During backing, hangaring, and tight turns, the use of which person or device is required?

• A. Wing walker
• B. Spotter
• C. Ground guide
• D. Tail walker

Answer: (D)

The key idea is to ensure tail clearance in confined maneuvers. When a C-17 is backing, hangaring, or making tight turns, the tail can swing into doors, walls, or other obstacles that the Tow Operator cannot see directly. A tail walker stands behind the aircraft at the tail so they have a clear view of the tail path and can communicate when to stop, slow, or adjust direction. This role directly protects the tail and surrounding structures and personnel, which is why it’s required for these maneuvers. Wing walkers handle wing clearance, and a general ground guide directs the forward path, but they don’t specifically cover tail clearance in these scenarios.