march2023 - 42

Ground Support Spotlight
Spotlight on:
Dan Boucher
BY JOSH SMITH
Ground Support Worldwide: What
attracted you to a career in the ground
support industry?
Dan Boucher: I have been an aviation
enthusiast my entire life and always
enjoyed being around aviation. After
receiving my private pilot certificate, I
thought aviation would just be a hobby.
In 2012, PCS, which specializes in
powertrain development, identified
an opportunity to bring some of our
powertrain technology to the industry.
This was my first glimpse into ground
support equipment at major airports for
the large carriers. This was a perfect fit as
it combined my passion for engineering
and aviation.
GSW: What has kept you engaged in
the industry?
DB: There are two components that have
kept me engaged in the industry. The
first is the amazing technology evolution
that is happening in the transportation
industry. This includes obviously battery
electric vehicles, but also hydrogenbased
systems and autonomous vehicles.
This technology has the potential to
make the ramp safer, more efficient and
sustainable. The second component
is the people of GSE. The greatest
technology in the world doesn't work
in GSE if the operators don't have the
desire and dedication throughout their
organization, from leaders to team
members on the ramp, to be open to
understanding the new technology and
how it can help their operation.
GSW: How have you seen the ground
support industry change the most
during your career?
DB: The entire world is changing right
now as propulsion systems besides
internal combustion are becoming more
prevalent. There has been electric GSE
for decades, but there were some pieces
of equipment on the ramp that were
better served with internal combustion
from an engineering point of view,
42 || Ground Support Worldwide || March 2023
including battery or energy requirements.
With all major automotive OEMs investing
billions of dollars in battery and drive
unit technology, I believe there are now
commercially viable electric propulsion
solutions for all GSE on the ramp.
GSW: Has this been to the benefit or
detriment of the industry?
DB: Long term, this change to advanced
powertrain technology is a benefit to
the industry. Short term, this is going
to require additional effort to transition
to this new technology, including new
diagnostic equipment, development of
new maintenance procedures, compatible
charging infrastructure and more.
GSW: What's the next big thing coming
to the ground support industry?
DB: In terms of equipment and operation,
the next big thing will be how autonomous
ground support equipment can be
worked into the airport environment. The
technology has existed for years and
there are numerous reports of airlines
evaluating this equipment. The key with
implementing any new technology is how
to get measurable benefits, especially
financial benefits. This reminds me a little
bit of when telemetry entered the industry.
Everyone wanted it and it provided some
nice-to-have data points, but for the
business case for the operators to make
sense, it took a very specific, custom
GSE-tailored approach. The engineering
exists for autonomous vehicles on the
ramp, but it's how they are integrated
into the operation that will determine the
adoption rate.
In terms of the next big thing coming to
aviation that will require a major change
to the landscape of the ground support
industry, it will be the introduction of
electric vertical takeoff and landing
aircraft, or eVTOLs. With major airlines
investing millions of dollars in stakes
of eVTOL startups, the needs from
the ground support side must evolve.
Job Title: President
Company: Powertrain Control
Solutions (PCS)
Location: Ashland, VA
Years of Experience in
Ground Support: 10 years
Years with Current Company: 19 years
Industry committees, associations,
working groups served on:
SAE AGE-3 Liaison from 2016 to present.
Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the
IATA GSEE Technical Group for the
2017-2019 term.
The aircraft are very different and the
supporting GSE will look different.
GSW: What would you say to
encourage someone to join the ground
support industry?
DB: The ground support industry is an
exciting industry that combines multiple
disciplines of engineering with global
travel and experiences. The people
within the ground support community
also make this industry a great place to
work for an entire career. As I compare
the ground support industry to other
industries that I have worked in, one thing
that always stands out is once someone
enters the ground support industry,
they often spend the rest of their career
within the industry. This is a great sign
that this industry provides numerous
opportunities for professional growth over
many years.
This interview was edited for length.
To read the full interview, visit
AviationPros.com/21295663
http://www.AviationPros.com/21295663
march2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of march2023
