22 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE FEBRUARY 2016
RAMP TECHNOLOGY
R
eliable communication on the ramp is a
safety imperative, not a convenience. Wire-
less, noise-cancelling headsets allow ramp
crews to maintain clear, constant commu-
nication with each other and those in aircraft while
minimizing the noise of the ramp itself.
Wired headsets have been the norm on the ramp
for decades, but in 2011, David Clark Company
introduced their line of wireless headsets after
decades of experience with in developing wired
communications for a number of industries. For
ground support, however, the going began slowly.
"Manufacturers have been trying to introduce
wireless intercom headset systems to the ground
support market for the better part of two decades,"
Bob Daigle, product manager at David Clark
Company, says. "And these earlier attempts have
had little if any success in regards to reliability."
You've Really Made the Grade
Early adoption bit back hard in the ground support
industry. Early attempts at wireless headsets had
poor reliability and, when they did work, didn't
have the ability to block environmental noise on
the ramp. Eventually, ramp operations managers
resorted back to wired communications.
David Clark had to cash in some reputation cred-
ibility to get system trials and, in a positive for the
Communications technology is some of the fastest moving tech on the
plant. At home, it starts with a new iPhone every six months, continues
with a new dongle or software that allows you to use that iPhone in the car
without impugn from law enforcement and ends with a home-wide intercom
system…that you can use with your iPhone. But what about on the ramp?
By Alex Wendland
Can You Hear Me, Major Tom?