In 2018 alone, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimated that passenger carrier delays cost $28billion between direct costs to airlines and passengers, indirect costs, and reduced demand. While some causes of delays may be unavoidable, such as weather, others can be mitigated or avoided entirely by improving the efficiency of airside ground crew operations. Whether than means investing in an upgraded aircraft pushback or tug tractor, or updating crew training and communication strategies, the payoff is clearly worth it.
Dependable Air Start Service Aircraft ground power units (GPUs) see a lot of use on the airside, as aircraft start service is a must for any airport or FBO. The GPUs can go through a lot of wear and tear, between daily use and varying weather conditions, so reliability is a critical factor in efficient aircraft start service. GPUs should also feature easy mobility and handling to help crews work more quickly. Investing in GPUs that are compatible with the aircraft they’re provided power to should certainly be a priority as well. Underpowered or overpowered GPUs can both create problems that result in delays and safety concerns. Reliable GSE Vehicles The state of repair, age, and features of ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles in a fleet contribute directly to the time it takes to service and prepare an aircraft. A powerful, dependable aircraft tug or baggage tractor can reduce delays, especially if they feature modern safety innovations, such as an aircraft tug that can warn operators of impending overstress damage. Even for trained, experienced ground crew personnel, the stresses and variables accompanying their work present challenges. GSE vehicles with advanced safety features, user-friendly and intuitive design, high operator visibility, and reliable construction help ground crews work efficiently and safely. Reducing human error, stress, and vehicle technical issues on the airside is vital for preventing delays. Ground Crew Telematics The global aviation industry is massive and growing. That’s good news, but it also means more aircraft, more passengers, more GSE, and more personnel to operate and maintain everything. That means a correspondingly increased risk of mistakes, mechanical issues, congestion on the apron, and other potential causes of costly delays. As such, crew managers are increasingly turning to fleet telematics to improve safety, efficiency, and organization. Advanced modern telematics systems are capable of limiting operator use of GSE to authorized personnel, enforcing seatbelt use, and imposing speed control. Safety-enhancing features like that can reduce the risk of accidents on the ramp, thereby avoiding delays. Telematics systems can also organize and track GSE, provide maintenance schedules, and offer necessary checklists. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties is known throughout the aviation industry as a reliable ground support equipment (GSE) provider with over 30 years of experience. The comprehensive catalogue of GSE products they provide is defined by innovation, leading-edge technology, and rock-solid reliability. AERO Specialties distributes GSE equipment with top-class performance, efficiency and emission reduction, safety, and reliability to their partners. Their partners include regional, private, military, and corporate aviation leaders at FBOs and airports across the world. Every member of the AERO Specialties team receives in-depth training on every piece of GSE to best assist you in selecting the right products. If your aviation business would benefit from the addition of a high-quality aircraft ground power unit, bypass pin set, LED marshalling wand, or any top-of-the-line GSE, choose AERO Specialties. Update your GSE and streamline your airside operations with AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: https://bit.ly/39kshZW
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Airside ground crew employees have extremely challenging jobs, performing critical labor that keeps an airport operating efficiently. Unfortunately, no matter how hard-working and committed any group of people is, nobody is perfect: occasional mistakes are inevitable. Mistakes on the airside can have far more serious consequences than those made by members of other professions, and so reducing the possibility of human error is a significant concern for ground crew teams.
