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Reducing Passenger Carrier Delays with Efficient Ground Service

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In 2018 alone, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimated that passenger carrier delays cost $28billion between direct costs to airlines and passengers, indirect costs, and reduced demand. While some causes of delays may be unavoidable, such as weather, others can be mitigated or avoided entirely by improving the efficiency of airside ground crew operations. Whether than means investing in an upgraded aircraft pushback or tug tractor, or updating crew training and communication strategies, the payoff is clearly worth it. Aircraft Ground Power Unit Dependable Air Start Service Aircraft ground power units (GPUs) see a lot of use on the airside, as aircraft start service is a must for any airport or FBO. The GPUs can go through a lot of wear and tear, between daily use and varying weather conditions, so reliability is a critical factor in efficient aircraft start service. GPUs should also feature easy mobility and handling to help crews work more quickly. Inv...
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How GSE Technology Can Reduce the Risk of Human Error on the Airside

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Airside ground crew employees have extremely challenging jobs, performing critical labor that keeps an airport operating efficiently. Unfortunately, no matter how hard-working and committed any group of people is, nobody is perfect: occasional mistakes are inevitable. Mistakes on the airside can have far more serious consequences than those made by members of other professions, and so reducing the possibility of human error is a significant concern for ground crew teams.  Aircraft Tug Access to a reliable aircraft tow tractor , pushback, lavatory service cart, or any other ground support equipment (GSE) is crucial to a ground crew’s success, as reliable tools alone can reduce the risk of mistakes. Better still is GSE outfitted with safety technology innovations that automatically prevent damage or simply remove human error from the equation. Tug and Pushback Overstress Protection Overstress damage to an aircraft’s nose gear is a common and costly risk with ...
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How Replacing or Upgrading GSE Could End Up Saving an Aviation Business Good Money

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As is the case with any industry, money can be tight for ground crew operations. In many cases, it’s even tighter with high aviation industry insurance rates and the cost of maintaining fleets of sophisticated machinery. With the value of life and equipment at stake, there aren’t really any corners to cut in the name of savings. However, sometimes doing just the opposite can prove financially beneficial. Upgrading or investing in a new aircraft pushback tractor, service cart, or other ground support equipment (GSE) can not only improve productivity but can also save money. Aircraft Pushback Better GSE Requires Less Maintenance Perhaps the most obvious way that investing in new GSE or upgrading a current fleet could save an airside operation money is simply by improving functionality. New, more technologically advanced GSE from a reputable provider will typically require less maintenance and repair than older models. Improved functionality also reduces the downtime t...
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Why Upgrading GSE Is Crucial for Airside Safety and Efficient Service

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Ground crews working on the airside face unique challenges on a daily basis. They face all of the physical demands of other labor-intensive professions: they work outdoors, with heavy machinery, and in stressful conditions. Ground crews also face additional risks. The only occupation that’s roughly comparable is road construction and maintenance, except those crews only face traffic from road vehicles. Airside crews face traditional and ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles headed in every direction, in addition to taxiing and towed aircraft with all of the noise and hazards accompanying them. These unique challenges and risks make reliable GSE crucial for safety and efficiency on the airside. Aircraft Tow Tractor Upgrade GSE to Maintain the Safety of Crews and Passengers Low-quality GSE is incredibly frustrating for its operators, and considering the importance of their jobs, it can be difficult for frustrated operators to perform at their best. Additionally, the...
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Saving Money, Making Money, and Improving Efficiency for a Small Airport or FBO

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Ask virtually any owner or manager of a small, local airport, airstrip, or FBO and they’ll tell you that their business isn’t a road to immediate riches. It’s a labor of love. However, that doesn’t mean that being the owner of a small aviation destination can’t be exciting, fulfilling, fun, and profitable. As with any small business, success means shrewd decision making. In this case, that encompasses everything from choosing the right aircraft pushback tractor to marketing your business successfully. Consider the following suggestions for a more profitable small airport or FBO. Invest in Efficient GSE Ground support equipment (GSE) is among the most important factors in the efficient operation and continuing success of a small local airport. GSE is generally a sizable investment, making it all the more important to make good choices. It’s also a long-term investment, as a good GSE vehicle can be with an aviation business for decades. As such, one of the most important consider...
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Simple Ways to Improve Crew Safety on the Ramp

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The airside is one of the most dynamic, fast-moving, and dangerous work environments. Workers perform heavy labor, they work exposed to the eleme nts, they’re often required to operate heavy machinery and specialized vehicles, and they have to contend with the risk of vehicles operating in close proximity. Aircraft Tug Those vehicles are heading in all directions, and vary greatly in size and speed. That includes aircraft tugs and tractors hauling baggage trains, other ground support equipment (GSE) vehicles, and of course aircraft. Thousands of tons (and millions of dollars worth) of aircraft on the ramp need to be serviced, and the safety of crews and passengers is at stake. A safe airside work environment is of absolute importance. Training and More Training This may be something of a cliché to anyone who manages grounds crews and GSE, but perhaps the simplest way to improve airside crew safety is training, training, and more training. Ensure that the entire ground crew i...
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The Alarming Threat of Diesel Exhaust Fluid Fuel Contamination

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There are good reasons to be especially cautious airside when handling diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Over the last 20 months, at least three incidents involving DEF fuel contamination have occurred. Two of which included Cessna Citation 550 twinjets carrying out air ambulance flights. Though all aircraft landed safely and there were no injuries, the occurrences speak to the importance of taking steps to mitigate or remove the risk of DEF contamination in fuel. The cause of these near-tragedies was the introduction of DEF into the fuel supply. The threat of DEF contamination of a fuel supply is a harrowing one, but, whether it’s by cautious loading of an aircraft tug or an update to ground crew training, with some basic precautions even near-tragedies can be averted. What is DEF? DEF is a non-hazardous fluid that, to meet federal environmental regulations, is added to the exhaust systems of diesel vehicles to break polluting emissions into water and nitrogen. While i...
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