What is a required action if operating with an aircraft that has ordnance attached?

When operating with an aircraft that has ordnance attached, one of the primary safety protocols is to de-arm the ordnance before movement. De-arming involves ensuring that any explosive or dangerous components are rendered safe, which minimizes the risk of accidental detonation during operation or transit. This action is crucial in maintaining safety for personnel, the aircraft, and surrounding equipment.

De-arming the ordnance essentially involves the removal of power sources, safety pins, or other measures that could lead to unintentional activation. This protocol is taken very seriously due to the potential hazards involved with handling armaments.

While notifying the maintenance crew may be important in certain contexts, it is not specifically a required action tied to the immediate safety concerns regarding the ordnance itself. Similarly, turning the aircraft with ordnance or removing all ordnance before movement may not always be practical or necessary, especially when the aircraft needs to be moved for operational reasons or if the ordnance plays a role in the current mission. Thus, the focus is rightly placed on ensuring that the ordnance is de-armed to prevent any accidental engagement during ongoing operations or movements.