Access to a reliable aircraft tow tractor, pushback, lavatory service cart, or any other ground support equipment (GSE) is crucial to a ground crew’s success, as reliable tools alone can reduce the risk of mistakes. Better still is GSE outfitted with safety technology innovations that automatically prevent damage or simply remove human error from the equation. Tug and Pushback Overstress Protection Overstress damage to an aircraft’s nose gear is a common and costly risk with any towing operation. Expensive overstress events can be the result of mistakes or an operator’s unfamiliarity with a tug or tow tractor. The modern aircraft tug is an incredibly powerful piece of equipment, excellent for towing unless the operator exceeds the force limitations of the aircraft’s nose gear. Consider the SiPsHitch™ Linear Force Monitoring System, an innovation from GSE provider AERO Specialties. The SiPsHitch™ is a warning system that alerts operators to approaching overstress events as well as recording the stresses involved. It allows operators to respond before any damage occurs, and the recordings enable any issues that do occur to be diagnosed accurately. Bypass Pin Sets with Remove Before Flight Flags Not all risk-mitigation GSE tech needs to be high-tech. For instance, something as modest, but effective, as a bypass pin for bypassing an aircraft’s hydraulic steering system can prevent a whole lot of headaches and expense. Neglecting to bypass the hydraulic steering system before a tow can mean significant damage to the pushback tug, to the aircraft, and even operator injury. Including a bypass pin with a red “remove before flight” flag in your GSE is a modest step with a big potential payoff. Lavatory Overfill Safeguards Sometimes it’s the less obvious GSE risks that can prove the trickiest. One example is a messy, expensive lavatory overfill. The cleanup cost and downtime caused by a lav overfill can set a business back significantly. The most common cause of lav system overfills is flow meters that are either broken or inaccurate. Bad flow meters and human error are risks that can be bypassed altogether by relying on GSE technology like the patented Safe-Lav™ system, also from AERO Specialties. Safe-Lav™ employs a dedicated direct-read batching tank that determines the maximum capacity of fluid deliverable to an aircraft and restricts delivery to that amount. That leaves the system entirely unaffected by faulty flow meters. It’s another way in which good training, excellent GSE, and the hard-working members of a ground crew are a great combination. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties is known throughout the aviation industry as a reliable ground support equipment (GSE) provider with over 30 years of experience. The comprehensive catalogue of GSE products they provide is defined by innovation, leading-edge technology, and rock-solid reliability. AERO Specialties distributes GSE equipment with top-class performance, efficiency and emission reduction, safety, and reliability to their partners. Their partners include regional, private, military, and corporate aviation leaders at FBOs and airports across the world. Every member of the AERO Specialties team receives in-depth training on every piece of GSE to best assist you in selecting the right products. If your aviation business would benefit from the addition of high-quality aircraft tugs, bypass pin sets, LED marshalling wands, or any top-of-the-line GSE, choose AERO Specialties. Update your GSE and streamline your airside operations with AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: https://bit.ly/2QL3wiU As is the case with any industry, money can be tight for ground crew operations. In many cases, it’s even tighter with high aviation industry insurance rates and the cost of maintaining fleets of sophisticated machinery. With the value of life and equipment at stake, there aren’t really any corners to cut in the name of savings. However, sometimes doing just the opposite can prove financially beneficial. Upgrading or investing in a new aircraft pushback tractor, service cart, or other ground support equipment (GSE) can not only improve productivity but can also save money.
