AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform Southwest Installation
An airline company’s main responsibility and concern is the safety of its passengers. An industry such as this requires frequent maintenance checks, as well as, repairs. This specific company has been building all scaffolding in-house and has spent countless hours making adjustments to the scaffolding when the height of the planes being worked on changed. That said, the company needed a more permanent platform to replace the scaffolding that was currently being used and that was taking employee’s time to build, setup and adjust for each aircraft.
Airline maintenance teams need reliable access solutions that can adapt to different aircraft while keeping maintenance work efficient. One airline company had been building scaffolding in-house for aircraft maintenance, requiring employees to spend significant time constructing, setting up, and adjusting the scaffolding whenever aircraft heights changed. To address this challenge, ErectaStep developed a part-custom and part-modular solution using an AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform designed to provide adjustable access for different-sized aircraft. The pneumatically height-adjustable platforms gave operators a more practical alternative to the scaffolding previously used, while also providing an easier way to position the work platform around the aircraft.
What Is an AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform?
An AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform is an adjustable access platform designed to support maintenance activities around aircraft. In this project, ErectaStep proposed mobile platforms that could be adjusted pneumatically to accommodate aircraft with different heights. Unlike the in-house scaffolding the airline had previously used, the AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform could be maneuvered into position and adjusted for the aircraft being serviced. This allowed employees to access different areas of the aircraft without repeatedly building and modifying scaffolding.
Importance of an AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform
Aircraft maintenance can involve working around aircraft of different sizes and configurations. When access equipment needs to be rebuilt or manually adjusted for each aircraft, preparation can take valuable employee time. The airline company was already familiar with ErectaStep through its use in Boeing facilities and had seen how the mobile adjustable solution could improve quality, safety, and operator productivity. For this project, an AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform offered a way to address the company’s need for a more permanent alternative to its existing scaffolding process. The adjustable design also helped employees position the platforms according to the aircraft being serviced, reducing the need for repeated scaffolding adjustments.
How the AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform Works
The platforms developed for this project use pneumatic height adjustment. This allows operators to change the platform height when working with different-sized aircraft. The mobile design also allows the platforms to be moved into position as needed. Together, the mobility and pneumatic adjustment provide aircraft maintenance personnel with a flexible access solution without requiring them to construct and modify scaffolding for each aircraft.
Key Features
The project-specific solution included several features intended to address the airline’s maintenance requirements:
- Pneumatic height adjustment for different-sized aircraft
- Mobile platforms that are easy to maneuver
- Part-custom and part-modular construction
- Adjustable access for aircraft maintenance activities
- An alternative to repeatedly building and adjusting scaffolding
- Four stands selected for initial testing at a Kansas City location
These features were incorporated into the solution based on the airline company’s existing maintenance process and its need for more efficient aircraft access.
Applications
The AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform was developed for aircraft maintenance where employees need access to different areas of an aircraft. The platforms were specifically intended to accommodate changes in aircraft height and provide a practical access point during maintenance operations. For this project, SafeRack was working with the airline on the front and back cargo doors of the planes. The adjustable platforms allowed employees to position the equipment according to the aircraft being serviced.
Project Installation Overview
The airline company had been building its own scaffolding for maintenance operations. While this provided access to the aircraft, employees had to spend considerable time building, setting up, and adjusting the scaffolding whenever the height of the aircraft being serviced changed. ErectaStep met with the company to develop a solution combining custom and modular elements. The proposed AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform used pneumatic height adjustment so operators could access different-sized planes without repeatedly rebuilding the access structure. The airline initially decided to test four stands at one of its Kansas City locations. After delivery, SafeRack began working with the company on access for the front and back cargo doors of its aircraft. The project provided the airline with a solution designed around its existing maintenance requirements while reducing the repeated setup and adjustment work associated with its previous scaffolding approach.
Why did the airline company need an AeroSpace Mobile Work Platform?
The company had been building scaffolding in-house and spending significant time setting it up and adjusting it when aircraft heights changed. The new platform solution was developed as a more permanent and adjustable alternative.
How does the platform accommodate different aircraft heights?
The platform uses pneumatic height adjustment, allowing operators to adjust the working height for different-sized aircraft.
Can the platform be moved around the aircraft?
Yes. The project source describes the platforms as mobile and easy to maneuver, allowing employees to position them as needed for aircraft maintenance.
Where was the solution initially tested?
The airline company initially tested four stands at one of its locations in Kansas City.
What aircraft areas were addressed in this project?
SafeRack was working on access around the front and back cargo doors of the aircraft as part of the project.