Aircraft docking systems and staging.   

Access equipment in the aircraft mro sector where time is limited is different altogether from "aircraft docking", the process of pulling up to the passenger bridges.

Strength, speed, mobility and versatility are combined with support in the design of the structure to suit individual requirements. Aircraft docking systems encase any type of aircraft closely, enabling work to be carried out efficiently. Aircraft docking platforms are generally constructed on mobile bases, enabling faster docking and de-docking. The joints will not come loose when being positioned. The aircraft docking systems can be broken down, modified and re-configured, enabling them to be re-used time and time again for every type of aircraft, or they can be more fixed aircraft docking.

Aircraft Docking Maintenance Stairs and Aircraft Docking Systems require innovation, customer orientation and care for the environment.

Aircraft maintenance work may be major (deep maintenance) or minor checks and repairs between flights (line maintenance). Divided into engineering or refinishing, engineering work involves both routine and fault correction work on the inside and outside of the aircraft. It may take place in a hangar or on the airport apron. Refinishing may involve paint stripping, cleaning and painting of all or part of the exterior of the aircraft and occasionally interior work.

Deep maintenance usually takes place in hangars, offering protection against the weather and with a limited number of vehicle movements. Line maintenance may take place outdoors, often on the airport apron, where weather conditions and the large number of vehicle movements are additional considerations.

The access requirements for engineering and refinishing can also be different. For example, refinishing work may require more extensive working platforms at levels not always ideal for engineering work. Refinishing work also requires a space between the aircraft and the working platform and the aircraft. The need to provide safe access for all the trades who may work on the aircraft requires careful planning and often changes to the access as work progresses. The non-linear shape of the aircraft and the importance of avoiding damage to its skin and structures poses additional risks.

Aircraft access equipment. 

A range of aircraft access equipment is used in the industry. This includes suspended work platforms specially built for aircraft refinishing work, decking that is customised to fit all or part of an aircraft, docking platforms that can be adjusted in height and profile for a range of aircraft (eg nose and tail docking), various types of scaffolding, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), towers and steps.

Special aircraft docking equipment or jigs represent a substantial investment, but can provide safe access, adjusted to closely follow aircraft contours. Systems may be a part of the hangar structure and may be placed in a number of horizontal and vertical combinations. More common are customised docking and scaffolds, which are usually permanent mobile structures.

It may also be necessary to provide small increments in the height of working platforms to ensure workers are able to safely reach the aircraft without having to resort to step-ups and the like, which may place them above the protection afforded by the guard rails. Some docks are fitted with motorised positioning mechanisms.

Mobile elevating work platforms MEWPs.

There are European Standards for aircraft ground support equipment GSE. BS EN 1915 covers basic safety requirements; BS EN 12312 – 8: 2005 covers specific requirements for aircraft maintenance stairs and platforms.

Access to the top surfaces of the aircraft can be difficult. These surfaces include the wings, horizontal stabilisers and tail, and the top of the aircraft (crown skin). For most activities scene docks, scaffolds or ‘cherry picker’ style MEWPs can be used to provide safe aircraft access equipment.