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Handling Increased Ground Damage Costs with Enhanced GSE

With over 100,000 commercial flights taking off daily, as noted by OAG, airport operations have become more complex than ever. The necessity for ramp safety has skyrocketed, especially considering that incidents related to Ground Support Equipment (GSE) can lead to costly delays and significant Aircraft On Ground (AOG) scenarios. Lamentably, various factors augment ground damage issues, potentially driving costs up to an alarming US$10 billion by 2035, as projected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The IATA has also identified that employing Enhanced GSE equipped with anti-collision and blind spot technologies can reduce these escalating costs by an impressive 42%. Their 2024 Annual Safety Report revealed a slight uptick in incident rates, increasing from 1.09 to 1.13 incidents per million flights, including seven fatal accidents resulting in 244 onboard fatalities. However, the overall fatality risk remains low at 0.06, well below the five-year average of 0.10. These statistics serve as reminders that even minor ground collisions can escalate into major financial liabilities and operational delays, indicating a paramount need for robust monitoring and prevention solutions.

Understanding the Risks of Blind Spots and Collisions

Ground handlers often operate equipment in close quarters adjacent to aircraft. This circumstance heightens the danger posed by blind spots around various aircraft structures, including wings, fuselage corners, and cargo doors. Unseen hazards, in combination with the potential for rapid vehicle momentum, can lead to various forms of damage – from dents and skin damage to structural impairment. If left unmonitored, such incidents can culminate in rapid decompression or AOG scenarios that can cripple an airline's operational capabilities.

Ground Support Equipment encompasses a broad array of vehicles, ranging from catering trucks to baggage tugs, pushback tractors, fuel tankers, and passenger transport vehicles, each carrying unique operational challenges and risk profiles. Given their designs and operational environments, many of these vehicles encounter notable blind spots, contributing to a series of incidents that can result in aircraft skin damage, crew injuries, or even AOG designations for the aircraft involved.

Solutions to Enhance GSE Safety

To tackle these overarching safety concerns, Brigade Electronics has unveiled a suite of advanced safety technologies specifically designed for GSE operations. Initially developed to enhance safety measures for catering vehicles, Brigade's safety kits have expanded, offering a plethora of features:

• - HFR HD Backeye®360 Camera System: This system provides real-time high-definition 360-degree visual coverage of blind zones around vehicles, thus facilitating safer maneuvering around aircraft and crowded operational areas. Included are innovative Human Feature Recognition (HFR) capabilities that utilize artificial intelligence to detect pedestrians within a specified detection zone, alerting operators visually or audibly to potential hazards.
• - Dual-Screen Setup for Enhanced Visibility: Two additional cameras mounted on the vehicle's lateral sides help provide clear visibility of aircraft wings during critical approach phases, ensuring safer operational decisions.
• - Final Approach Monitor: A screen mounted on the forward top of the vehicle assists drivers in verifying clearance beneath aircraft wings and fuselage during final maneuvers.

These combined technologies establish a comprehensive risk mitigation framework, aimed at lowering ground collisions, protecting assets, and lessening the risk of AOG scenarios caused by equipment-related damage.

Corey Heniser, the CEO of Brigade Electronics, articulates, ‘Brigade's technologies offer more than mere hazard detection; they deliver solutions empowering operators to manage operations with confidence while minimizing disruptions and financial losses. The industry is at risk of incurring billions in ground damage costs; our systems enhance visibility, ensure control at the ramp, and help prevent AOG events before they escalate.’

Brigade Electronics will participate in the upcoming GSE Expo, inviting attendees to visit their booth for live demonstrations of their safety solutions and insights into optimizing operational safety and reducing AOG downtimes. Find them at Booth 2068, where you can observe firsthand the myriad ways their innovations can be leveraged to safeguard operations and protect aircraft.

Sources:

• - IATA – Ground Handling Priorities Safety, Global Standards, and Sustainability.
• - IATA EASA – IATA's 2024 Annual Safety Report.

Brigade Electronics stands as a leading player in the global market, hailed for its innovative vehicle safety solutions. Their mission - to save lives and enhance operational safety – reinforces their commitment to constant technological advancement in the field. Since its inception in 1976, Brigade has pioneered numerous industry-leading safety products, proving instrumental in reducing risks associated with vehicle collisions and enhancing overall safety in aviation operations.