september2022 - 37

With RAD, it is not
necessary to have
anyone in the vehicle
during the deicing
process. However,
the current scenario
is that at least one
manned truck will be
used in combination
with remotely operated
deicers.
precipitation and communicate with the
flight crew.
" A Radio Over Internet Protocol (ROIP)
system is used so the remote operators
are automatically connected to both the
ground/air and ground/ground radios at
the facility where the vehicle is operating, "
he says.
Global Ground Support, which manutelemetry
system. Walsh explains this
allows owners and operators to see
system status, operator performance,
station performance and reliability data
live on any web-enabled device.
Since its inception, Global Ground
Support has made improvements to the
user interface, system components and
data transmission options.
What's more, Global Ground Support,
along with its two primary partners on
the RAD system, completed a Failure
Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
" This involves looking at every single
component, signal, input, etc., and determining
how a failure would impact the
system, " Walsh notes. " An example is a
single camera failure might not require
the system to be deactivated, but a combination
of a camera and an anti-collision
sensor would. "
With RAD, it is not necessary to have
anyone in the vehicle during the deicing
process. However, Walsh notes the current
scenario is that at least one manned
truck will be used in combination with
remotely operated deicers.
The manned vehicle, Walsh explains,
will be responsible for ensuring the
aircraft is completely clear of frozen
factures all the equipment for the patent
pending RAD system, completed its first
season of testing at Denver International
Airport (DEN). The company will perform
further testing during the 2022-23
winter season at multiple operator stations
located across North America.
Although remotely operated vehicles
are new to the aviation industry, it is a
proven technology that has been used
in mining and construction for almost
a decade, according to Walsh. He says
utilizing remote technology can offer
financial, efficiency and sustainability
benefits.
" It has been proven over and over
that the level of proficiency of a deicing
operator has a direct impact on
the time of the process, quantity of
fluid used and possibility of aircraft
damage, " Walsh says. " RAD allows companies
to utilize their best employees,
achieving a much higher level of productivity
while decreasing costs to the
under user - airlines. "
Customers can also invest in options
like Global's Premium Blend, AirPlus
and MIDAS products to reduce the total
glycol required to safely deice aircraft.
When spec'ing a deicing truck, individual
customers must determine which
model and options will work best for
their specific operation. Details like
where the operation is located, the size
of the aircraft being deiced, the number
of operations per day and environmental
restrictions factor into these decisions.
A location with a moderate climate,
like Washington Dulles International
Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C., would
have a hard time justifying internal Type
1 blending or enclosed cabs, according
to Walsh.
" If you are only going to deice a
couple of aircraft a day/week, an open
basket would be the most economical
choice, " he adds.
Walsh also says to get the maximum
service life and reliability from a deicing
unit is to adhere to the recommended
maintenance schedule.
" We have customers that are incredible
at this and have units in operation
that are over 20 years old, " Walsh says.
" Secondarily, following the PM (preventative
maintenance) schedule increases
the long-term value of the unit. "
Presently, Global Ground Support is
only offering RAD on its high-end units,
including trucks that have single-operator,
enclosed cabins and forced air.
However, Walsh explains that RAD was
developed to be added as an option to
any Global Ground Support deicer model.
As RAD technology becomes more
commonplace, Walsh believes it can
drastically affect the way ground handlers
approach deicing requirements.
" Today, a RAD deicing truck can be
used in either the 'remotely operated'
mode or as a one-man or two-man unit, "
Walsh says. " As this technology becomes
more accepted, I envision the enclosed
baskets and chassis driving positions
will eventually be eliminated. This
would allow us to increase the boom
length, reduce the cost of the chassis
and increase the cost-benefit of the
RAD system. "
September 2022 || AviationPros.com || 37
GLOBAL GROUND SUPPORT
GLOBAL GROUND SUPPORT
http://www.AviationPros.com
september2022

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