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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0060.PDF
26 FLIGHT Loading Made Easier (Upper left) The "dollies" of the Loadair system described below are seen in position to receive the wheels of the aircraft. (Upper right) The machine is winched sideways until its doors are flush with the loading dock, as seen at lower left. (Lower right) Working on this plan the Loadair system makes possible a saving of SO per cent in ramp handling-time. THE idea of winching aircraft up to a dock for loading pur poses is by no means new, but although investigations of this principle have been going on for nearly ten years it was only recently that the first practical application was successfully demonstrated. A device, known as the Loadair system, deve loped by the Whiting Corporation, was placed in experimental operation about three months ago by the Colombian airline, Avianca, one of the world's biggest freight-carriers. In its brief experience with the Loadair this company is said to have found that it can reduce ramp handling-times by about 50 per cent. Representatives of major airlines, aircraft manufacturers and airports who have visited Soledad Airport, Barranquilla—where the device is installed—have all, according to reports, been impressed by its efficiency. Briefly, the system involves the use of a number of skids run ning on rails set into the taxi-way. The pilot taxies on to these "dollies" as they are called, from a straight approach. When his wheels have rolled on to the dollies, which are only i|in higher than the tarmac, they contact mechanically operated chocks, which index the aircraft directionally and can be elevated as soon as it is in position. The chocks, incidentally, are designed to collapse if excessive loads are induced by fast taxi-ing. By means of push-button control from a central panel the air craft is then winched sideways to the dock, the hauling mechanism being simply a standard crane-hoist or railway-truck winch. An extensive "door-location" study was necessary in order to solve the major problem of relating the height of the dock to that of various aircraft layouts. It was found, however, that in practice there is a remarkable uniformity in the position of the main-cabin doors in all transport aircraft. Compensation systems have, nevertheless, been incorporated in the Loadair to take care of any variations which may be encountered as far as door and aircraft nosewheel locations are concerned. Among the more obvious benefits of the system are the oppor tunity to protect passengers and cargo from the weather by roofed docks leading right up to the aircraft entrance door, the elimination of mobile ramp-equipment and the substitution of fixed facilities for refuelling and servicing the aircraft. Some other advantages, which may not be so readily apparent, are reflected in such items as cost-savings from reduced paving-area requirements—for the Loadair can park three aircraft where only two can be accommodated with conventional methods. It has been estimated also, that from the airline viewpoint considerable savings may be achieved through faster and more efficient loading and servicing of machines. In addition, there is less risk of air craft (particularly the jet-powered variety) being damaged through having to manoeuvre in confined spaces. M.C.A. NEWS-HANDLING E XACTLY five years ago the Ministry of Civil Aviation Infor mation Division was set up under the leadership of Mr. Vincent Alford, M.A. (previously with the B.B.C. Educational Unit). Having served its purpose admirably during the difficult post-war development period, the department starts the New Year with a much-reduced staff. The decision to cut back in this manner was made by Lord Ogmore before the change of Govern ment and, while it may be regretted in some places, the over riding need to make economies in the Ministry provides the main justification. It is also true that the need for a staff of information officers is no longer so great as it was when the Corporations were feeling their way, when much new legislation was being put into force for the first time, and when new civil aircraft were being purchased abroad. In the new streamlined organization Mr. Alford, chief informa tion officer, is assisted by one press officer at London headquarters, another press and P.R. officer at London Airport, and a Scottish divisional P.R.O.
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