Better GSE Requires Less Maintenance Perhaps the most obvious way that investing in new GSE or upgrading a current fleet could save an airside operation money is simply by improving functionality. New, more technologically advanced GSE from a reputable provider will typically require less maintenance and repair than older models. Improved functionality also reduces the downtime that accompanies maintenance and repairs. In the aviation business, time is money, and downtime costs a lot of it. Increased Efficiency Can Increase Savings In a win-win for a business’s pocketbook and carbon footprint, that new aircraft tug or baggage tractor is likely to be more fuel efficient than older models. Environmental regulation and improved technology have resulted in a great selection of cleaner, greener, and more efficient GSE vehicles. Doing one’s part for the environment is particularly satisfying when fuel savings from the new electric baggage/cargo tractor or hybrid aircraft ground power unit are considered. Safer GSE Helps Prevent Accident Expenditure The primary benefit of safer GSE is that the operator, other members of the crew, and airside operations, in general, are made safer by it. Overhauling a fleet is certainly an expensive investment, but the long-term cost reduction from safer operations is often worth it. For instance, safer GSE is less likely to be involved in accidents, and accidents can be extremely costly, unpredictable expenses. Industry innovations, like those developed by GSE provider AERO Specialties, can go a long way toward accident prevention, and some of the most innovative solutions can even be fitted to your existing fleet. AERO Specialties’ SiPsHitch™ Linear Force Monitoring System, for instance, monitors and records the stress being applied during aircraft pushback or tug tows, alerting operators to potential overstress events before they take place. Safer GSE Is Popular with Insurance Providers In addition to lowering the risk of injury and reducing the likelihood of costly damage, there’s another benefit to investing in safer GSE: pleasing insurance providers. Insurance companies typically take note of the extra steps businesses take to avoid accidents and reduce liability. There aren’t likely many insurers that would have no preference between a fleet of GSE vehicles that have been upgraded or replaced with newer, cleaner, safer models, and one that hasn’t. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties is a ground support equipment (GSE) supplier that combines innovative, cutting-edge technology with rock-solid reliability. They bring the industry’s latest developments in safety, emissions reduction, and reliability to partners both military and civilian, private and regional, and corporate and commercial, at airports and FBOs across the globe. Part of their success in supplying safe, user-friendly, and reliable new, used, and refurbished GSE is due to the training that every member of the AERO Specialties team receives to ensure their familiarity with the equipment. If your business would benefit from an efficient, safe aircraft ground power unit, LED marshalling wand, bypass pin set, or any other GSE, think AERO Specialties. Choose incredibly reliable GSE from an incredibly trustworthy GSE provider, AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/2uRp31M Ground crews working on the airside face unique challenges on a daily basis. They face all of the physical demands of other labor-intensive professions: they work outdoors, with heavy machinery, and in stressful conditions. Ground crews also face additional risks. The only occupation that’s roughly comparable is road construction and maintenance, except those crews only face traffic from road vehicles. Airside crews face traditional and ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles headed in every direction, in addition to taxiing and towed aircraft with all of the noise and hazards accompanying them. These unique challenges and risks make reliable GSE crucial for safety and efficiency on the airside.
Upgrade GSE to Maintain the Safety of Crews and Passengers Low-quality GSE is incredibly frustrating for its operators, and considering the importance of their jobs, it can be difficult for frustrated operators to perform at their best. Additionally, the effective operation of GSE is related directly to the well-being of the operator, other crew, passengers, and the aircraft being serviced. For the sake of optimizing safety on the airside, low-quality GSE is not an option. Upgrading your current fleet of GSE with modern safety features or investing in new aircraft tugs, service carts, and other tools is vital for ongoing airside safety. Upgrade GSE to Lower Stress and Reduce Human Error The airside is a stressful place to work. Crews must be alert and efficient at all times while handling vehicles and managing the risks of their work. Human error can cause a lot of damage, which compounds the daily stresses of the job. The detrimental consequences of a stressed-out workforce can’t be overstated. Stress can result in poor decision making, lapses in concentration, and mistakes. Mistakes made by someone operating GSE can prove catastrophic, especially if they’re performing delicate work such as towing aircraft. Provide ground crews with technology that reduces their stress. An aircraft tow tractor that’s safe, effective, reliable, and easy to use goes a long way to reducing stress. Technology assistance, such as tow stress monitors, can also significantly reduce human error. Upgrade GSE to Improve Communication, Customer Service, and Accountability Better GSE allows airsides to run more efficiently, with fewer mistakes, fewer delays, and better outcomes for both airlines and passengers. The responsibilities being handled by a ground crew carry a high financial risk. GSE being out of commission, not functioning properly, or not functioning safely can result in delays for an airline or other aviation business. Delays, for an aviation business, can mean thousands of dollars lost, or more. Not to mention the damage caused by accidents during service. Better, more reliable performance from a GSE fleet means better, more reliable customer service from a ground crew. Assisting delicate operations with technology also increases the accountability of your operation, allowing you to diagnose mistakes and proactively prevent them from happening. Finally, because GSE is such an important and complex feature of the aviation industry, finding a GSE provider that likewise effectively communicates and offers great customer service and support is a priceless commodity. