The first aircraft ground handling was performed when the first aircraft was flown by the Wright

brothers in 1903.

Click on this symbol to watch the video. Observe how they handled the aircraft in order to assist the pilot for

the flight.

History

When we hear the words "Aircraft Ground
Handling", we think of the busy ramp
environment with heavy machinery, and
advanced technology crowding the aircraft. In
the early days of aviation, these ground handling
equipment were as primitive as the materials
used in the construction of the aircraft.
As the need for ground handling is parallel to
the needs of the aircraft, and its passengers, its
evolution was always in the pursuit of
improvement of services that air operators
wanted, and the subsequent requirement on
the new design of the aircraft.
One good example to support the fact is that
during the early days of aviation, Ground Power
Unit (GPU) and Air Conditioning Unit (ACU) were
nonexistent as there was no need to provide
electricity and air conditioning to an aircraft that
was not designed to receive and use such
outputs.
As the technology required to develop a more
advanced aircraft design became available, the
need to provide electricity and air conditioning
to passengers aboard the aircraft while it was
on the tarmac became evident. The need for a
piece of equipment that would be compatible
with the design of the aircraft resulted in
inventors and engineers developing solutions
that would address the different needs of the
aircraft and its passengers while it was on the
ground.
Addressing these “Needs'' by providing
“Solutions'' now became the face of modern
aircraft ground servicing. This “Servicing”
continues to evolve and must quickly adapt to
what the current times require. During the
COVID-19 crisis, ground handling companies
needed to develop new services to address the
concern of eliminating potential virus
contamination in the aircraft to protect
passengers and crew.

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Timeline Importance

Evolution of Aircraft "Aircraft Ground Handling" means a

combination of services at the ramp to prepare
Ground Handling the aircraft before flight or conclude the aircraft
after flight. Performing proper and adequate

1903 ground servicing ensures that the aircraft is safe

to fly.
Use of men to
pushback first aircraft Ground handling ensures servicing or
into flight provisioning of the following:

Fuel - It is important to ensure that the fuel

1914
quantity on board the aircraft is sufficient to
sustain the planned flight and comply with
Manual conduct of Civil Aviation Regulation for reserved fuel in
ground handling by case of diversion and emergency.
Tampa Airboat Line
Lavatory Waste - The draining of lavatory
waste allows passengers to continuously use
the lavatory system without any concern of
1945 overflowing.

GSE OEM growth due

Potable Water - The replenishment of
to military to passenger
potable water allows continuous operation of
aircraft conversion
faucets that are located on the lavatory
washbasin and the galley.

1980 Air Conditioning Unit - The provision of

conditioned air improves passenger comfort
Towbarless tractor while the aircraft is on the ground as the
introduction due to engine cannot be started to supply
UAV development conditioned air due to safety/cost savings.

Ground Power Unit - The provision of

2020
Built-in UV disinfectant
light introduction in the
aircraft cabin
Men were the first to pushback the first aircraft
when Wilbur and Orville Wright took their first
maiden flight. After a decade, the first scheduled
airliner took off from waters using manual
embarkation of passengers. Military aircraft were
converted to passenger airlines and GSE
manufacturers grew after World War II. Beyond
millennium, towbarless tractor were introduced and
Ultraviolet disinfectant light installed in the
passenger cabin of an aircraft became a reality.
AC/DC electricity to the aircraft ensures
continuous operation of the different systems
whenever the engine or the APU is not
operating to generate electricity.
Air Start Unit - This equipment aids the
starting of the aircraft’s engine by supplying
compressed air towards the compressor
section of the engine.
Pushback and Towing - This ground
handling activity allows the safe maneuvering
of the aircraft while on the ground especially
during pushback, repositioning, and towing.
Anti-Icing / De-Icing - This activity prevents
and/or removes ice buildup on the aircraft
especially on the wings which can affect the
airflow and lift generation.

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 Passenger Stair Truck - This equipment
allows embarkation and disembarkation of
passengers and crew whenever the aircraft is
parked on remote bay locations where air
bridges are not available.
Cargo Loading Equipment - This
equipment allows proper loading and
unloading of either bulk or palletized
cargo.

Personnel Required During Aircraft Ground Handling

Aircraft handling requires the coordinated Equipment Operator - The operator of each
execution of interrelated tasks by highly skilled piece of equipment specializes and
aviation personnel to ensure safety and timely familiarizes himself with the operation of each
departure for the next flight. machinery especially its function related to
the servicing of the aircraft.
Air carriers whose business includes aircraft
ground handling require the professional
services of the following highly qualified
individuals:

Tow Tug Operator- This highly skilled

personnel is responsible for maneuvering the
aircraft while it is on the ground. The operator
controls the steering and speed of movement
by connecting the tow tug through a towbar
or by utilizing a towbarless tug.

Line Maintenance Engineer- This highly

skilled personnel inspects the aircraft and
performs maintenance activities required to
ensure airworthiness.

"Aircraft handling requires the coordinated execution of interrelated tasks by

highly skilled aviation personnel. "

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 Marshaller- The Marshaller guides and
directs the aircraft’s flight crew towards the
apron or remote parking area by using
internationally accepted marshalling signals
as a means of communication. This personnel
also safely directs any aircraft, ground vehicle,
and/or equipment entering the aircraft’s circle
of safety.

"The goal is to ensure the safety of

the aircraft and its on-time
departure for the next flight."

Ramp Agent- This personnel organizes and

ensures that all the servicing required on the
aircraft is accomplished within the prescribed
time frame.

"It requires professional service of

highly skilled people."

© Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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