Travel Blog

 

An Aircraft Ladder Is A Vital Piece Of Equipment

By Mia Kent


Anyone who has been to an airport will know just how busy it can be. There seems to be a constant stream of aeroplanes coming and going. Not many people give much thought to what is needed to help keep a successful airport running. If they were to do so many would say things like a good runway, or radar, but probably no one would even think to mention an aircraft ladder.

No matter how big or small the airport this item of ground equipment can be found at them all. They can be called upon to satisfy a multitude of tasks, and consequently they are highly adaptable. Due to the limited number of people who work on or around the flight line there are several considerations which need addressing with regards to the ground equipment. The prime one being portability, ideally a single person should be able to move it by themselves.

One often repeated procedure on the flight line is that of refueling. With the variety of different makes and models which can fly into an airport, no two planes appear to be the same. Some will have their fueling points in different places to others, and quite often these will be at a variety of height levels. The flight line crews need to gain access to all of these various points.

Something else that the equipment manufacturers have thought about is also safety. For example the material that this equipment is made from is aluminium. This means that it will be lightweight so the ground crew are not likely to injure themselves as they position this equipment where it needs to go. Despite it being lightweight it also needs to be of a robust construction.

So considering this same refueling operation, a fuel hose is a heavy bulky item, and it would not be ideal were the equipment that the maintainer used to gain access to the fueling point were to fall to pieces. Manufacturers estimate that the load is rated at approximately 300 lbs. There are also reinforcing straps and gussets associated with each step, these help to provide even greater stability and strength.

Even the width of the step tread has been thought about, they are designed to provide a safe, yet comfortable, foot hold. If you look closer you will notice they are perforated. The perforations fulfill two purposes, they help to limit the total weight, and due wet conditions still ensure safe footing.

To make movement even easier there are a couple of robust wheels also fitted. So all an individual has to do is tilt the item and move it. There are a variety of heights available, and each will afford a stable working platform. Even if a baggage truck were to reverse into one and knock it over, there will be no possibility of a spark because it is made from aluminium.

Imagine that all of this thought has gone into the humble aircraft ladder. Just consider how much thought has also gone into the rest of the equipment which gets used at an airport each and everyday. The other equipment used will also serve multiple purposes, and incorporates servicing platforms and wing access steps.




About the Author:



Comments :

0 comments to “An Aircraft Ladder Is A Vital Piece Of Equipment”

Post a Comment

Blog Archive