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties is a ground support equipment (GSE) supplier that combines innovative, cutting-edge technology with rock-solid reliability. They bring the industry’s latest developments in safety, emissions reduction, and reliability to partners both military and civilian, private and regional, and corporate and commercial, at airports and FBOs across the globe. Part of their success in supplying safe, user-friendly, and reliable new, used, and refurbished GSE is due to the training that every member of the AERO Specialties team receives to ensure their familiarity with the equipment. If your business would benefit from an efficient, safe aircraft tug, LED marshalling wand, bypass pin set, or any other GSE, think AERO Specialties. Choose incredibly reliable GSE from an incredibly trustworthy GSE provider, AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/31Txvd4 Ask virtually any owner or manager of a small, local airport, airstrip, or FBO and they’ll tell you that their business isn’t a road to immediate riches. It’s a labor of love. However, that doesn’t mean that being the owner of a small aviation destination can’t be exciting, fulfilling, fun, and profitable. As with any small business, success means shrewd decision making. In this case, that encompasses everything from choosing the right aircraft pushback tractor to marketing your business successfully. Consider the following suggestions for a more profitable small airport or FBO.
Invest in Efficient GSE Ground support equipment (GSE) is among the most important factors in the efficient operation and continuing success of a small local airport. GSE is generally a sizable investment, making it all the more important to make good choices. It’s also a long-term investment, as a good GSE vehicle can be with an aviation business for decades. As such, one of the most important considerations when selecting GSE is energy efficiency. Efficient GSE is better for the environment but that efficiency translates into savings as well. Lower carbon emissions means less fuel being used and less fuel being wasted. Whether it’s a lavatory cart, aircraft pushback tractor, or aircraft ground power unit (GPU), look for GSE high efficiency ratings. Consider Refurbished or Rental GSE Finding an excellent, efficient aircraft tug or ground power unit (GPU) is, as mentioned, a top priority. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the GSE in question has to be brand-new. An often overlooked GSE market that can prove a great option for any local airport or FBO is the used, refurbished, and rental market. If your business exclusively services small to medium personal and corporate aircraft traffic, a fleet of brand-new heavy-duty pushback tractors is most likely not going to be necessary. Instead, look for a high-quality used or refurbished model that will do the job safely and efficiently and save money in the bargain. GSE rental is also an excellent option, particularly for airports or FBOs that need seasonal vehicles several months of the year, or for which the need for such varies from year to year. Appealing to Niche Travelers An additional strategy for making the most of your small aviation business is marketing to the right niche. The key is identifying the specific population or populations that either are already taking advantage of your location or should be and focusing marketing and advertising campaigns on that market. For instance, if your airport is located conveniently close to great fishing or hunting, target publications or groups dedicated to those activities. If you’re close to hotels or convention centers, market the advantages of your small operation to corporate travelers. Consider your proximity to activities, events, or points of interest that are perhaps less well-known or targeted by competitors. That could include local hiking or rock-climbing access, music festivals, state parks, amusement parks, skydiving or hot air ballooning destinations, anything that might draw traveler interest. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties has established a reputation as a respected and trusted supplier in the aviation industry. As aviation ground support equipment (GSE) providers, they’re trusted by civilian and military aviation crews for offering unmatched GSE for airports and FBOs, including private, regional, corporate, and commercial partners. The AERO Specialties team specializes in supplying user-friendly, reliable, and safe used and new GSE. Part of that success is due to the fact that every AERO Specialties team member is trained to be entirely familiar with all of their GSE. Whether your aviation business needs a reliable, powerful, safe, and efficient aircraft ground power unit or a variety of the best LED multipurpose marshalling wands in a selection of colors, you can trust AERO Specialties. Help your aviation business reach new heights of growth and success with AERO Specialties’ industry-leading GSE selection, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/30sMzxi The airside is one of the most dynamic, fast-moving, and dangerous work environments. Workers perform heavy labor, they work exposed to the elements, they’re often required to operate heavy machinery and specialized vehicles, and they have to contend with the risk of vehicles operating in close proximity.
