Universal Deployable Platforms

Universal Deployable Platforms

Universal Deployable Platforms (UDP) or Portable work platforms, also known as rolling work platforms, offer a more extensive range of access to locations around aircraft. The ability to move these platforms into the right position requires little time or effort, increasing the time available to spend on repairs, service or construction. Some of these stands may require the use of a truck for moving them into position.

The portable platform has a working surface on top of supports. Wheels at the bottom of the stand allow for workers to move it into the necessary position. A railing around the platform protects workers from falls, which is critical anytime someone works above the ground.

To withstand the rigors of frequent adjustment, use and moving, these stands must have sturdy construction. The design must also allow for multiple changes in configuration in the case of adjustable platforms. Moving these structures via truck or personnel cannot shorten their lifespans, nor can having several workers on top of the platforms at once.

Mobility, safety and adjustability set portable platforms apart from other types of maintenance stands, and they are crucial tools to have in any aircraft service area.

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Common Uses of Portable Work Platforms

Portable platforms have many uses in the aviation industry and the military. Anyone servicing the exterior of a plane or needing access to the engine can safely stand on one of these platforms for a stable work surface.

1. Military Applications

Our military maintenance stands allow aircraft technicians to reach the myriad of places around various aircraft. Because the military has a range of specialized aircraft, the platforms to work around them must also have custom designs. Creating customized models ensures workers on them operate at the ideal height for the aircraft they need to service.

2. Commercial Use

Commercial aircraft service platforms do not need to have as many variations in design as those for the military. These work platforms, though, still have a range of models suited for many aircraft families, including Airbus, Boeing and Robinson.

3. Applications for All Aircraft Types

Military and commercial workers often use adjustable platforms to reach parts of an aircraft’s exterior for inspections, repairs, maintenance or construction. They need to work as close to the aircraft as possible without the working stand contacting the surface, and our aircraft maintenance stands allow them to do just that.

4. Fall Protection Use

Working at height requires fall protection, regardless of where the worker stands. Protecting workers from falls is another highly useful job for portable platforms. These work platforms have OSHA-compliant safety features, including the means to protect those on them from slipping and falling. Fall protection on the stands includes sturdy railings and anti-skid surfaces. Maintaining high safety standards is crucial for any project but especially in the time-critical field of aircraft service.

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Benefits of Rolling And Adjustable Work Platforms

Having rolling work platforms in your facility gives you an edge in productivity due to their ability to help your workers move between tasks and to reach inaccessible parts of the aircraft.

1. Workspace Flexibility

Since these platforms move into and out of position so quickly, the facility will not need space-consuming permanent platforms that may not be suitable for all aircraft serviced. By moving these stands where workers need them, your facility can adapt to providing service for a broader range of aircraft.

2. Stand Mobility

Moving work platforms is much easier than moving aircraft into position. With the ability of these stands to roll where you need them, you can bring them directly to the aircraft that need maintenance or repairs. This mobility increases the number of tasks your workers can do by moving their tools and platform to the aircraft that need their services — instead of having them wait on a stationary platform for the aircraft to come to them.

Common Types of Portable Work Platforms

Work platforms have different designs based on the portion of the aircraft they serve. For instance, tail and wing maintenance stands will both have their heights and platform styles designed to fit as tightly as possible to the aircraft.

1. B1 Maintenance Stand

Working on Boeing aircraft will require a stand that can reach various places on the planes. The Phoenix B1 maintenance stand features the mobility of other portable work platforms with a simplistic design to easily access the side of the aircraft.

A durable set of stairs allows for access to the platform, which includes side rails to prevent falls. This stand will accommodate the design of a variety of aircraft, such as:

• B707
• B757
• A319
• A331
• B727
• B767
• A320
• A350
• B737
• B777
• A321
• B747
• B787
• A330

For servicing the engine or body of an aircraft, this maintenance stand is ideal. Our engineers can even make customized adjustments to the design of this platform to suit your particular needs.

2. Tail Maintenance Stands

Portable platforms for the tail need to have a large enough platform to accommodate workers who may need to stand on either side of the rear at the same time. One such stand has a design precisely to fit the tail of a UH-60 Blackhawk. You can get platforms designed for other aircraft with our custom options.

This tail maintenance stand features lightweight aluminum construction that only requires one to two people to roll into place. With such simple mobility, this stand moves anywhere in a hangar you need to place it.

3. Wing Maintenance Stands

Wing portable platforms allow for a pair of workers to quickly set up and roll the stand into place for servicing the wings of aircraft. An example of this type of stand is the hazardous location option made expressly for working on the wings of the F-22.

Wing stands protect workers from falls through its use of railings. The design of these work platforms must strictly adhere to the shape of the wing so workers can get close without walking on the plane’s surface and causing damage. As with other work platforms, we can create custom wing stands for working on any airplane model, whether it’s commercial or military.

Our 5-Step Process

1. Consultation & Collaboration
2. Design & Concept
3. Manufacturing & Shipping Detailing
4. Testing & Documentation
5. Delivery, Setup & Training

We take the extra measure and precaution to test the load capacity of your aircraft stands. Before we manufacture your platforms at our 47,000-square-foot facility in Apopka, FL, our team initiates a Finite Element Analysis via Solidworks — we have certified Solidworks Associates (CSWA) on staff. Then, we’ll complete proof load testing after fabricating your general aircraft maintenance stands. The result is a design that’s rated for a load capacity of 1,000 pounds.