What Is Airport Ground Support Equipment?
Airport Ground Support equipment is an industry term that refers to support equipment typically found at an airport that is used to service the aircraft between flights. Airport Ground Support Equipment is generally kept on a ramp near the terminal when not in use for quick accessibility.
Airport GSE’s main purpose is to support the safe operations of the
aircraft after landing and before taking off again. It is usually involves a variety of aircraft mobility, ground power operations, and
cargo and passenger loading operations.
Airport Ground Support Equipment Types
There are two types of airport GSE :
1- Ground Support Equipment (Non-Powered)
Aircraft Tripod Jacks
Aircraft jacks are used to support an
aircraft while on the ground. Because the aircraft can become tail heavy when
passengers deplane, it can be supported by an aircraft tripod jack, although
not all planes need this.
Chocks
Aircraft chocks are used to prevent an
aircraft from moving while parked, and are essentially wood or rubber molds
that are placed in front and back of the wheels of landing gear.
Dollies
A dolly (dollies) is a platform on wheels
used to hold and transport heavy, unmanageable objects.
A- Dollies for Loose Baggage
Loose baggage dollies can be used to
transport a variety of loose baggage, including mail bags, cargo carton boxes,
etc. These types of dollies feature a brake system to prevent the wheels from
moving when not desired. Commonly, loose baggage dollies are completely
enclosed to protect the items from the elements.
B- Dollies for unit load device (ULD)
The main difference between ULD Dollies and Dollies for Loose Baggage is
that ULD Dollies are standardized to a specific size and operate much more like
a mobile pallet. These units are designed to be lightweight and supportive and
often fly along with the cargo they help transport to the aircraft. ULD Dollies
rest on ball bearings and are equipped with hinges and locks to secure the load
during tugging.
2- Ground Support Equipment (Powered)
Air Start Unit
Air start units are devices used to start
an airplane’s engines in the event that APU is malfunctioning.
Buses
Buses are used to transport people from the
terminal to other terminals or aircraft..
Belt Loaders
A belt loader is a type of vehicle with a
conveyor belt design for easy unloading and loading of cargo and baggage onto
an airplane.
Container Loader
Commonly referred to as “K loaders”
container loaders are used to unload and load pallets on and off of an aircraft.
Catering Vehicle
Catering vehicles are used to facilitate
the unloading and reloading of food and beverages for passengers and crew.
De-Icing Vehicles
De-icing vehicles for aircraft are often
needed to prevent frozen water and cold temperatures from affecting the
aircraft.
Ground Power Units
Ground power units are mobile power units
designed to supply power to parked aircraft.
Lavatory Service Vehicles
Lavatory service vehicles are used to
quickly empty and refill aircraft lavatories.
Potable Water Trucks
These specialized vehicles store filtered,
potable water to be delivered to aircraft as needed.
Passenger Boarding, Steps, Stairs
Passenger boarding steps (also known as
passenger boarding stairs, boarding ramps, stair car, or aircraft steps) is a
mobile staircase designed to allow passengers and crew access to the aircraft
doors.
Pushback Tugs
Pushback tugs are a specialized type of
towing vehicle designed to push aircraft away from the gate.
Refuelers
Aircraft refuelers can be either
self-contained vehicles or mobile carts. Since aircraft fuel needs are so
massive, refueler trucks often carry up to 10,000 gallons of fuel. Smaller
carts are used with a hydrant system which connects to a refueler truck and can
simplify refueling logistics for airports by providing more refueling options
from one truck.
Tugs And Tractors
Tugs and tractors are responsible for
moving equipment that is too large to move itself, including air starters,
lavatory carts, bag carts, and more.
Transporters
It is used for loading and unloading of
cargo and transportation of cargo as well.
Airport Ground Support Equipment Pre-operation Check
1- Pre-operation Safety Check
(Powered GSE)
a) Conduct
visual checks for damage, cracks or abnormal wear;
b) Brakes are
operational;
c) Illumination
& indication lights are functional;
d) Warning
systems are functional;
e) Steering is
functional;
f) No fluid
and/or oil leaks;
g) No bald
tyres;
h)
Rubber bumpers are in good condition.
2- Pre-operation Safety Check (non-Powered GSE)
a) Conduct
visual checks for damage, cracks or abnormal wear;
b) Stabilizers
and braking mechanisms are functional;
c)
No bald tyres.
Note: Not applicable to refuellers.
3- Pre-operation Safety Check (Refuellers only)
a)
Conduct visual checks for damage, cracks or abnormal wear;
b)
Brakes are operational;
c)
Illumination & indication lights are functional;
d)
No fluid and/or oil leaks;
e) No bald tyres.
Conclusion
Prior to movement of ground support equipment,
a walk around check must be made. Only adequately trained, qualified and authorized
GSE operators should be permitted to operate equipment. Furthermore, ground support
Equipment should only be used for its intended purposes.
