Why French lessons could be learnt in Dubai

Posted on 29 April 2010 in Airports

French companies will be out in force at the Airport Show in Dubai in May, bringing innovative solutions to many of the challenges facing ground and materials handling operators at the region's airports.

One company, Deschamps, is ready to help airports prepare for when the worst happens. As the major player in the field of tactical mobility, it offers a global range of equipment and services devoted to the recovery of civil and military aircraft.

The products allow for the quick, safe movement of an aircraft that has left the runway. They cover temporary access ways, recovery cushions, deployment systems, lifting beams to other equipment for towing and tethering.

Deschamps will be showing several types of equipment that are required to move a damaged aircraft quickly and in complete safety.

In order to familiarise users with its products, Deschamps organises training courses at the Aircraft Recovery Training & Competence Centre (ARTCC) at Stansted Airport in the UK where, following theoretical study, trainees handle different items of equipment in real situations.

Another company offering a specialist training opportunity is Acreos, which has developed an innovative instructional solution: a platform for learning to operate machinery through simulation. This single platform can simulate three types of public works equipment; a hydraulic excavator, a dumper truck or articulated wheel loader and two types of lifting equipment; a mobile crane or a tower crane.

The prime aim of the ACREOS simulator is to enable novices to learn the automatisms of machine operation serenely and in complete safety, and thereby acquire the necessary reflexes. The learner sits on an adjustable seat and finds himself immersed in a realistic environment, using controls identical to those found on the real equipment. The simulation is viewed on a large high-definition screen or video projector. A robust but upgradeable chassis and adapted computer, multimedia and electronic racks complete the system. A touch-screen provides a user-friendly interface that requires no particular computing skills.

Language skills are not required to use the ACREOS simulator. All functions are performed via the touch-screen, driven by software specially designed with the user in mind.

Meanwhile, specialist in handling and lifting equipment, Réel, will present its docking and access systems for the maintenance of wide-body jetliners and medium-range airliners at the show.

Qatar Airways has already selected Réel for the handing and maintenance equipment for its Doha-based fleet. This includes two heavy-duty maintenance stations compatible with Airbus and Boeing jetliners, including the A380. Another heavy-duty maintenance station, but compatible with aircraft in the A320 family, will also be delivered. The docking systems will also feature all the light maintenance accesses for the entire fleet.

Software is also on display from the French. XOPS is a software solution for real-time control of mobile equipment in the warehouse and on the ramp. It relies on a tight network of communication between the airlines, the airport operations companies and the ground systems and is made to ensure the right ground system equipment is in place, on time, with no waste.

From a central monitor, XOPS keeps visual control of vehicles and is able to instruct drivers with real-time data such as an aircraft’s late arrival or change of gate or the positioning of ramp handling equipment.

Another French company at the Airport Show is Usimat Sermees which mainly offers     towed equipment. Apart from tow bars, the company designs and manufactures aircraft servicing equipment, trolleys for airport handling and special equipment.

With a concern for reducing CO2 emissions at airports the comapny has equipped its entire range of servicing, toilet waste disposal and drinking water trolleys with electric engines. Fitted with batteries and chargers, they can handle aircraft independently as efficiently as trolleys with combustion engines. It has also developed toilet waste disposal and drinking water trolleys for level-3 aircraft. Their compact stainless steel tanks allow easy close access and the aircraft can be drained by gravity from their low drain outlet.

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