How far should personnel remain from the aircraft engines when they are running?

The appropriate distance personnel should maintain from running aircraft engines is at least 10 feet. This distance is crucial for safety due to the high risk of engine exhaust, which can produce significant thrust and possibly cause injuries or accidents. Staying 10 feet away minimizes exposure to potential debris that engines can emit, as well as reducing the risk of hearing damage from the loud noise levels associated with operating engines. It also creates a buffer to ensure that personnel are not in the path of any potential hazards associated with engine operation, such as accidental ingestion of objects into the engine or sudden unexpected movements of the aircraft. Maintaining this distance is a critical safety protocol enforced in ramp operations to protect ground personnel.