The ground support industry's source for news, articles, events, product and services information.
Issue link: https://groundsupportworldwide.epubxp.com/i/643581
FEBRUARY 2016 AviationPros.com 25 RAMP TECHNOLOGY Sitting in a Tin Can For tug drivers, the clarity and speed of communication is essential for safe, reliable handling and pushback. "For example, take a tug operator working with a pair of wing-walkers at a gate for push- back," Daigle says. "The way our wireless system works, all ground crew have hands free voice communication at normal speech volume, and the crew lead talks to the pilot when pressing a push-to-talk switch through a gateway plugged into the aircraft." Suddenly, with everyone on the same com- munications systems, the tug driver has three lookouts from three different perspectives – off of whom are communicating verbally, without the need for hand signals. "So, if either of the wing-walkers sees an obstacle in danger of making contact with the aircraft during a push, they simply speak up as they see it," Daigle says. "This way, the tug operator can avoid the hazard without having to see it themselves. This saves the crew and others from potential harm, while saving the airline money in terms of avoiding costly aircraft damage." Just as important as being heard, according to Daigle, is that his headsets are reliable at normal speech levels. Speech is undeniably faster than using hand signals, but when ramp crews need to shout, they might as well not even try speaking. What will they do the next day? Voices give out. Scheduling tests with any number of manufacturers will help fnd the best ft for your crew on your ramp. Commencing Countdown, Engines On The ultimate goal of ground support is obvi- ously getting aircraft in the air as quickly and safely as possible. That goal is second only to the safety and wellbeing of the ground support team and passengers on the ramp. Not only does headset tech improve com- munication on the ramp, it improves ramp effciency, safety and turnaround time at the gate and, as a result, saves airlines and airports hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost time and damages. Open lines of communication, including allowing tug operators to verbally commu- nicate with both pilots and wing watchers as opposed to relying on hand signals, con- tributes to improved on-time performance, avoidance of delays and cancellations based on damaging incidents and can even improve efficiency for aircraft maintenance and deicing. Need to order support parts at 3 am? Our new webstore gives you immediate access to our huge inventory and it's open when it works for YOU! +1 208-378-9888 | www.aerospecialties.com Ground support equipment Parts! AviationPros.com/10016920 The wireless system is designed to permit communication between the tug operator (or lead crew member) and the pilot. The tug operator also has the ability to communicate with wingwalkers. Use of the system eliminates "line- of-sight" issues with wingwalkers who often times cannot see the tug operator, or even one another during pushback. Not only does headset tech improve communication on the ramp, it improves ramp effciency, safety and turnaround time at the gate.