“If you think safety is expensive, try having an accident”

Stellios, Easy Jet

 

 

There is nothing as valuable to airfield operation as safety. It's a question as much about the health and lives of people as it is about money and goodwill. Safegate offers Docking Guidance Systems, Safedock®, and Gate Operating Systems, GOS, together with expertise for a safer and more efficient ground movements, that efficiently prevents costly accidents and incidents at the gate.

 

During the aircraft's docking phase there is always a risk that the pilot will misinterpret information, the aircraft enters the wrong gate, the aircraft is the wrong type for the pre-positioned PBB or the gate is not cleared due to faulty apron tower control. The consequences are not only material costs from damaged aircraft and boarding bridges, but also increased insurance costs, liability costs and lost revenue due to delayed flights.

 

Misinterpretation of information

“A flight from Miami approached a stand using an Agnis system. He was waiting for a light to turn red when to stop, but it didn’t. 15,75 meters after the stop position he stopped the aircraft. At that time the aircraft had made contact with a ground vehicle, moving it 2 meters from its original position”.

Report number: EW/G99/10/09

 

Frequently the pilots misunderstand the given information, resulting in stop short or roll over causing damage to the PBB, engine or wing and/or inability to dock the PBB

 

• Equal information to both pilots
• Uniformity, 75% of world market, 2,000 units on all 5 continents
• Clear high intensity LED, self explained display presenting the most relevant information in front of the pilots!

Wrong Aircraft type or subtype

“An Air China flight was approaching the gate, the wrong aircraft sub type had been programmed into the DGS. The pilots didn’t notice and the left engine made contact with the PBB and caused damages both to the aircraft and PBB”.

Report number: C1997:20

 

From time to time, pilots have difficulties finding the proper gate and operators make mistakes regarding aircraft type, which can cause damage to PBB and aircraft engine or wing

 

• Safedock distinguishes between critical type and subtype
• Selection of aircraft type and subtype from Apron Tower prevent wrong aircraft from entering the gate
• Control of Lead In Lights by the Safedock

Positioning of PBB

“An A310 was approaching the gate, although the bridge was in an incorrect position the Docking System was welcoming the Aircraft. The pilot proceeded accordingly and collided with the PBB”.

Report number: EW/C2003/07/09

 

Damage to PBB and aircraft engine and wing

 

If the PBB is in an incorrect position, the Docking Procedure is not allowed to start. When the docking procedure is in progress the PBB can’t be moved.

 

Clearance of gate

“In February this year an Aircraft arrived from Oslo to a Gate with an Agnis docking system. A set of mobile steps had been parked in a proper location but the body of the steps was outside the markings. The left wing of the aircraft made contact with the mobile steps”.

Report number: EW/G2004/02/10

 

This is a rather common accident, which can cause damage to aircraft engine, wing, body, wheels and passengers.

 

A higher degree of automation, i.e. selection of aircraft type from Apron Tower, giving the marshaller the opportunity to concentrate on clearing the gate.

• Automatic selection of Aircraft type
• Automatic Interlock to the PBB
• Automatic pre-positioning of the PBB
• Automatic intensity of SEGS display
• Automatic Aircraft Speed Control
• Automatic verification of Aircraft type
• Automatic selection of centerline

Shortcoming in Apron TWR

“A 777 from Chicago approached the gate but the Agnis hadn’t been switched why the pilot didn’t pull fully forward. He advised ATC. At the same time a 747 was given clearance to be towed off from the adjacent stand. The wings of the aircraft collided”.

Report number: EW/G2003/02/09

 

Damage to both aircraft

 

• Real time information = Real time decisions
• With Block On/Off gathered and monitored centrally the Ground Operators would all have had access to valid information

• Gate blocked
• Flights delayed
• Repair cost of the aircraft and gate
• Increased insurance costs
• Liability cost to airline
• Missed revenue/profit for the airline

Blocked and damaged gates, costs of repairs, flight delays, liabilities and missed revenues can be avoided with a combination of Docking Guidance Systems, Safedock®, and Gate Operating Systems, GOS. The savings are great and immediate.

• No gates blocked
• No delays
• No repairs of aircraft - € 12.500 (FSF)
• No repairs of gates - € 8.500 (ACI)
• Less insurance and liability
• No lost profit

A docking guidance and operating system will cost aprox. € 45.000 to install and will generate at least € 21.000 in yearly savings.