How Autonomous Technology is Transforming GSE Operations

GSE Operations

Believe it or not, Ground Support Equipment, what the aviation industry calls GSE, can be said to have been born during the very first successful flight of an airplane by Orville Wright in 1902.

Orville’s brother, Wilbur, was on the ground, providing a variety of ground support functions. In fact, the famous Wright Brothers used the first ever piece of avionics GSE – a Ground Power Unit or GPU.

As the science of aviation advanced, it wasn’t long before larger and more powerful aircraft required a variety of ground support equipment for various functions. One of the most helpful GSE tools was the invention of a specialized small tractor that could pull stuff around the air base grounds to carry items to be loaded into airplanes.

Fast forward to today, and GSE has become complex and integral to the fundamental operation of everything from an international airport to a private Fixed Base Operation (FBO). Companies that manufacture and supply GSE are now an industry unto itself. That includes firms that deal in GSE rentals.

The next Evolutionary Stage of GSE Has Arrived

Up until recent years, FSE has meant all kinds of machines and devices that people mostly operate. Take, for example, that guy or gal at the airport you see driving one of those long carts that carry luggage to an airplane.

Here is a partial list of GSE types of equipment used in aviation operations:

  • Pushback tractors.
  • Belt Loaders
  • Luggage Tugs
  • Container loaders
  • Portable water trucks
  • Baggage Carts
  • Lavatory trucks
  • Gangways
  • Service stairs
  • Wheel chocks
  • Cargo dollies
  • GPUs (Ground Power Units)
  • Tail tripods
  • Aircraft Axle Jacks

… and much more.

But like all industries, automation has been infiltrating dozens of tasks and processes. Many of the items listed above are now being automated. This makes it possible to use less human labor while also increasing the speed, safety and efficiency of the basic but integral jobs of running an airline terminal.

Transformative

An array of mechanical automation and computer-assisted innovations are rapidly transforming GSE. This includes robotics, AI, machine learning, data analytics and self-driving electronic vehicles.

Let’s look at some examples:

a. Baggage Screening

Travelers take for granted the way thousands of luggage units get processed through an airport system –- that is until something goes wrong. Then a lot of people notice!

Just one aspect of baggage handling is screening each unit of luggage. Well, autonomous cart systems can dramatically increase the efficiency of the process by relieving live Transport Security Officers of this task. Using predetermined routes, an automated cart can “flag” a bag and divert it from a conveyor belt to an inspection station. It can then transfer the bag to another conveyor after screening is done.

b. Robot Carts for Ground Handling

Several firms now offer fleets of robotic vehicles that leverage AI to deliver luggage and bags throughout the airport grounds. A computer server supervises them. These carts are “omnidirectional” and fitted with anti-collision systems. They run on electric power, which reduces power consumption by 70%.

Increased Availability Across the Industry

The examples above may apply more to large international airports in major hubs, but the aviation industry is a multi-layered system that encompasses a wide variety of operators, from small community airports, private airports, corporate flight operations and FBOs (Fixed Base Operations).

The latter may specialize in handling specific aviation industry sectors, such as agricultural crop sprayers, emergency rescue operations, private jet charter companies, police units and others.

To service these many players, many firms specialize in providing GSE for a variety of needs. That includes providers of GSE rentals, maintenance, parts and all manners of supplies.

Aviation and Automation Go Hand-in-Hand

Not only are ground operations swiftly being transformed by automation and AI-enhanced software & robotics, but the time is also not far off when major jetliners are flown without human pilots. Experts say that fully automated, “self-flying” airplanes are a certain part of the near future.

Until that happens, automation will continue to streamline and increase the efficiency of the aviation industry as a whole.

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