Those vehicles are heading in all directions, and vary greatly in size and speed. That includes aircraft tugs and tractors hauling baggage trains, other ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles, and of course aircraft. Thousands of tons (and millions of dollars worth) of aircraft on the ramp need to be serviced, and the safety of crews and passengers is at stake. A safe airside work environment is of absolute importance. Training and More Training This may be something of a cliché to anyone who manages grounds crews and GSE, but perhaps the simplest way to improve airside crew safety is training, training, and more training. Ensure that the entire ground crew is trained on every piece of GSE they use, and that each GSE vehicle is only accessible to those certified to operate it. There can be a tendency to suggest that someone trained on the use of one pushback tractor or tug will have the skills necessary to drive any GSE vehicles. That’s never a good idea. All airside vehicles handle differently, and require specific training. Invest in Safe GSE The other element of a safe work environment is safe, updated equipment. If an aircraft tug comes with automatic safety features like proximity alarms or overstress warning alarms for towing (or is compatible with their installation), it’s a safer vehicle. Embracing safety technology features on the airside might mean replacements or upgrades, but it’s an investment that pays off. In addition to making the work safer for the operator, investing in safer GSE can proactively prevent damage to aircraft. Effective Communication Effective communication is absolutely crucial to airside safety. That includes ensuring that crew members are familiar with the necessary contacts for questions and emergencies. It means effective communication between both crews and their leadership, and those crews with other airside crews, airport personnel, air traffic control, flight crews, and everyone else who makes decisions at an airport. It also means effective communication strategies. For instance, handing out safety pamphlets to crews describing safety procedures may be less effective than recorded safety and training videos showing processes clearly, step-by-step. Pertinent communication and safety information should also be posted in clear view around the workspaces. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties has established a reputation as a respected and trusted supplier in the aviation industry. As aviation ground support equipment (GSE) providers, they’re trusted by civilian and military aviation crews for offering unmatched GSE for airports and FBOs, including private, regional, corporate, and commercial partners. The AERO Specialties team specializes in supplying user-friendly, reliable, safe used and new GSE. Part of that success is due to the fact that every AERO Specialties team member is trained to be entirely familiar with all of their GSE. Whether your aviation business needs a reliable, powerful, safe, and efficient aircraft tow tractor or a variety of the best LED multipurpose marshalling wands in a selection of colors, you can trust AERO Specialties. Make your airside safer with AERO Specialties’ selection of industry-leading GSE, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/3844opc There are good reasons to be especially cautious airside when handling diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Over the last 20 months, at least three incidents involving DEF fuel contamination have occurred. Two of which included Cessna Citation 550 twinjets carrying out air ambulance flights. Though all aircraft landed safely and there were no injuries, the occurrences speak to the importance of taking steps to mitigate or remove the risk of DEF contamination in fuel.
