Airports’ success is seamless as several teams work together smoothly. Among these teams the ground crew department is tasked with coordinating the movement of aircraft both on the runway and inside hangars. While moving airplanes inside hangars might seem routine, it presents a unique set of challenges for ground crew members. While restricted space and safety hazards make it tough to land aircraft indoors. There is a multitude of obstacles can interfere with the task. Let’s delve into the specific problems faced by ground crew when moving airplanes inside hangars and explore potential solutions to overcome these challenges.
Whether you are an individual owner or a large operator, properly storing and protecting your aircraft is essential to maintaining the value of this asset and ensuring it continues to operate at peak performance. Consequently, it is important that you consider your options for hangaring an airplane before you acquire it.
As MRO operations increasingly becoming more digitalized, modern aviation maintenance technicians (AMT) are more reliant on technology to access information and collaborate with colleagues. However, connectivity inside an aircraft hangar can be spotty, a major pitfall for AMTs attempting to communicate digitally or test GPS and satellite communication systems. Working through your “hangar selection checklist” will ensure that you are well-informed and give you clarity as you make this important decision.
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Limited Space
Hangars are built to accommodate any aircraft of different sizes. Still, in some cases, function constraints can be a major issue for the crew to solve during landing and takeoff. Maneuvering large aircraft within confined indoor spaces requires precision and careful coordination to avoid collisions with hangar structures or other parked aircraft. The limited space also implies the restricted area and the curb radius is smaller for aircraft, the flight path down small corners and narrow lanes becomes difficult to maneuver. One of the best ways to safely maneuver aircraft inside limited space is using remote control aircraft tug. It is the latest technology device that helps in safely moving aircraft through narrow spaces.
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Height Restrictions
Hangar doors are capable to accommodate the height of aircraft during entry and exit. However, this becomes a problem once the cabin enters the hangar, especially in cases where bigger aircraft or obstructions with mechanical equipment are involved. Ground crew members must remain vigilant to ensure that the aircraft’s vertical clearance is maintained to prevent damage to both the aircraft and the hangar infrastructure.
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Uneven Surfaces
Hangars have a different structure from that of other buildings. Hangar floors are more likely to have uneven surfaces, drainage channels, or other obstacles that can interfere with the smooth flow of aircraft over them. Uneven surfaces pose a risk of causing damage to the aircraft’s landing gear or undercarriage if not navigated carefully. To evaluate whether the hangar floor prevents them from taking risks or not and to find the best route to reach the aircraft without any accidents or damages, ground crew members must inspect the status of the hangar floor. With the help of large airplane tugs, you can easily move your large-sized airplanes over uneven surfaces.
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Limited Visibility:
The interior of a hangar may have limited lighting conditions, obstructed sightlines, or blind spots that affect the visibility of ground crew members while maneuvering aircraft. The visibility reduces the ability to see the obstacles or other aircraft. Most of the time it becomes problematic for determining the distances accurately. Ground crew members must rely on communication, spotters, and visual aids such as ground markings or lights to navigate safely.
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Safety Hazards
Inside hangars, aircraft close-quarters operation, by nature, is related to the inherent safety hazards for the ground crew. Including trips and falls, exposure to hazardous substances, and collisions with moving components or equipment. Hangars are busy environments with multiple activities taking place simultaneously. Increasing the likelihood of accidents if proper safety protocols are not followed. The ground staff is obliged to undergo in-depth training on the terminal’s safety requirements. As well as to wear full fire & spillage suits to reduce possible damages.
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Aircraft Weight and Size
Aircraft come in various sizes and configurations, each presenting unique challenges for ground crew members when moving them inside hangars. Bigger-sized aircraft need more space for maneuvering and takeoff requirements, while the maneuverability of the smaller ones may be at the expense of the risks involved in handling the aircraft if not done properly. Additionally, the weight of the aircraft must be carefully distributed to prevent overloading of hangar floors or equipment during movement. With the help of new technology airplane tugs, you can easily move any size of aircraft.
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Weather Conditions
Climate conditions play a major role in the motion of planes inside the hangars. Adverse weather conditions like rain and thunderstorms can make things worse. Hangar doors may need to be closed quickly to protect aircraft from adverse weather conditions. Thus, requiring ground crew members to expedite the movement process while ensuring safety. In altered atmospheric conditions, such as high temperatures or humidity, flight systems can be compromised. So before moving indoors, other cautionary measures are necessary.
Final Words
Guiding aircraft in and out of hangars introduces plenty of both physical and communication problems to the ground crew members. Working in a tight space and around high objects, problems related to handling safety, and talking to each other. However, with proper training, planning, and adherence to safety protocols, these challenges can be overcome. Thus, aircraft can be maneuvered safely and efficiently within indoor environments. Ground crews are the ones to deal with the day-to-day operations and they are also the ones who control the aircraft safety and integrity. It is therefore paramount for airports to identify ground crew problems and solve them appropriately. This will ensure smooth hangar operations and safe airplanes and persons.
Wilson noted that the costs associated with constructing sustainable hangars are generally more than standard structures. Therefore, it offers lower returns on investment, because customers will weigh whether they are concerned enough about sustainability. To want to pay more to house their aircraft in an environmentally friendly hangar.
