AW169 Helicopter Staging and Ground Support Equipment

Designed in conjunction with access staging for the Augusta Westland AW169, pictured is an engine cowling support unit, note the cowling safely supported above the nose. This simple yet ingenuous solution was trialed and accepted by the customer on the first time of asking. It eliminates the highly risk laden task of getting the cowling/cover down to the floor and back up once again when work on the engine is complete, risk laden because it takes two or three people to handle it and between removal and the relative safety of the floor and back up again there is a very real chance of an incident that could result in damage to the helicopter, or worse the technicians, and even worse still, both.

As the engine cover slides forward and typically away for any side staging it is very difficult to lower onto the staging, hence this new idea, the cover is removed then handled easily at the same height, and remains in this position until the reverse happens and the cover is refitted, an idea incidentally that was thought of by the technicians and then refined, designed and finally manufactured. When not required for this main function it has extra boards that can be fitted at low level and creates a workbench, so it is never redundant.

Please click on image to enlarge.