Ground Support Equipment in the 21st Century

While it is arguable that Ground Support Equipment (GSE) may not be the most exciting area of aerospace activity, it is critical in achieving successful aircraft operations in both the civil and military spheres. While individual experiences of in-service GSE may provide relevant points of interest, a wider view of the changing backdrop for the acquisition of this generic range of equipment is more appropriate in the context of this volume. "Ground Support Equipment in the 21st Century" is an important collection of papers, which will explore the key topical issues concerning the future of GSE in the 21st century. This publication is an influential forum for all those involved in the industry, and the Ministry of Defence has chosen this opportunity to inform industry of their policies for the future. The following topics are addressed: the future of ground support equipment; UK experience of ramp safety and health; manufacturer's experience of COTS ground support equipment - a case study; Airbus A3XX - a crash-fire-rescue equipment supplier's perspective; and aircraft de-icing - future issues. "Ground Support Equipment in the 21st Century" should be of value to those who work in both civil and military areas, and are concerned with the ever-increasing requirement to provide fully developed products at a minimum cost to the customer.