When towing a maintenance stand on an airfield, slow down to 10 mph.

On an airfield, everything moves with a purpose—and speed isn’t just a number, it’s a safety tool. When you’re behind the wheel, especially if you’re towing gear like a maintenance stand, the pace you set matters more than you might think. The rule you’ll hear most often is to slow to 10 MPH. Let me explain why that specific speed isn’t arbitrary and how it keeps people and aircraft out of harm’s way.

Why 10 MPH matters

Maintenance stands are big, and they don’t behave like a tiny trailer you’d tow down a quiet street. They can catch crosswinds, sway oddly on a turn, and swing unpredictably if you’re not careful. On an airfield, even a small miscalculation can create a ripple effect: a towed load veers into the line of sight of a taxiing aircraft, or a ground crew member steps into a blind spot while a pilot is threading a path between runways.

The speed limit isn’t about policing. It’s about control and reaction time. At 10 MPH, you have more time to notice a moving obstacle, hear a radio call from the control tower, or spot a ground guide signaling you to adjust. You also reduce the force of any sudden stop or evasive maneuver, which protects both the towed equipment and nearby aircraft, vehicles, and personnel. Think of it as giving your brain and your tires a cushion, so to speak, when the airfield suddenly throws a curveball your way.

Safety is a team sport on the tarmac

Airfield driving is a team effort. Controllers, ground guides, and the vehicle operator all share the same objective: move people and gear without interrupting flight operations. When you’re towing a maintenance stand, the line of sight from the cab to the towed load matters. In open space, 10 MPH feels slow, almost deliberate—but that deliberate pace helps you read the surface, gauge the stand’s sway, and respond calmly to any unusual movement.

Ground crews may use hand signals, wands, or portable radios to guide you around corners, past parked aircraft, or through a work zone. Your ability to stay within that 10 MPH band doesn’t just protect you; it protects everyone working nearby. And if a pilot’s taxi route changes suddenly, your slow speed gives you the chance to stop cleanly and reassess without creating a dangerous flare of abrupt motion.

What makes a maintenance stand such a challenge?

First, size and weight. A maintenance stand isn’t a compact load. It has height, width, and a lower center of gravity that doesn’t always behave the way a typical trailer does. Wind gusts on an open ramp or near a parked jet can catch the stand and push it sideways. Even a small nudge on a slippery surface can steer the load in a direction you didn’t intend.

Second, visibility. The stand may block your view of the immediate roadway behind or to the sides. Your mirrors help, but they aren’t a substitute for a clear line of sight and a trained spotter. The presence of aircraft moving in close proximity means you’re operating in a zone where anything can change in a heartbeat. Slower speeds help you maintain better situational awareness and keep your options open.

Third, coordination. The airfield runs on precise timing and careful choreography. You’re not just driving; you’re obeying a rhythm that includes the control tower, ramp security, and ground crews. When you keep to the 10 MPH rule, you’re more predictable, easier to coordinate with, and less likely to surprise someone who’s expecting a smooth, orderly flow of traffic.

Practical tips for towing safely on the airfield

• Plan your route before you move. Check your map, radio frequencies, and any temporary work zones. If you know there’s a tight turn or a narrow gate ahead, factor that into your approach at a steady 10 MPH.

• Inspect your equipment. Before you go, verify hitch connections, wheel chocks, and the integrity of the towed stand. A small loose part can turn into a big problem when the vehicle is in motion.

• Stay in touch. Keep your radio on and listen for instructions. Ground guides and controllers may provide critical cues about where you can and can’t go, or when to pause for a moment.

• Use the footprint you’ve got. Slow down around corners and intersections so you can gauge the stand’s swing and avoid crossing into a roadway path or taxiway line.

• Keep a safe clearance. Give aircraft and personnel plenty of room. If you’re approaching a crossing or an intersection, reduce speed even further if needed and proceed with caution.

• Watch the surface. Runways, taxiways, and ramps can be slick from rain, dust, or oils. A cautious 10 MPH helps you react to changes in traction and steering more smoothly.

• Don’t rely on a single check. Do a quick scan of the area, then a second, then a third. Human perception can blur when you’re focused on the mechanics of moving equipment; a moment of scanning helps you catch something you might have missed.

