The Importance of Airport Ground Support Equipment |
Posted: May 10, 2018 |
Airport ground support equipment can be a vast topic. There are several types of ground support equipment, also called GSE, that are necessary to run an airport on a daily basis. This type of stuff is ground-based during the airport turnaround process. Various types of ground support equipment include cargo access stands; crew entry stands, landing gear access, refueling equipment, mechanic access platforms and more. There are several tasks performed with aircraft ground support equipment. Aircraft maintenance and cleaning include engine and fuselage repairs, draining waste-water, and removal of garbage. GSE is also crucial when it comes to maneuvering aircraft around the airport. They assist in moving the plane out of the gate and to the maintenance areas around the airport. Ground support equipment also assists in aircraft refuel, which is a crucial part of running an airport and various aircraft. These tasks include fuel transfer from the fuel trucks to the aircraft, or other fuel hydrant systems. Airfield maintenance provides equipment such as mowers for tending to the grass around the airport and pesticide applicators as well as paint stripers for the runway. In the winter, ground support equipment includes snow scoops, de-icing machines and materials, plows, and other necessary equipment. Emergency response equipment is also a crucial aspect of GSE. It includes all equipment necessary for aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles (also known as ARFF), police cars and ambulances ready to respond to an emergency at any airport. GSE includes restocking of provisions. It includes food and beverages for the airport and the aircraft as well as potable water and lavatory chemicals. Ground support equipment includes moving payloads, which provides for loading, unloading, and transportation of passengers and baggage. However, not every piece of equipment on the runway or apron is a piece of ground support equipment. Other material may include construction vehicles such as dozers or loaders, staff fleet vehicles, private motor vehicles, public buses or hotel vans. Airports are always busy epicenters of passengers, aircraft, and plenty of cargo. The ground support equipment and staff that work at airports each day are highly trained and understand how to use the equipment necessary for the job safely. They can watch over the emissions from each piece of equipment and how to use alternatively fueled vehicles. When you travel, you can be confident that the fact that airport staff is adequately skilled to get you where you need to go safely.
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