Whenever people are faced with a slight delay at an airport they often watch what is going on outside at the flight line. The plane's parked there seem huge when compared to those people who are outside working on them. There are simple things such as the lights on the tips of the wings which do fail at times. They are not as easy to change as the lights on your car, but to gain access to these lights an engineer will make use of 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.
Take a refuelling platform for example. These will come with their own hoses attached as part of the design. The platform will be positioned underneath the belly of the plane, and then adjusted to the correct height. The integral fuel lines can now be connected to the plane's refuelling point. The fuel tanker can be connected to the other end of the fuel lines, normally positioned at the bottom of the steps.
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.
Don't worry if you notice a strap dragging along the ground, this is the bonding lead. This is designed to prevent any static electricity building up by providing a path to earth. In much the same way that earth straps used to be fitted to some cars which had a habit of giving their owners a small electric shock each time they got out of them.
The platform as a whole is on wheels, and these are of a very durable rubber construction. Once the platform has been positioned correctly the brakes are applied. Some will even have small stabilizing legs on a screw thread. These are unscrewed which also serves to raise the wheels from the ground. So now the platform is in the correct position, at the correct height, grounded to earth and is providing a stable platform from which the fuel operative can work.
With its versatility this refuelling platform is also perfect for other tasks and functions. Consider those wing tip lights which were mentioned earlier. Using the adjustable height facility this platform provides, a maintainer can now quite easily get to the correct height to change the blown lamps.
There is a great deal of thought that goes into the design of an aircraft ladder. As you would imagine the prime concern is that of safety, followed by versatility and adaptability. Maybe the next time you find yourself waiting at an airport you will have a better insight into the ground operations that are going on around the aeroplanes.
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.
Take a refuelling platform for example. These will come with their own hoses attached as part of the design. The platform will be positioned underneath the belly of the plane, and then adjusted to the correct height. The integral fuel lines can now be connected to the plane's refuelling point. The fuel tanker can be connected to the other end of the fuel lines, normally positioned at the bottom of the steps.
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.
Don't worry if you notice a strap dragging along the ground, this is the bonding lead. This is designed to prevent any static electricity building up by providing a path to earth. In much the same way that earth straps used to be fitted to some cars which had a habit of giving their owners a small electric shock each time they got out of them.
The platform as a whole is on wheels, and these are of a very durable rubber construction. Once the platform has been positioned correctly the brakes are applied. Some will even have small stabilizing legs on a screw thread. These are unscrewed which also serves to raise the wheels from the ground. So now the platform is in the correct position, at the correct height, grounded to earth and is providing a stable platform from which the fuel operative can work.
With its versatility this refuelling platform is also perfect for other tasks and functions. Consider those wing tip lights which were mentioned earlier. Using the adjustable height facility this platform provides, a maintainer can now quite easily get to the correct height to change the blown lamps.
There is a great deal of thought that goes into the design of an aircraft ladder. As you would imagine the prime concern is that of safety, followed by versatility and adaptability. Maybe the next time you find yourself waiting at an airport you will have a better insight into the ground operations that are going on around the aeroplanes.
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