Tag: USA

Rampmaster delivers electric refuelling truck to Signature Aviation

Electric_Vehicle_fueling_on_airport_in_Vail resizedRampmaster has delivered the first zero emission all-electric jet refuelling truck in the US to Signature Aviation.

The refuelling truck is being used at Signature Aviation’s Vail location at Eagle County Regional Airport in Colorado and the 5,000 gallon unit will be integrated into operations where Rampmaster’s diesel units have been in service for several years.

The electric refuelling truck replaces the diesel engine with an electric motor and hydraulic pump powered by lithium batteries.

Leighton Yohannan, CEO of Rampmaster, said: “The partnership with Signature Aviation was strategic in developing our Electric Vehicle (EV) Refueller. It has the only EV chassis, to date worldwide, that meets all aviation industry mandates while also establishing safety standards on airport.”

The electric model offers lithium technology and an encased battery with four feet separation from the electric system to the fuelling pump and tank for safety.

The Battle Motors/BorgWarner Cascadia motion motor and EV chassis meet airport axel weight and aviation requirements.

It offers full battery DC fast charges in less than two hours, which will power eight hours of total pump refuelling run time.

The elongated refueller lifespan is 20 years with 1% degradation a year compared to 10 years of most other designs.

Maintenance is lower than diesel engines and it offers significant fuel savings combined with lower emissions.

The design includes a roof-mounted battery chiller and blanket heater for extreme hot and cold temperatures, which monitors temperature and load for optimal battery utilisation while maintaining the battery temperature of 76F.

The electric refueller has a system similar to the Electric Management System on diesel-powered units, which monitors engine RPMs and PSI, with the electric version slowing motor revolutions for efficiency and improved charging time while saving motor wear and electric utilisation.

The Battle Motor Digital Dash has easy to read actionable data, diagnosis and service manuals, and telematics monitor the chassis and transmits data every three seconds.

Mobileye 8 Connect is standard for all Rampmaster vehicles to prevent and mitigate collisions.

Brad Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Signature Aviation, said: “The introduction of the aviation industry’s first zero emissions electric jet refueller is another transformative step towards our net-zero goals using our innovation test bed at Signature Vail.

“Our collaboration with Rampmaster exemplifies how we’re working with our partners and guests to research, invest, and bring to market innovative technologies to help create a more sustainable future in aviation.”

Mallaghan launches SkyBelt belt loader

Mallaghan SkyBelt resizedMallaghan has launched the SkyBelt belt loader, providing airlines with safer, more efficient and sustainable ground handling solutions.

The Mallaghan SkyBelt, which will be manufactured at its factories in Dungannon, Northern Ireland and Atlanta, Georgia is fitted with a patented lifting system and an array of advanced sensor systems to reduce the risk of accidental damage to aircraft.

Its lifting system allows for vertical boom movement without unintended lateral/transverse movement, which risks fuselage damage and adds unnecessary difficulty to the operational procedure.

The auto-raise function prevents contact with the aircraft during loading and unloading and its automatic height adjustment system allows for automated boom movement and tracking to the aircraft bin door level as the aircraft height changes during unloading.

The electric belt loader offers extended run hours, remote diagnostic capabilities and Mallaghan’s engineering team have coupled a fully electrified propulsion system with powerful lithium-ion batteries.

Joe Griffith, Chief Commercial Officer of Mallaghan, said: “Our innovative SkyBelt will deliver several key benefits to customers, including reducing instances of aircraft damage, savings in on-going maintenance costs, and most significantly, enhancing their sustainability credentials at a time when the industry is putting a collective focus on responsible business.”

He added that the SkyBelt is expected to be popular in the US aviation industry with units being deployed at major airports including Seattle-Tacoma, Los Angeles and New York LaGuardia.

The SkyBelt has a modular robust chassis design and an AC traction motor with integrated electric park brake coupled to the rear axle differential.

Customers can choose additional features including a Collision Avoidance System, collapsible/fixed handrails and package rails, and more.

OSHKOSH acquisition brings huge opportunities for JBT AeroTech

AmpCart cropped resizedPresidents of JBT AeroTech and OSHKOSH, Vocational chose the International GSE Expo to exclusively chat to journalists about the recent acquisition and the growth plans for the future.

The OSHKOSH $820 million acquisition of JBT AeroTech was successfully completed on 1 August, following the strategic decision announced last year by JBT’s CEO, Brian Deck to separate JBT’s FoodTech and AeroTech business.

OSHKOSH Corporation is a Fortune 500 company US-based industrial technology company, one of the world’s largest manufacturer of fire trucks that comes under its vocational business segment which JBT AeroTech now joins.

Jim Johnson, OSHKOSH Corporation Executive Vice President and President, Vocational, said: ”We made the acquisition because we think JBT AeroTech is a fantastic company, primarily the people and equipment that you see here today but also this is a growing market. The airport infrastructure spending project happening today and the projected growth over the next decade correlates with increased projected passenger traffic, so we’re excited because we purchased a great company in a growing market.”

David Burdakin, President of JBT AeroTech told the press: “We couldn’t be more excited. Just like JBT AeroTech, OSHKOSH designs and builds products for maximum reliability. But it’s more than just the products, the most important thing is the culture, and we have very similar values that are people oriented. One of the key OSHKOSH values is people first and that’s a great foundation and great culture, and we’re already experiencing that benefit.”

