Go Toolless with the Universal Deployable Platform

JETechnology Solutions, Inc. (JSI) offers a diverse, customizable and OSHA-compliant range of maintenance stands fitted to each MRO operation’s unique needs. The Universal Deployable Platform is a toolless, lightweight maintenance stand designed to be customizable and compatible with many different operations and aircraft.

The Universal Deployable Platform is constructed using a series of pins, eliminating the need for tools or other equipment for construction. Mitchell Hamilton, business development manager for JSI, said this technology cuts down on the time-consuming process of erecting the maintenance stand.

“It is the first time we are creating this type of stand,” Hamilton said, noting JSI has made maintenance stands with toolless handrails in the past, but never a completely toolless option. “It makes it a quick and easy put-together stand versus taking several hours to put it together because you’re putting the nuts and bolts on and tightening it. It allows it to be a quick fix.”

“You do not need tools to take off the staircase, you do not need tools to take off the handrails, the guardrails, all that kind of stuff. It is just quick pins. You can just pull it out and take it move it, put it in another spot and call it a day,” Hamilton continued.

The maintenance stand is made of aluminum, making it a lightweight product that does not take much man-power to move. The Universal Deployable Platform also has up to 1,000 pounds of load capacity. “It’s all aluminum. It’s a lightweight modular system. It probably only needs — to be moved — one to two people at the most. It’s going to be very lightweight high-strength aluminum.”

The Universal Deployable Platform has a staircase that can be moved in multiple directions, making it versatile enough to work with a range of aircraft. “It’s got a staircase and it’s got a stand but you have the ability to move the staircase in whatever direction and whatever placement you need depending on that particular job,” Hamilton said.

The maintenance platform was designed for an undisclosed military operation, but all of JSI’s maintenance stands are fully customizable depending on needs. 

The platform, which will be delivered for the first time on Feb. 17, will be used on military vehicles, “like large missile-vehicles, big tanks, things like that,” Hamilton said, noting that the product can also be customized for use by non-military customers.

“Every stand design is different per customer,” Hamilton said. “Most customers we come in contact with would like a mobile stand that can be used many ways. You can use [the Universal Deployable Platform] anywhere in the United States. It is not really meant for any particular type of aircraft. This particular stand is going to be used for vehicles. It is designed to work on any aircraft but it is designed for anything. It is a platform to allow people to get to a certain point on the aircraft to do their job,” Hamilton continued. 

The maintenance stand uses manual height adjustment, but it can feature powered height adjustment, if required by the customer. “These things are height adjustable so we’re able to adjust the heights using any type of jack. They can be either manual or powered-type jacks. This particular one is going to be manual height adjustment, so you have to manually pump it up but it’s only going to pump about twelve inches,” Hamilton said.

Customers can also add customized equipment to their stand. “You have the ability to put whatever on these stands,” Hamilton said, citing that customers have installed big-screen televisions in the past.

Hamilton said a customized maintenance stand is preferable to other options because sometimes non-customizable stands do not meet the needs of the operation. “No customer is the same, they are always different on what they need,” Hamilton said. “When we customize, typically our process is we do a site visit, we do our measurements, we talk to the personnel out on the job sites or out on the flight line and try to get their needs and what works for them.”

The JSI team talks to the maintenance personnel directly to see if they need certain toolboxes, pneumatics, electrical or lighting, depending on that particular phase of maintenance. “We will take all that information and design a product that will fit their needs,” Hamilton said. “It is not just, ‘hey, here’s a stand, do your work.’ So, that is how we kind of gear our stands and how we create the ability to test and design these stands for that particular customer.”

“If I want to stress anything, it is all about meeting the needs of the customer. Whatever the customer wants, we can provide. Every product of ours is always going to be different, but it meets the needs of the customer,” Hamilton said.

The stands go through rigorous testing before they are delivered to the client and JSI offers a one-year warranty on all their products. Each stand comes with an operation and maintenance manual specific to the custom equipment. The manual details how to safely assemble and operate the stand, as well as any maintenance needed to keep the stand operable. JSI offers additional documentation concerning safety specifications if needed.

JSI will set up the equipment and offer onsite training at the customer’s request. JSI representatives will teach the maintenance team best practices for operating the equipment as well as give tips for storage and disassembly.

Hamilton offers advice for keeping the stand in good working condition. “Always visually inspect stands prior to usage for excessive wear of components, ensure all mounting brackets and bolts are tight, and firmly move staircases back and forth to test attachment and integrity. Apply grease as needed.”