Aviation stands are versatile structures that allow employees access to various parts of an aircraft while conducting inspections and services and repairs, especially in hard-to-reach locations. These stands allow personnel to remain safely off the ground without straining themselves or wasting time going back and forth between different parts of the plane. Some aviation stands have built-in ladders for easy access to the top of an aircraft, while others have a pneumatic lift system for easy transportation. They also feature adjustable arms, handrails, and lighting systems, making it easier for users to see the surroundings while they work. These are painted to match the aircraft’s exterior color for safety and aesthetic purposes. Often, stands are equipped with wheels for easy transportation around any given aircraft hangar.
Aircraft stands are typically fabricated from high-strength aluminum, with rust-resistant and noncorroding coatings. These aviation support stands vary in weight capacity depending on the application and portability. They also vary in dimension depending on their intended purpose.
Accident Potential: Low
Storage Requirements: None
Frequency of Use: Medium/High
For any professional mechanic, having the appropriate equipment is critical. Because aircraft are so unique in construction and the height at which mechanics must operate, a problem with servicing them has always been their unusual design and working height. Therefore, a maintenance stand built for safety and fits an aircraft is important and helps improve aviation operations in three ways:
Depending on the construction and functionality, aircraft maintenance stands are commonly classified into four types:
These stands are often a popular choice for small projects since they’re simple to operate and move around. The adjustable versions are adaptable to a wide range of planes, making them useful for indoor and outdoor operations. Avionic technicians use indoor and outdoor services, and some can be integrated into more sophisticated maintenance stands as modular parts.
A maintenance platform with a large wrap-around design takes longer to set up and is not as versatile as the smaller daily or adjustable stand. Wrap-around stands are occasionally made especially for one type of aircraft, necessitating a more complicated assembly before usage.
Adjustable maintenance platforms for transporting one technician include winch lifts, boom lifts, and scissor lifts. The height and weight support standards and the maintenance demands may influence which type is best for you.
The selection of ground support equipment is determined by the maintenance hangar and facilities available. The following factors should be considered while selecting a suitable maintenance stand:
A preventive maintenance plan should include regular inspections to determine if there are any loose nuts or bolts, worn components, corrosion on platforms, signs of physical damage, working parts that need lubrication, damaged electrical cords and hoses and ensures that the platform is safe for operation. OEMs recommend following components on a maintenance stand should follow PM schedules. The inspection schedule frequency is shown below:
A: Perform Visual and Daily Maintenance Inspections & Functions Test
B: Perform scheduled Maintenance Inspection every three months based on regular
C: Perform scheduled Maintenance Inspection every year
Sr. No | COMPONENT | INSPECTION FREQUENCY |
1 | Labels | A + B + C |
2 | Wheel Brakes | A + B + C |
3 | Caster Swivel Locks | A + B + C |
4 | Foot Pump | A + B + C |
5 | Cylinder | A + B + C |
6 | Oil Level | A + B + C |
7 | Leveling Jacks | A + B + C |
8 | Ladder Structure | A + B + C |
9 | Base Frame Structure | A + B + C |
10 | Hand Rails | A + B + C |
11 | Bumpers | A + B + C |
12 | Directional Control Valve | A + B + C |
13 | Hardware | A + B + C |
14 | Folding Hand Rails | A + B + C |
15 | Function Test | A + B + C |
16 | Platform | A + B + C |
Maintenance aircraft stands/platforms are a type of aviation equipment designed to help workers complete aircraft inspections and to work at heights that would otherwise be impractical or even impossible. Therefore investing in preventive maintenance of your GSE can prevent you from schedule breakdowns, ensures high aircraft up-time, and extend the life of the equipment. Ground personnel must thoroughly study the operation and service manuals supplied by the equipment manufacturers and maintain a maintenance log, which must be completed at each servicing interval, detailing all work on the system.
e2b calibration offers industry-leading consultancy and certified PM services for your aircraft maintenance stands. At e2b Calibration, we maintain and troubleshoot your stands so that you can concentrate on maintaining your aircraft. Our labs are ISO/IEC accredited and operated by a team of qualified experts providing training and consultancy services on GSE Maintenance and inspection. Our verifiable services are unmatched in the industry. Contact e2b calibration for all your equipment calibration needs.