Logistic Challenges Associated With GSE

Airport Ground Support Equipment (GSE) is extremely important to run an efficient airport operation. GSE is there to support the operations of aircraft on the ground. It involves auxiliary power, aircraft ground movement, cargo loading, and passenger boarding/disembarking operations. Passengers board the aircraft using mobile stairs.  At more active and large airports, passengers are provided with air bridges. At many airports, electrical power is provided by mobile ground power units and preconditioned air for each aircraft is often required for the comfort of the passengers. Fueling facilities and other utilities are located near aircraft parking. There are a large number of service and maintenance equipment as part of the GSE necessary to run an airport.

Most of the GSEs are required to work on the airside of the airport to service the aircraft during the turnaround process. GSEs perform several tasks that are essential for flight operations. Some of these GSEs are listed here:

• Aircraft maintenance carts/ trucks
• Cleaning and Water trucks
• Push tugs
• Aircraft refueling trucks
• Airfield maintenance carts
• De-icing and snow removal vehicles
• Emergency response vehicles
• Moving payloads vehicles
• Restocking of provisions vans.
• Power and HVAC vans

While a safe and timely flight is the ultimate goal, some of the most important decisions that impact the success of flight rely upon the processes and people who never leave the ground.

To keep all the GSE in top working condition is not an easy task. It is a big logistic challenge to keep the fully functional equipment in service and move out the non-functioning items for repairs. Since all the work at a functioning airport is time-critical, it is important that many repair and maintenance work on the GSEs can be provided right near the ramp at the airport.

The logistics challenge becomes is more critical, as many maintenance companies are often relying on outdated approaches. Many companies involved in servicing aircraft, and maintaining and aircraft-related equipment have struggled to keep their equipment updated that is necessary for the modern aviation industry and its regulatory requirements.

You have to make an extra effort to ensure that your GSEs can provide the required service to the aircraft. You have to ensure the periodic maintenance of your equipment is done reliably and in a timely manner. A good preventive maintenance schedule and adherence to it reduces unplanned downtime and delays in flight operation.

For better fleet management companies employ monitoring and tracking devices for GSE to know exactly where each piece of equipment is located and how quickly it can be brought into service at a specified location.  Wireless monitoring allows you to take early action to reduce damage and repairs to equipment. Ultimately, you can make better-informed decisions as to the timing of equipment replacement.

Mishandling of GSE by unauthorized personnel is also a serious issue as negatively impacts your GSE operation. Wireless monitoring lets you know how operators are using the equipment. This can provide specific operator access control reduce unexpected airport downtime and reduce the damage of equipment.

The specialized but essential issues of maintenance teams are sometimes relegated. New technologies are emerging constantly within the aviation industry that tends to focus on breakthrough equipment, maintenance methods, servicing routines, and cost reductions. However, these processes require the same mission-critical attention to detail to ensure the prolonged success and safety of the aviation industry. Obsolete systems are no longer viable and cannot keep up with the growing and changing market needs that the aviation companies have to face.

To protect an aircraft’s value, it must be properly maintained over time. There is a direct correlation between the market value of an aircraft and how well it has been maintained. The financial burden of a large passenger jet and the safety of the passengers should not depend on outdated printouts, verbal orders, printed reports, casual notes, generic emails, manual spreadsheets, or paper checklists on a clipboard.

Insiders to the industry know that the issues of maintenance are extremely complex and thousands of variables impact the ability to maintain schedules and provide services for passengers and cargo to destinations worldwide.

Wherever possible complex tasks must be automated, incompatible systems eliminated, and manual data entry should be removed from work procedures. All resources, including the time of engineers, skilled technicians, and other staff must be fully optimized.

This is why GSE owners must collaborate with high-performance maintenance and calibration companies who are experts in their fields and can provide on-site service for efficiency and reduced logistics requirement.

To manage the logistic issues, airport managers should use a good assets management system to manage the logistics of their GSE.  It is essential that they should know the location and status of each GSE and be able to move it to another location in a minimum time when needed.

Ground Support Equipment is essential to both,  productivity, efficiency, and safety at the airport.  It is critical to properly inspect and maintain equipment, otherwise, it can not only lead to flight delays but may jeopardize aircraft safety and can put the life and well-being of personnel at risk. Any airport must a minimum serviceable complement of GSE for the types of aircraft it is certified to service.

e2b calibration can maintain and service all types of ground service equipment to the highest industry standards while being reliable and cost-effective. Our verifiable services are unmatched in the industry. We are registered with ANAB. We are also ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 certified. We have the NIST Traceable Wide scope of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Please contact e2b calibration for more information about our on-site services.