AIRPORT

AIRPORT & GROUND SUPPORT
EQUIPMENT CONTROLS

INDUSTRY: Airport

OEM Controls designs and manufactures configurable industrial controllers and data-delivery solutions for airport ground support equipment and specialized service machinery.

Airport equipment performs very different functions across baggage and cargo handling, aircraft servicing, passenger access and equipment movement. Control requirements can vary by machine function, operator interface, electrical integration and operating environment.

Airport & Ground Support Equipment Applications

OEM Controls supports configurable operator controls and data solutions across a range of airport and ground support equipment applications. The right solution depends on the equipment, functions being controlled, operator requirements and system architecture.

airport baggage cargo
airport passenger boarding
airport deicing
airport specialized gse

Baggage & Cargo Handling

Belt loaders, cargo loaders and related material-handling equipment can require proportional movement, positioning and auxiliary control functions arranged around the operator’s workflow.

Aircraft De-icing & Servicing

De-icing and aircraft service equipment may combine vehicle movement with boom, positioning, fluid-system or auxiliary functions, creating a need for coordinated and accessible operator controls.

Passenger Boarding & Access Equipment

Passenger boarding bridges, jetways, stairs and other access equipment require controlled movement and positioning as operators align equipment with aircraft and terminal infrastructure.

Tugs, Tractors & Specialized GSE

Tugs, tractors and other mobile ground support equipment can require combinations of directional, proportional and auxiliary functions configured around the machine and its operating requirements.

Asset & Equipment Visibility

Airport operations can also require visibility beyond the operator control itself. OEM Controls Data Delivery products can support appropriate ground support applications where equipment location, movement, utilization or asset identification needs to be monitored.

Engineering the Right Airport Equipment Control Solution

Airport ground support equipment rarely has identical control requirements from one machine to another. Selecting or configuring the controller starts with understanding how the equipment must operate and how the operator interacts with it.

Control Functions

Determine the motions and commands the operator must control, including single-axis or multi-axis movement, proportional functions, switching functions, positioning and other machine commands.

Operator Interface

Handle style, switch placement, controller travel, spring return, detents, mounting position and available console space can all affect how the operator control should be configured.

Electrical & System Integration

The controller must match the machine’s electrical architecture. Output type, connector requirements, wiring, available inputs and system communication should be evaluated against the specific controller and equipment design.

Operating Environment

Airport ground support equipment may operate outdoors through changing weather, temperature variation, contaminants, vibration and repeated operating cycles. Environmental requirements should therefore be evaluated for the actual controller, installation and application.

OEM Controls can work with equipment manufacturers and system integrators to configure controls around these application requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Depending on the controller and configuration, an operator interface can incorporate proportional movement along with switches or other auxiliary inputs. The required functions should be defined before selecting the controller and handle configuration.

Environmental requirements should be based on the actual installation. Consider exposure to precipitation, contaminants, temperature variation, vibration, repeated use and whether the controller is installed in a protected or exposed operator position. Product-specific environmental characteristics should be verified before final specification.

Potentially. A replacement should be evaluated against the existing controller’s mechanical footprint, movement, mounting, wiring, electrical output, connector requirements, operator interface and system integration. OEM Controls can review those requirements when evaluating an appropriate configuration.

OEM Controls also offers Data Delivery products for appropriate applications where equipment location, movement, utilization or asset identification needs to be monitored. These technologies can complement operator-control solutions across airport and ground support operations.
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Explore Airport Control Solutions

Joystick Controllers

Single- and multi-axis controls for proportional and coordinated machine functions.

Handles & Operator Interfaces

Configurable grips and controls for operator-accessible auxiliary functions.

Switches & Foot Pedals

Alternative input devices for switching, selector and specialized control requirements.

Electronic Modules

Electronic control products for applications requiring additional machine-control functionality.

Data Delivery

Tags, trackers and gateways for equipment and asset visibility.

Need Help Defining the Right Airport Control Solution?

OEM Controls can help review the functions, operator interface, electrical requirements, mounting and environmental conditions of your airport or ground support equipment application.