What is the purpose of a pre-tow briefing?

• A. To assign roles, confirm path, communication methods, safety measures, and contingency plans.
• B. To troubleshoot the tow vehicle only.
• C. To check aircraft wing alignment.
• D. To calculate fuel consumption.

Answer: (A)

Before moving the aircraft, the team gathers to set everyone up for a safe tow. The purpose of this briefing is to assign roles (who steers, who brakes, who guides, who inspects), confirm the planned path and taxi route, agree on how we’ll communicate (including radios and hand signals), and lay out safety measures and contingency plans. This ensures every person knows their responsibilities, the route, the signals to use, and what to do if something goes wrong. With the team aligned, potential risks are identified and mitigated, which is crucial given the C-17’s size and the complexity of ground handling.

The other options don’t fit this purpose because troubleshooting the tow vehicle, checking wing alignment, or calculating fuel are separate tasks or checks, not the coordinated planning session that ensures safe, coordinated motion.