26 GSE INNOVATION
GROUND HANDLING INTERNATIONAL APRIL 2013
Belt extended into hold
days, nonetheless the delivery of Bendi Belts continues apace. Mallaghan says that it is currently producing two per week and that it is making use of vacant premises next door to its factory to effect this. Clearly, easyJet is looking to disseminate these beltloaders around its various stations, so it seems likely that other handlers will also be benefitting in the very near future.
Then… and now
Back to the frigid afternoon at Charles de Gaulle, where I’m witnessing the vehicle in action. Its narrow dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre around the aircraft and indeed, outwardly, there’s little to differentiate this item of GSE from its more traditional siblings. It is quiet in operation; its creep mode and joystick controls make for a safe aircraft approach; and the flexible head is quickly guided into the hold by the handler and turned to face the pile of bags and cases. Cramped up in the hold with him, I can see at first hand how efficient this device is: there’s a minimum of twisting and lifting required to place the baggage on the moving belt. The plastic flights on the extendable section take the luggage out of the hold and then move it on to the rubber belted section, oblivious to the right angle curve that has to be negotiated en route. It’s all done very quickly and effortlessly. The French handler opposite me says that he’s found this GSE to be straightforward to operate and that it’s been better than unloading in the traditional manner. As for me, after a few minutes crouched in the hold, I’m glad to emerge… Ten minutes later I’m treated to the
process in reverse. Again, it’s smooth and easy and one is tempted to think that this team have been working with this beltloader for years. Clearly, here is a user-friendly machine and easyJet would seem to have hit upon a winner. Walking around the Bendi Belt after the operation, I’m told by Frank Lemaire, Groupe Europe Handling’s Maintenance Director, that some modifications have been made since the first pair arrived
Mallaghan solution simple but effective
in France. The guard or safety rails have been reprofiled to ensure that there would be no chance of accidental impact with the fuselage: the leading edges are rubber-tipped as an extra precaution. There are also spring-loaded, retractable bolts that lock the guard rails into position once they are raised: these are simply pulled up to allow the mechanism to fold down again. Up at the nose there is a sensor installed that detects any unexpected movement (such as a hand): once activated, this will shut down the belt’s motor, thereby minimising the likelihood of an accident. (This type of safety device was fitted before but comprised a movable flap: the sensor is simply a cleaner, neater solution). That plastic flighted belt, too, has come in for some attention. Groupe Europe Handling noticed that luggage strap buckles were occasionally catching on the flights where they disappeared under the rubber belt section. This was causing damage and so Mallaghan came back with a tougher plastic version that has eradicated the problem completely. And that’s been the sum total of changes carried out. Given that the model had a reasonably long gestation period and that its developers were enthusiastic, right from the start, it’s
Easier handling all round
perhaps no surprise to learn that the Bendi Belt has been able to deliver the goods without major change to its configuration. Certainly, insofar as Groupe Europe Handling is concerned, there’s a tangible air of pride about being the first to deploy this new technology on mainland Europe. And in the absence of any easyJet dignitary on the day, I can attest to the beltloader’s effectiveness.
It’s perhaps no
surprise to learn that the Bendi Belt has been able to deliver the goods without major changes to its configuration.
This application to be introduced elsewhere in the easyJet network
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