The cause of these near-tragedies was the introduction of DEF into the fuel supply. The threat of DEF contamination of a fuel supply is a harrowing one, but, whether it’s by cautious loading of an aircraft tug or an update to ground crew training, with some basic precautions even near-tragedies can be averted. What is DEF? DEF is a non-hazardous fluid that, to meet federal environmental regulations, is added to the exhaust systems of diesel vehicles to break polluting emissions into water and nitrogen. While it’s good for the environment, the water and urea mixture can result in the formation of crystals that can plug up fuel filters, damage aircraft engines, and result in engine failure. DEF should never be used as an additive for any fuel, diesel or aircraft, and is sprayed directly into exhaust systems. The Real-Life Risks Unfortunately, it’s not all that hard for ground crew to accidentally contaminate the fuel supply with DEF. Investigations into the recent engine failure incidents have found that the most common cause of DEF contamination is crew members confusing the DEF with the additive Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII). Both liquids are clear and colorless, they can be stored in similar-looking containers, and are often stored next to each other. Particularly when the work gets rushed, it’s easy to make mistakes. No-DEFGSE Among the most direct and effective solutions for avoiding any dangerous DEF contamination events is choosing “NO-DEF” ground support equipment (GSE), which simply removes DEF from the equation. For example, technological advances have allowed GSE manufacturers and vendors to focus on producing and providing a cleaner, lower-emission breed of aircraft tug, pushback tractor, and aircraft ground power unit (GPU), among other GSE offerings. Consider GSE provider AERO Specialties’ revolutionary AERO JetGo 99 28V Diesel-Hybrid GPU that offers the highest continuous amperage available in the class. Also, with the engine’s hybrid-efficiency, emissions are reduced sufficiently enough that DEF is unnecessary. Storage, Labeling, and Ground Crew Training In addition to NO-DEF GSE, there are basic preventive steps that can avoid confusion and contamination. A big one is simply storing DEF away from any fuel additives, particularly FSII. DEF control and recording steps include ensuring that DEF is kept behind lock and key as well as logging and recording any use or transfer of it. Labeling that is clear, legible, easy to read, and unobscured will further reduce the risk of contamination. An additional safety measure could include ordering and storing DEF in noticeably different containers than the FSII and other additives. Along with these steps, ensuring that all members of the ground crew are well-trained on DEF use and handling is crucial. About AERO Specialties Throughout the aviation community in general, and among ground support equipment (GSE) providers specifically, AERO Specialties is known as an industry leader. They’ve established a reputation among both military and civilian airsides for offering peerless GSE for FBOs or airports, whether major, corporate, private, or regional. Whatever an aviation partner needs, they can rely on the AERO Specialties team for the most reliable, effective, and user-friendly new, used, and refurbished GSE. Additionally, every member of the AERO Specialties team is trained until they’re wholly familiar with all of the GSE on offer. So whether you need a safe, powerful, reliable aircraft pushback tractor, or the best LED marshalling wands in a variety of colors, trust AERO Specialties. Lift your aviation business to greater heights of success and growth with GSE from AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/2EyC8hD In most places, winter is going to bring disruptions and difficulties of one kind or another to an airport. In warmer climates, that can mean the increased risk of cloudbursts, electrical storms, and obscuring fog. For the colder regions, however, winter delivers an entire suite of challenges that can make everyone’s work all the more difficult. This is especially true with airside ground crews. They are dealing with all of the visibility and mobility issues of flight crews and air traffic control, on top of which they are moving baggage, piloting service carts, and driving aircraft tugs out in the elements all day. This makes planning, preparing, and stocking up for the winter particularly critical for smooth service airside.
Winterizing Your GSE and Preparing Your Ground Crew Winterizing the airside ground support equipment (GSE) and ground crew requires more than outfitting the aircraft tug and baggage tractor with snow tires. It requires preparing the GSE and crew for the reality of work in the winter. That starts with examining the GSE that’s been set aside since the year before to be sure it’s in working order. The mechanics should check deicing vehicles, sprayers, platforms, and anything else necessary for winter use to ensure safety and functionality. It’s also a good time to consider purchasing or renting more GSE to add to your airside. Additionally, since winter conditions can increase the risk of accidents and emergencies, make a point of establishing, emphasizing, and testing communication networks. That includes communication between crews: between flight crews and ground crews, between airside ground crews and airport management, and so on. Finally, train and prepare crew members on the realities of winter crew work, including emergency and protocols and communication best practices. The Appropriate Deicing GSE Once the deicing GSE has been inspected, topped off, cleaned up, updated, and repaired if necessary, determine whether it will prove sufficient to meet the crew’s needs in the winter. Beyond guaranteeing that the towable, heated deicer tank and deicing truck are good to go, consider if the appropriate gear is available. Sometimes crew members find that a portable four-gallon backpack-style anti-ice/deice sprayer unit is a far more convenient, hassle-reducing solution for servicing smaller planes than hooking up the deicer tank and maneuvering it over. However, that convenient backpack sprayer isn’t going to be of much use if it’s only rated for type I deicing fluid and there’s only type IV on hand. Fortunately, unlike typical backpack sprayers, trusted