A Guide to Ground Support Equipment
Ground support equipment forms an integral
part for any aviation setting around the world. Many people are drawn to the
technological prowess that comes with compelling aircraft, but without
effective equipment on the ground, these models lose a large proportion of
their functionality.
Here at GSE Solutions, we have provided
the aviation industry with a wide range of ground support equipment for over
25-years. In that time, we have gained an unparalleled amount of knowledge and
expertise that will be shared throughout this guide.
A brief
history
Ground support equipment dates back to the
early 18th century, but it wasn’t until the height of World War II
that the industry started to take flight. This period oversaw increasing
demands from Allied militaries, especially the US Army, which increased its aircraft
fleet from 3,600 to 300,000 in just six years.
This created the first marketing
opportunity for companies to get their designs into circulation. Among the
many beneficiaries were Stewart & Stevenson, who supplied ordnance loaders
to the US military, and FMC (Food Machinery Corp.) who designed and constructed
landing craft.
The next watershed moment wasn’t until
1969, when Eagle Tugs
introduced the world to the Bob Tail Tow Tractor.
This design is still the best and only choice for sturdy and effective towing
in the present day.
What is
Ground Support Equipment?
The ground support equipment is needed to maneuver equipment found in the servicing area of aviation environments. They
are the tools in which trailers can be towed, luggage can be transported and
planes can be re-fueled.
For more information about any ground
support equipment, check out the GSE Solutions Official Website.
Here are the most common pieces of the Ground Support Equipment
Tow Tractors
Both military and domestic applications
will require a strong and reliable tractor for effective maneuvering. There is
a multitude of both large-scale and low-profile designs to adhere to a
selection of aviation tasks.
The most significant model is the Bob Tail
Tow Tractor. This design uses an ergonomic Ford Super Duty F-350 chassis and
runs on a Ford V-8 engine to ensure equipment as heavy as 95,000 lbs can be
towed with ease.
Ground Power Units
These models can power and start-up
aircraft from the ground. They are more commonly referred to as GPU’s and run
on either electric power, battery power or a combination of both. There are
certain models that can produce up to 5200 amps, using a voltage of 30.3V
DC.
Passenger Access
This is an especially vital component for commercial airlines since they provide a safe method of entering and exiting
aircraft. Some of the more prominent designs can reach heights of up to 161”
and use standing platforms with a weight capacity of around 1,000 lbs.
Baggage & Cargo Carts
This enables people’s luggage to be transported around airports both safely and methodically. Closed baggage carts are the most recognizable design, with certain models able to carry up to 8000 lbs of luggage.
State of play
According to PR Newswire,
the aviation industry will reach £18.2 billion by 2022. This has largely been
attributed to the increasing demands for both electric and hybrid designs.
As of July 2017, the breakdown of the
primary participants in ground support equipment were as follows:
Asia-Pacific
– 46%
North
America – 27%
Europe
– 18%
Rest
of the world – 9%
This article was written by David Newman.
David is the Director of UK
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