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If working on the ramp is your life – or at least your work life – attending the annual premier ground equipment show in Las Vegas is a must.   Last week’s show once again demonstrated to me the importance of attending.  Not only can you learn about the latest technology and equipment, but the opportunity to discuss these with manufacturers’ representatives is invaluable.  They really do know their equipment and can help you make informed decisions about what to buy.  I have found that they are at least as interested in providing technical data, as making sales.

One of the highlights for me included the latest in deicing equipment technology.  I spent years deicing aircraft the old-fashioned way.  Today’s equipment with high flow systems and articulated booms is a world apart from the garden hose systems we used to use.  And the new trucks give you much better visibility to allow you to work close enough to the aircraft – but not so close as to cause damage to it.  Most importantly, the new equipment allows the operator to better cover the airplane.  And the high flow makes the job faster. 

Deicing is such a critical function that anything that makes the job easier and faster makes it more likely that the airplane will be properly deiced.  In my career as an accident investigator, I have seen on too many occasions the tragic results of an improperly deiced aircraft.