april2022 - 20

Cover Story
Operations may have a sense
of control by keeping GSE
maintenance in house. But it
comes at a cost of managing
and timing these activities.
mechanics. This has resulted in more
operational GSE.
" In one case, a Tug tractor had been
flooded in a rainstorm and had water
in the fuel tank. No one checked for
that, and we were able to get it back
in service quickly even after airport
techs had given up on it. This was likely
related to short staffing, the hiring
of less skilled labor and no available
training of new techs by the manufacturers
in the current environment, "
he says, adding Mercury runs through
a thorough inspection process before
sending out an asset on rent and keeps
accurate maintenance records to
improve uptime.
GSE shops must continually train
on new technologies and keep track of
what is going on with different asset
types. For example, Gendron says assets
such as cargo loaders are complex and
technicians with specific cargo loader
experience are becoming more difficult
to find.
" The key is to measure aptitude of
techs and train them in the right way to
repair and maintain the assets, " he says.
20 || Ground Support Worldwide || April 2022
" We often send techs to training courses
at the manufacturers, however, that
was dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are video trainings and
video tech courses that can be utilized.
The internet is a powerful tool.
" I would say that keeping up to date
and constantly improving your skills
as a maintenance technician either on
your own time or through an employer
is relevant to stay competitive in today's
environment, " Gendron adds.
" Depending on the type of GSE your
operation requires, you may need OEM
direct training and specialty training
on equipment such as deicers, refueling
equipment and some cargo equipment, "
points out Ingle.
" Most OEMs offer virtual training
and since changes in technology are
ever changing, getting the most up-todate
training on techniques, common
problems, and their solutions, while
introducing your staff to new challenges
all build up to a more experienced and
efficient shop, " Manny says.
In addition to initial training, there is
a constant need for training related to
troubleshooting new systems that relate
to emissions control, on-board computers
and electrical systems, Ingle adds.
" It's important to have a strong training
program as well as focus on continued
learning and development, " he says.
Training, particularly recurrent training,
keeps everyone on the same page
and leads to a more knowledgeable staff.
" Continuous learning also keeps
individual drive and ambition at a high
level, " Manny says. " The more training
a mechanic has, the more opportunities
to succeed and improve their careers
is available. We can't stress the importance
of training enough. "
While some technicians may specialize
in hydraulic repair or electrical work,
Vanpoucke says TCR places a focus on
all-around technicians that may specialize
in certain types of equipment.
" We try to organize around families
that are kind of similar and have people
become experts in those machines so
they can troubleshoot in the best possible
way, " he says. " There it's really about
keeping them up to date about the
machines and the new features, etc.
TCR
april2022

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