All too often when people are at an airport they watch the planes moving about on the ground. They look so big when compared to the person stood next to it loading the luggage. How many people notice things like the lights on the wingtips, or the tail, and every so often they stop working just like on your car. With your car everything is easy to get to from ground level, not so with a plane, they have to use an aircraft ladder.
Its a simple matter to notice that all of the various planes are different sizes and shapes. This means that those people working on them will have to be at varying levels to carry out their work. To assist them with this the designers has created platforms and steps which are adjustable, not only that there are also different designs for different tasks.
As an example the maintainers will routinely undertake refuelling operations. To gain access to the fuel point they will use a fueling platform. This platform is positioned under the fuselage of the plane, and then raised to the required height. The built in fuel lines can be connected to the plane's fuel points. The fuel bowser can be linked to the other end of the platform's integral fuel lines.
It should be pointed out that these platforms are made from aluminium. This serves two main purposes, it is easy for people to move as it is lighter than steel. Also if anything is dropped on it no sparks will be created.
You will often notice a small lead trailing on the ground, this is a bonding lead. This will ensure that everything has the same earth level, and prevent any build up of static electricity. For those who have ever received an electric shock when getting out of a car, that was static electricity. You can now understand why this needs to be eliminated from refuelling operations.
The platform's chassis is on hard wearing rubber wheels. This helps make it very manoeuvrable in confined spaces. When the platform is correctly positioned the brakes can be engaged. On some designs there are also stabilizing legs, these can be screwed down into position. At the same time this is happening the wheel are also being lifted clear from the ground. This helps to make for a very stable work area.
As it is so versatile, its uses are not confined to just fueling operations. Think back to those lights on the wingtips. Using the raise facility on this platform the operative can get the required height and change the blown bulbs.
As with any aircraft ladder a great deal of thought has gone into designing it. The most important concern is always the safety of anyone using it, closely followed by making it versatile and adaptable. Next time you find yourself at an airport you will now have more of an understanding about what is happening down on the flight line as they wheel these bits and pieces round.
Its a simple matter to notice that all of the various planes are different sizes and shapes. This means that those people working on them will have to be at varying levels to carry out their work. To assist them with this the designers has created platforms and steps which are adjustable, not only that there are also different designs for different tasks.
As an example the maintainers will routinely undertake refuelling operations. To gain access to the fuel point they will use a fueling platform. This platform is positioned under the fuselage of the plane, and then raised to the required height. The built in fuel lines can be connected to the plane's fuel points. The fuel bowser can be linked to the other end of the platform's integral fuel lines.
It should be pointed out that these platforms are made from aluminium. This serves two main purposes, it is easy for people to move as it is lighter than steel. Also if anything is dropped on it no sparks will be created.
You will often notice a small lead trailing on the ground, this is a bonding lead. This will ensure that everything has the same earth level, and prevent any build up of static electricity. For those who have ever received an electric shock when getting out of a car, that was static electricity. You can now understand why this needs to be eliminated from refuelling operations.
The platform's chassis is on hard wearing rubber wheels. This helps make it very manoeuvrable in confined spaces. When the platform is correctly positioned the brakes can be engaged. On some designs there are also stabilizing legs, these can be screwed down into position. At the same time this is happening the wheel are also being lifted clear from the ground. This helps to make for a very stable work area.
As it is so versatile, its uses are not confined to just fueling operations. Think back to those lights on the wingtips. Using the raise facility on this platform the operative can get the required height and change the blown bulbs.
As with any aircraft ladder a great deal of thought has gone into designing it. The most important concern is always the safety of anyone using it, closely followed by making it versatile and adaptable. Next time you find yourself at an airport you will now have more of an understanding about what is happening down on the flight line as they wheel these bits and pieces round.
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