find Turnaround Coordinators

Professional Associations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle multiple delayed turnarounds during peak hours?

Expected Answer: A senior coordinator should discuss prioritization strategies, resource allocation, communication with multiple stakeholders, and contingency planning while maintaining safety standards.

Q: What strategies have you implemented to improve turnaround efficiency?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in process optimization, team coordination, implementing new procedures, and measuring performance improvements while considering both speed and safety.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key components of a successful aircraft turnaround?

Expected Answer: Should mention coordination of fueling, cleaning, catering, baggage handling, and boarding processes, plus timing and safety considerations for each component.

Q: How do you ensure communication between different ground handling teams?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for coordinating between various departments, use of communication systems, and problem-solving approaches when issues arise.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a turnaround time and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should explain that it's the time between arrival and departure, and its importance for airline schedules, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Q: What safety considerations are important during aircraft turnaround?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic knowledge of airport safety procedures, awareness of hazards around aircraft, and importance of following standard operating procedures.