Who is responsible for directing the movement of an aircraft?

The person responsible for directing the movement of an aircraft is the plane captain director. This role is crucial as they coordinate and manage the ground handling of the aircraft, ensuring safe and efficient movement on the ramp or flight deck. The plane captain director is trained to communicate effectively with the flight crew and ground personnel, using standardized hand signals or visual aids to direct the aircraft's movements, such as taxiing and positioning on the deck.

In contrast, while the tow tractor driver operates the vehicle used to move the aircraft, they rely on the plane captain director for guidance on where to move the aircraft. The safety observer plays a vital role in monitoring safety conditions during aircraft movement, ensuring that the area is clear of hazards, but does not actively direct the aircraft. The wing walker assists in ensuring that the path is clear during taxiing and provides additional visual signals but is also not the one directing the overall movement of the aircraft. The plane captain director's comprehensive knowledge and training equip them to effectively manage these critical ground operations.