Reflecting the ground support equipment industry’s quest towards more sustainable ramp operations, leading UK GSE manufacturer, Newbow Aerospace, has launched the first wheel and brake change trailer with onboard solar power.
Initially designed and manufactured for launch customer, Aer Lingus, to enhance the airline’s night-time line maintenance operation, Newbow’s latest XL trailer eliminates the dependency on being hooked up to a tow vehicle for power, thanks to an ultra-thin and flexible roof-mounted solar panel.
Delivering 130W of renewable power, the solar panel provides more than 12 hours of LED lighting on demand with two-way switches located at the trailer door entry points. Engineers can monitor the trailer’s power reserve from a digital display on the integrated solar panel battery charge controller.
Commenting on the introduction of its solar-integrated XL wheel and brake trailer, Marc Green, sales director of Newbow Aerospace, said: “In line with the major advancements happening across the aviation industry to achieve the objectives set out in IATA’s Fly Net Zero pledge, Newbow expects to see a significant rise in demand for greener GSE solutions and we were delighted to produce this new XL trailer for Aer Lingus. The availability of lightweight and flexible solar panels now gives us the scope to develop products which will contribute to more sustainable airport ramp operations.”