GSE provider AERO Specialties sells a portable deicer, the 4-Gallon Backpack Deicing Sprayer, for type IV fluid that works great for small planes. Additional Deicing GSE That being said, an essential piece of deicing GSE every crew needs on hand—besides the vehicles, sprayers, and platforms—is deicing fluid. At the very least, it makes sense to have both type I and type IV fluid available for different applications. Additionally important GSE is a selection of headsets and intercom systems. When a crew member is required to be out in particularly bitter winter weather spraying an aircraft down with deicing fluid, having a high-quality, working intercom in a weather-tight dual-ear headset can prove incredibly valuable. About AERO Specialties Throughout the aviation community in general, and among ground support equipment (GSE) providers specifically, AERO Specialties is known as an industry leader. They’ve established a reputation among both military and civilian airsides for offering peerless GSE for FBOs or airports, whether major, corporate, private, or regional. Whatever an aviation partner needs, they can rely on the AERO Specialties team for the most reliable, effective, and user-friendly new, used, and refurbished GSE. Additionally, every member of the AERO Specialties team is trained until they’re wholly familiar with all of the GSE on offer. So whether you need a safe, powerful, reliable aircraft tow tractor, or the best LED marshalling wands in a variety of colors, trust AERO Specialties. Lift your aviation business to greater heights of success and growth with GSE from AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/2M3jeDN New risk reduction strategies and safety measures are often met with some trepidation. They can be considered an inconvenient disruption cluttering up the works. Industry changes, new statutes, regulations, and technological updates, however, mean that those changes are inevitable. When done right, risk reduction and safety updates, from upgrades to your aircraft tug fleet to more efficient crew conduct, can mean improved performance and therefore lower costs. There’s no reason to dread safety updates if an operation is properly prepared to roll them out.
GSE Organization Improves Everything One of the most important areas in which an airside ground crew can improve safety and lower cost, significantly when done right, is by organizing the scheduling and use of ground support equipment (GSE). An increasingly popular method for doing so is by linking, tracking, and scheduling GSE vehicles with modern telematics systems. An accompanying strategy, often used in conjunction with telematics, is implementing a GSE pooling program. Alone and in combination, telematics and pooling are yielding risk reduction and performance results at airports all around the world. Some advantages include more efficient fuel use, less vehicle running time, lower risk of damage to aircraft, less vehicle congestion on the apron, and more accurate maintenance schedules. When implemented correctly, these strategies can help reduce costs and the risk of accidents. Updated GSE Technology Lowers Risk Organization is one facet of safety and risk management, but the technology in the tools and vehicles themselves also needs to be updated. For instance, there are safety systems that, when installed on an aircraft pushback or tug fleet, can improve operational safety considerably. For example, the SiPsHitch™ Linear Force Monitoring System from AERO Specialties is a safety system that monitors and records force applied while towing and warns operators of overstress damage before it occurs. Additionally, the TLD Aircraft Safe Docking system prevents GSE from approaching aircraft too quickly, automatically preventing collision damage. Along with the considerable savings resulting from avoiding expensive collisions, installing these safety systems improves the working environment for ground crews. Safe Crew Should Always Be a Priority There’s an additional, far more serious risk accompanying collisions and other GSE accidents and incidents—that ground crew, airline personnel, or passengers are injured. The risk of injury alone is sufficient to implement all possible safety measures, and it’s usually the reason for mandatory upgrades. Further exacerbating that worse-case scenario is the considerable cost accompanying any injury. Possible expenses include lost labor, workers’ compensation, insurance premiums, and potential litigation. It’s a combination that’s more than sufficient to justify emphasizing ground crew safety measures. Those measures include basic steps that can be overlooked or allowed to lapse, like neglecting to insist on appropriate training or allowing crew to operate GSE they’re not licensed or certified to operate. Training should also include familiarizing ground crew with any new safety systems, emergency protocols, and lines of communication. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties is an industry-leading aviation ground support equipment (GSE) provider offering GSE that’s well-known for optimized performance, safety, and reliability. Their customers, both civilian and military, at corporate airports, FBOs, or private airports, rely on AERO Specialties for the highest quality GSE, new, used, and refurbished. As an additional assurance of excellence, AERO Specialties trains each one of the members of their team, familiarizing them thoroughly with every piece of GSE they offer. That means whatever GSE you need, from a powerful, safe aircraft ground power unit, to a set of multicolored LED marshalling wands, you can trust AERO Specialties. Take your aviation business to greater heights with GSE from AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/32J954D Any airport’s apron is necessarily a busy place. In addition to the massive aircraft arriving and departing, there are entire fleets of ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles zipping around to service them. Refueling vehicles, aircraft tugs, tractors pulling a string of baggage carts, deicers in winter, all of the lav and food service carts, plus ground crew on foot, are all active on the apron. Not to mention that on any given day there are many millions of dollars represented on the apron, not just in aircraft on the ground, but in money lost to delays.
