GSE Airport Solutions: Powered Vs. Manual Equipment

Ground support equipment (GSE) includes all the gear, vehicles, and tools that ground crews use to service aircraft and perform vital airport tasks.

This GSE keeps your airport running. But what powers your GSE? In previous blogs, we've discussed the benefits of electric ground support vehicles, from electric tow tractors to an all electric airport bus.

There's one resource that's even more sustainable than electrical power, however: Manual operation.

Not all airport ground operations can be completed with non-powered equipment, of course, and every piece of equipment must be optimized to get the job done safely and efficiently. But manual tools are the original zero-emission vehicles, and using them where possible can help your airport live up to your commitment to sustainability.

Here are a few examples of manual GSE airport solutions, along with the tasks best left to electric airport ground support equipment.

Non-Powered GSE for Airport Daily Operations

Overall, the GSE market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 7 percent through 2030. Most of that growth will occur via powered equipment, either electric or otherwise. But without manual equipment, no airport can continue operating efficiently. Here are some of the unsung heroes of the airport ground support industry.

Aircraft Wheel Chocks

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires parked aircraft to be secured with wheel chocks in front of and behind the main wheels.

That makes the simple wheel chock an essential piece of equipment for all airport ground service providers. Chocks ensure stability for any aircraft between flights. They keep ground crews safe while improving your capacity for regulation compliance — no power necessary.

Aircraft Jack Stands

Aircraft jacks come in a variety of designs: axle jacks, tripod jacks, tail stands, and more.  They're a key tool for any maintenance technician, since they provide access to otherwise hard-to-reach parts of the aircraft.

Hydraulic power allows technicians to lift and support aircraft without the need for electric equipment or internal combustion engines.

Landing Gear Dollies

Specialized dollies transport aircraft wheels, brakes, and other landing gear components that are too heavy to carry without equipment. These dollies roll on heavy duty casters, so technicians can push them into place without the need for pushback tugs or other powered equipment.

Aircraft Maintenance Platforms

Rolling steel platforms provide access to elevated parts of an aircraft. Simply push them into place, secure the caster lock, and safely service aircraft without the ergonomic hazards of overhead work.

Material and Baggage Carts

Ground crews use lots of hand tools, which are easier to transport with a material cart. You might also use a manual baggage truck for items like mail bags, cartons, or loose baggage. Manual lavatory carts also help to move supplies for aircraft lavatories.

Electric Airport Ground Support Equipment

Of course, you can't complete every task with manual equipment. Here are some of the essential GSE airport vehicles that will require power — and often benefit from the trend toward electrification of airport ground support equipment.

• Belt Loaders/Cargo Loaders
• Aircraft Ground Power Units - power supplies
• Fuel Trucks
• Pushback Tractors, Airport Tugs/Pushback Tugs, and Baggage Tractors
• Potable Water Trucks
• Non-potable Water Trucks
• De-icing Vehicles
• Passenger Boarding Stairs
• Aircraft Service Stairs
• Lavatory Service Vehicles

Why go with electric alternatives to standard vehicles for these pieces of equipment? As we've mentioned in our guide to choosing electric GSE, an electric driveline doesn't use up fuel during idling. An electric vehicle also has access to high torque at low RPMs.

That makes electric power ideal for stop-and-go tasks like cargo loading and other types of ground support. Electricity is also a cleaner and more energy-efficient technology than the thermal combustion engine, making it ideal for ground handling vehicles at airports seeking to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Unlike manual GSE, however, electric GSE does require careful battery management. That's where Solus Group can help.

EV Charger Handling Equipment for GSE Airport Solutions

Your electric airport fleet can only function efficiently with easy access to EV chargers. Simplify charging tasks with EV Charger Pedestals and Cable Management Kits from Solus Group.

An extremely compact footprint allows you to install EV Charger Pedestals in convenient locations, indoors or out. Integrated EV Charger Cable Retractors protect charging cables by keeping them out of the way between uses, while ensuring easy access for charging.

By building efficient EV charging stations, you can keep operating costs to an absolute minimum while making a smooth transition to the all-electric GSE fleet. These EV charging stations are becoming a key piece of infrastructure at airports around the world. Bring the advantages of zero-emission airport ground support equipment to your operation today.

Contact Solus Group at 314-696-0200 to learn more about EV Charger Handling Equipment for airports.