Once again Powervamp’s team of specialist Ground support crew were back in action at Farnborough throughout the official show days of the 9th to 15th July. Of course the work started well before with the connection of various Powervamp solid state Ground power units to some of the world most advanced aircraft.
It was more than 11 years ago that Powervamp pioneered their pollution free ground power system, revolutionising the way power was delivered to the aircraft. Using a static generator parked well way from the aircraft with the output cables feeding power to Powervamp’s 28 volt DC modular power supplies this new approach was hailed by many pilots airframe company staff as one of the most significant improvements to emerge at air shows for many years.
The benefit to major exhibitors displaying many aircraft such as Bombardier, were immense. Gone for ever were the noisy and fume producing diesel GPU’s that thundered all day, burning thousands of litres of fuel for each aircraft during the show week. Instead, silence and fume free operation allowed customers and exhibitors to talk quietly in and around the Aircraft – undoubtedly this assisted the sales and demonstration process.
Today, electric units powered by remote generators are standard. Since those early days, Powervamp has expanded, acquiring other companies , and now produces in house its own advanced solid state 115volt 400Hz Aircraft frequency converters which are used around the world. Exporting to more than 60 countries, Powervamp has established its own air show support division, and regularly supplies air frame manufacturers such as BAE, Boeing, Airbus and many other with power and cooling at shows such as the Paris Air show.
The preparation starts months before the show, with tonnes of cabling assembled and scores of AC and DC ground power units readied from Powervamp’s large stock of show rental units.
Nearer the show set up dates, vehicles and schedules are checked, the hotels that have been booked almost a year in advance are contacted to reconfirm all rooms are available, the 8 special bonded tool kits are finally checked and sealed and the crew briefed on the latest contractor information from the organisers. New work wear for the team is issued and wet weather gear too. Depending on the size of the show or the amount of aircraft, up to three 38 tonne trailers loaded with converters, and 28volt Transformer rectifier units, cabling, 3 phase electric coolers and their long concertina hoses to cool the aircraft cabins all have to be loaded.In addition, the company’s own 7.5 tonne truck with tail lift and probably two vans and two cars will be required. Passes will have been issued with staff likely to have undergone security checking well before.
While to some, the operation may look easy, in reality, the deadlines of shows and the demands of the big aircraft manufacturers are hugely demanding on the Powervamp team. It is an unforgiving business with billions of dollars of aircraft relying on Powervamp to provide the power to operate their systems during the show. If, as usual, everything has gone smoothly, it’s business as normal and at the end of the show the equipment has to be collected and carefully loaded for return to the factory to be checked, tested and stored neatly for next time.