Ground crews face high expectations in a busy workspace to work quickly, safely, and to high standards. When there’s that much going on, with strict schedules to keep and so many moving parts, a lapse in oversight, management, or preparation can result in costly delays. It can also have more dire consequences by increasing the risk of accidents significantly. As such, avoiding GSE congestion should always be a priority. Implement Fleet Tracking Software The implementation of fleet management programs and software has proven to be a major benefit throughout the aviation community. Monitoring a fleet with technology such as a telematics program allows the tracking of every aircraft tug and cargo loader. That allows crew managers to more effectively manage and optimize the use of all the GSE in their fleet. Some of those telematics programs can even measure and record impact and collision data for a quick response. Use Maintenance Tracking Technology An additional benefit provided by many fleet management systems is that they greatly assist with the accuracy of GSE maintenance schedules. If that’s not a feature of telematics or another management system already in place, any GSE fleet manager should set up a dedicated strategy for maintenance scheduling and alerts. Software that tracks maintenance scheduling and alerts teams to potential faults or needed replacements can save a whole lot of money by mitigating GSE mechanical issues before they become problems. Functioning GSE is also far less likely to contribute to congestion! Update Operator Training and Access Programs The appropriate and consistently updated training of operators is one of those features of airside crew operation that’s often emphasized but can’t be overstated. There’s arguably nothing more crucial to the smooth operation of a ground crew than thorough and up-to-date training. In addition, institute an access program—only allowing those with the appropriate training and certification access to their specific GSE. That reduces the risk of crew taking out GSE they’re not trained on for convenience or because it’s similar to what they operate. Prioritize Communication and Collaboration, Such as GSE Pooling In addition to telematics, fleet management, and training and access protocols, GSE pooling has become incredibly popular throughout the aviation industry. It improves efficiency, reduces the presence of unnecessary GSE on the apron, saves fuel, and saves money. A less often cited but nevertheless beneficial element is that it improves communication between ground crews. That centralization of GSE and improved communication between the crews also contributes to improved communication with airport management. All of which means smoother airside operation and less risk of congestion on the apron. About AERO Specialties AERO Specialties is an industry-leading aviation ground support equipment (GSE) provider offering GSE that’s well-known for optimized performance, safety, and reliability. Their customers, both civilian and military, at corporate airports, FBOs, or private airports, rely on AERO Specialties for the highest quality GSE, new, used, and refurbished. As an additional assurance of excellence, AERO Specialties trains each one of the members of their team, familiarizing them thoroughly with every piece of GSE they offer. That means whatever GSE you need, from a powerful, safe aircraft tow tractor, to a set of multicolored LED marshalling wands, you can trust AERO Specialties. Take your aviation business to greater heights with GSE from AERO Specialties, at Aerospecialties.com Original Source: http://bit.ly/32uvdQe |
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