• Keep the load stable. If the stand starts to sway, straighten your course gently and apply minimal corrective steering. Sudden jerks can amplify the wobble and put you off-balance.

• Carve out a habit of slowing early. If you need to stop, do it gradually. Abrupt braking—especially with a towed load—can cause the stand to buckle and the tow line to snap.

• Practice with purpose. While you’re training or familiarizing yourself with the route, run through a few controlled maneuvers at a low pace to build a mental map of how the towed configuration behaves.

Tiny choices, big safety payoffs

You’ll notice a common thread in airfield operations: the smallest decisions—how you steer, when you brake, how you communicate—add up to big safety dividends. That 10 MPH figure isn’t a ceiling meant to slow you down for the sake of it; it’s a practical, experience-tested speed that aligns with what your eyes, brain, and feet can handle in a dynamic environment.

Let me explain it with a quick analogy. Driving a maintenance stand on an airfield is a bit like navigating a ship through a crowded marina. You’re steering a substantial object, you can’t react instantly to every ripple of water, and the people around you depend on your calm, steady motions. In that sense, speed becomes a tool for judgment as much as it is a measure of motion.

A few everyday reminders to keep in mind

• Read the weather as part of your day. Wind, visibility, and precipitation all influence how a stand behaves on a move. When the gusts pick up, that’s a cue to slow down and reassess your path.

• Keep your crew in the loop. Clear, concise communication makes it easier for everyone to stay safe. If a guide signals you to take a different route, adjust with a measured hand and a steady pace.

• Respect the rhythm of the airfield. Runways are busy; maintenance zones aren’t quiet corners of a lot. The flow of aircraft and ground traffic means you’re always adjusting to the bigger picture.

• Treat every move as a rehearsal for performance. The way you handle the stand today becomes the standard for tomorrow. Consistency builds trust and reduces the chance of errors.

A quick checklist you can carry in your head (or on a card in the cab)

• Is the load securely hitched and chocked?

• Are ground guides visible and in position?

• Is the path clear of pedestrians and other vehicles?

• Are you communicating with the tower and ground control?

• Is the speed at or below 10 MPH, with extra caution at turns or in congested zones?

• Have you scanned for slick spots on the surface?

• Are you prepared to stop smoothly if something unexpected happens?

Making sense of the big picture

The airfield is a place where precision signing, careful timing, and steady hands matter more than bravado. When you’re towing a maintenance stand, speed is your ally. The rule to slow to 10 MPH isn’t a hard limit so much as a safety discipline that reflects the realities of working around aircraft and ground crews. It’s a simple guideline that, when followed, keeps people safe, keeps equipment intact, and keeps the entire operation moving smoothly.

If you ever wondered how professionals manage to keep things moving with such composure, the answer often comes back to this: discipline in small things. A measured pace, clear communication, and a habit of checking and rechecking details—these are the quiet gears that grease the whole machine. And when you bring them to life in the right moment, you’re not just following a rule; you’re contributing to a safer airfield every day.

A few closing thoughts

Yes, it can feel slow in the moment. Yes, you might miss the occasional sense of speed you’re used to on the road. But there’s a confidence that comes from knowing you’re operating with the best information available, in a space where every decision matters. The 10 MPH guideline is about creating that confidence—about giving you the room you need to respond, adjust, and make the right call under pressure.

In the end, safety on the airfield isn’t a single rule or a single action. It’s a pattern of careful, deliberate choices. When you’re towing a maintenance stand, that pattern starts with respecting the speed limit and ends with the trust you build with your team and the operations around you. It’s a small commitment with a big payoff—one that you can feel in the quiet moments of a shift when everything simply lines up and goes smoothly.

If you’re curious about the practical side of other towing scenarios or want a few more real-world examples, consider how different loads behave on a windy day, or how a ground guide communicates a last-minute change. The more you observe and practice, the more instinctive this kind of safe driving becomes.

So next time you’re behind the wheel with a maintenance stand in tow, remember: 10 MPH isn’t just a rule—it’s a safe, smart way to keep the airfield moving, the crews feeling secure, and the pilots on their prepared paths. Stay calm, stay tuned, and give each maneuver the attention it deserves. The results aren’t flashy, but they’re exactly what keeps everyone safe when every takeoff and landing is in play.