JBT AeroTech now has access to a much larger supply chain. “Our buying clout has gone up five times, so it makes large suppliers more interested or more important to our suppliers. It also opens up the door to new suppliers, which is really important right now, as we continue to ramp up to record production,” said Burdakin.

Also on growth opportunities he added: “We’re looking at growth, not just through new products and product technology, but also potentially through acquisitions.”

Other positive synergies to come out of the acquisition centre around the R&D capabilities of both companies with OSHKOSH working on the same technologies as JBT AeroTech in the areas of electrification, sustainability and automation.

One of the innovative solutions on display at the Expo is the new Ampcart towable charging platform which has been designed to help overcome charging infrastructure challenges at airports.

It provides electrical power to stations or parts of the airport where there is no charging infrastructure and allows them to switch their GSE from diesel to electric.

Other exciting technologies Burdakin mentions are JetDock and AmpTeck, a load sharing technology, with 7 already in production. It draws power off of a passenger boarding bridge when it’s not in use thanks to its smart technology, allowing efficient eGSE charging without costly infrastructure and grid upgrades.

“When there is no aircraft at the gate, you can utilize that power for charging stations or the passenger boarding bridge without any additional infrastructure feeding into the airport,” explained Burdakin.

Other technologies and GSE at the Expo included the Ranger Electric Cargo Loader and B250 Electric Pushback Tractor and the Tempest-i Deicer as well as LEKTRO tow vehicles and more.

Chuck Durst, President – Ground Support Equipment, JBT AeroTech, said: “Our presence at the International GSE Expo is about more than just showcasing products. It’s about focusing on the future needs of the aviation industry and sharing our vision for sustainable, efficient and reliable ground operations. Our featured equipment and advanced technology are designed to revolutionise ground support equipment and services and the demands of this industry for many years to come.”

Sage Parts opens global headquarters in Greenville

Sage Parts opens global headquarters in Greenville resized Sage Parts has opened its new global headquarters and distribution operations in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Greenville County facility accommodates distribution operations and houses its new global headquarters including the leadership team, purchasing, finance, customer service, HR, product management and other support departments.

The 103,049 square foot leased building is Sage Parts’ first facility in South Carolina and the $1.7 million investment will create 73 new jobs.

Christopher Pratt, President and CEO of Sage Parts, said: “Sage Parts is very excited to open this new state-of-the-art facility to service our global customer base. After an exhaustive national search, we landed in Greenville County, S.C., for its business-friendly environment, expanding and talented workforce, and high quality of life for our employees.”

Memphis opens Consolidated De-Icing Facility

Memphis airport FedEx deicing facility opening resized Memphis International Airport’s Consolidated De-Icing Facility was opened on Tuesday 29 November, providing a centralised location to perform deicing operations.

The facility has opened in time for the holiday season, consisting of 3.3 million square feet of de-icing pads, which is large enough to de-ice 12 widebody cargo aircraft simultaneously.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contributed $174 million to the project and Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority paid $135 million for the facility at the home of FedEx Express’ largest air cargo sorting facility.

With the de-icing pads, message boards eliminate the need for audio communication with pilots, taxiway lead-in lights mean follow-me vehicles or marshallers are not needed and infrared cameras help position aircraft in the bays.

The pads offer more environmentally friendly de-icing procedures with aircraft not being de-iced at the gate, allowing them to depart sooner, reducing the need to be de-iced again.

They have a segregated drainage system and large-volume containers to collect de-icing fluid.

The fluid’s release is metered into the sanitary sewer system, where it breaks down and helps sanitise city wastewater.

The opening ceremony was attended by guests including US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, FAA Deputy Administrator A. Bradley Mims, Congressman Steve Cohen, City of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, MSCAA Board Chairman Michael Keeney, and Memphis International Airport President and CEO Scott Brockman.

Buttigieg says, “This holiday season and every season, it’s critical that American families and businesses get the goods they need when they need them. Memphis International Airport is the biggest cargo airport in the country, and this innovative aircraft de-icing facility is one of the many ways we’re modernizing America’s supply chains.”

Richard Smith, President and CEO of FedEx Express adds, “The timing could not be better as FedEx enters the busy holiday season. This facility is a shining example of how we can help ensure our team members are safely operating throughout the winter season as we deliver outstanding service for our customers.”

dnata achieves ISAGO accreditation at JFK

dnata USA ISAGO at New York JFK resized

dnata USA has been awarded IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) Accreditation at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport.

The ISAGO audit programme covers areas of organisation and management, load control, passenger and baggage handling, aircraft handling and loading and aircraft ground movement.

Benefits to airlines, ground handlers and authorities include safer ground operations, fewer accidents, elimination of redundant audits, reduced costs, a uniform audit process and harmonised standards, among other benefits.

David Barker, Divisional Senior Vice President for Airport Operations at dnata says: “We consistently invest in training, equipment and industry-leading technologies to deliver world-class safety for our staff, partners and their customers. The achievement of the ISAGO accreditation is a remarkable milestone which demonstrates our relentless commitment to safety and service excellence.”