The primary function of ground support equipment is to support on-ground operations between flights when the aircraft is parked at the gate, in a hangar, or in a remote location. GSE is frequently used to maintain both commercial and military aircraft, with ground power units (GPUs) being the most well-known equipment used.
Aircraft function independently during flights, however after landing, GSE is required to service, maintain, and prepare the aircraft for the next trip.
Maintaining a short turnaround time, or the time the aircraft spends on the ground, requires great efficiency. To ensure safe and timely ground operations, HSM Aviation provide a great range of ground support equipment for aircraft, with some of our most popular equipment including:
- Start Power Units
- Frequency Converters
- Aircraft Tugs
We also offer cables, connectors, load banks, and much more.
Why is Ground Support Equipment Needed?
GSE is essential for carrying out operations on the ground.
Ground support equipment that is efficient and dependable is essential for ensuring quick turnarounds and on-time departures, thereby reducing delays, costs, and discomfort for passengers.
GSE is required to complete a turnaround – you cannot complete a turnaround without it. A great example of this is aircraft tugs, as they are required to move the aircraft away from the gate.
How Long Will the Equipment Last?
The life cycle of our ground support equipment is governed by a variety of elements, including installation, environment, usage, maintenance, and general design.
Solid state GPUs, for example, have less moving parts than rotating ground power units, resulting in less wear on components. This, subsequently, results in the equipment lasting for a longer period of time.
When it Comes to GPU, the Right Power is Vital
As mentioned earlier, ground power units are the most popular type of ground support equipment offered by HSM Aviation, alongside aircraft tugs.
It may sound obvious, but purchasing a ground power unit with the right level of power for your aircraft is essential. If you are looking to power a general aviation or small aircraft, you will most likely be looking for a 12-volt or 24-volt sytem, which require 14-volt DC or 28-volt DC power generation. However, for large jets you will be looking at purchasing a GPU in the 400 Hz range, which means that a DC system will not provide enough power for these larger aircrafts.
Of course, if you are not exactly sure what ground power unit you require, feel free to contact us and we will happily inform you what GPU would be best for your aircraft’s specific requirements.
Buying Second-Hand May Be More Costly!
Let’s be honest, purchasing the right ground support equipment for aircraft does not come cheap, whilst the upkeep of GSE is also quite costly. As a result, many people are tempted to buy a used GPU rather than a new one and, unfortunately, this tends to end up costing far more in the long run. Why? Well, an aviation GPU is a sophisticated thing, and if the used machine you bought becomes cantankerous and requires repair, you will most likely wind up paying more on restoring the machine than you would have paid for a brand new unit that is still under warranty.
HSM Aviation is a leading provider of GSE and was founded by Elvin Price, who was an avid Pilot.
Elvin was unhappy with the performance of current aircraft tugs on the market. In 1998, he set about designing an aviation tug capable of maneuvering an aircraft within a confined space. The end result was the Lazy Susan® turntable.
All ground power units are manufactured by Red Box Aviation.