The Ground Handling Blog

Mototok's blog for Hangar Professionals

Written by Mototok on January 29, 2018 // 1:00 PM

Airplane hangar doors - The ultimate guide

Hangar right choice

Last updated on February 11th 2021.

Unless you have physically dealt with poorly maintained, low quality, or just ‘bad’ hangar doors, it is hard to fully appreciate how little you notice them when they are good. Airplane hangar doors are made in a variety of different configurations, for different reasons. Some configurations are designed for strength, some for ease of use, and even others are made to handle specific environmental features in a given climate. Here’s an overview.

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Written by Mototok on January 24, 2018 // 4:01 PM

What makes a good aircraft maintenance hangar?

maintenance hangar.jpg

Aircraft hangars are as ubiquitous to the aviation community as airplanes and aircraft themselves; if there are aircraft, it is reasonable to expect a hangar is close by. It is assumed a package deal, and for good reason: what would justify the expense of an aircraft without assuring its most fundamental protection from the elements? But housing is far from the sole purpose of a good aircraft hangar; maintenance hangars are a vital piece of the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) chain of events.

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Written by Mototok on December 13, 2017 // 6:06 PM

10 Aerospace and Aviation Expos 2018 that you must attend

expo-2018.jpg

Trade shows like aviation expos are the lifeblood of the MRO and aerospace industry (along with just about any other industrial arena). There just is not any better way to convey this truth than to just say it. There are just no better ways and means of getting the word out to the aerospace community, and particularly in showcasing the capabilities of the equipment. These trade shows are also where emerging technology is first debuted. Aeronautical and aviation trade shows are much more prevalent than might be thought, with dozens routinely scheduled over the globe. Here are the top ten that you will not want to miss in 2018.

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Written by Mototok on November 29, 2017 // 4:30 PM

Hangar rash prevention: A step-by-step guide

hangar-rash.jpg

Unlike many pieces of machinery, most notably automobiles, airplanes and aircraft are an investment which generally appreciates over time. Aircraft are also subjected to some of the most harsh and unforgiving environments on earth, from baking in the summer sun to flying thousands of meters in the freezing atmosphere, often times within just minutes of each other. These machines are engineered to endure such extremes and do so very well; what they are not designed to endure are the dents and dings which are commonplace to ground movement, or “hangar rash”.

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Written by Mototok on November 3, 2017 // 4:45 PM

Airplane hangar costs: the real prices to buy, build or rent

rent-buy-hangar.jpg
Airplanes are generally one of the most expensive assets an individual owns, and are also somewhat of an oddity: while very strong and durable in flight, they are downright fragile on the ground. A corporate aircraft which careens through known icing and turbulence in flight without any issue can be completely destroyed on the ground due to gusting wind. Rain and ultraviolet rays take a toll on aircraft, causing serious damage to the aircraft if left in the elements. But what are the options available to hangar an aircraft, and what are the actual costs of an airplane hangar?

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Written by Mototok on September 29, 2017 // 4:58 PM

Remotely controlled aircraft tugs: future of ground handling

remotely controlled Aircraft Tug

The world of aircraft tugs has changed very little over the past several decades, with tugs remaining essentially unphased by advances in technology. Gasoline engines have largely given way to diesel power, but beyond that aircraft tugs are virtually unchanged since the mid-20th century.

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Written by Mototok on September 14, 2017 // 4:15 PM

What you need to know about hangar insurance

Hangar Insurance

Aircraft hangar insurance is not a topic that usually clogs up web browser tabs, or climbs the ranks of Google search metrics. In light of recent natural disasters like hurricane Harvey and Irma, aircraft owners and operators should be cognizant to bring this back to the forefront of their minds.

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Written by Mototok on September 4, 2017 // 5:30 PM

Ramp Safety: Mitigating Hazards on the ramp

rampsafety
Foundational to all successful airside operations is ground and ramp safety. All other metrics relating to success (profitability, sustainability, environmental impact, etc.) are marginalized by even a single incident.  There is no magic bullet to providing a safe workspace for airport ground operations; it requires a disciplined, proactive, and measured approach reinforced aggressively by industry-specific training.

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Written by Mototok on August 22, 2017 // 4:58 PM

How to Buy Used Aircraft Tugs—the Dos and Don’ts

Used Tugs

Purchasing ground support equipment (GSE) for your airport operation is a big financial decision; GSE are high-cost assets to acquire, to maintain, and to operate. However, the cost of entry into GSE is dwarfed by the value of the aircraft which they support. In the sense of context and scale, the importance of purchasing quality GSE is obvious; aircraft are sensitive pieces of equipment with very precise and exacting tolerances.

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Written by Mototok on August 11, 2017 // 4:58 PM

Automated Guided Vehicles and Their Value for Aviation

AGV Mototok

It is very quickly becoming clear to anyone following the tech market trends that autonomous and automated guided vehicles are exploding with exponential growth. Particular to the aviation industry is the Unmanned Aerospace Vehicle (“drone”) market which has absolutely taken the world by storm, far aside the aerospace industry alone.

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