subject: The Ground Support Equipment Of Alcatraz Off The Tarmac! [print this page] Alcatraz is known for many things, chief amongst them, Al Capone, just one of the many inmates who found their way to the island in the 29 years that it served as a federal prison. In the late 60s and early 70s, it was also famously the site of a 19-month occupation in support of native rights. And it plays an important role in the eco-system of the entire state of California as a habitat for the slender salamander. But Alcatraz may conjure up something else altogether for ground support equipment enthusiasts, who may think of the island as one of the places in the world where airport technology has been put to novel use.
Ground support equipment outside of the airport: case study #1 - Alcatraz
The terrain at Alcatraz may be rocky and craggy, but the National Park there is one of the most accessible in the country, in large part because of an electric tram for visitors with mobility challenges. The inspiration for these low-emitting trams? Ground support equipment, specifically, the electric motors used in pushback tugs at the airport.
Pushback tugs or pushback tractors are a kind of ground support equipment vehicle that is usually used to push or tow aircraft that is on the ground.
Quick fact: Novice ground support equipment enthusiasts sometimes wonder how it is that a vehicle as small as a push bag tug can move large aircraft. The answer: friction.
Ground support equipment outside of the airport: case study #2 In the museum
Lovers of ground support equipment can indulge in their passion by visiting displays at air museums around the world, many of which feature displays of vintage military and civilian equipment. The Texas Air Museum, for example, has a 1964 Clark Equipment Co MHE-180 Warehouse Tractor in its collection.
Texas seems to be a leader in ground support equipment collections. The states Cold War Air Museum has displayed such rare equipment as Russian support equipment for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, commonly known by the name Flogger.
Some museums collect ground support equipment to be used as props in displays. The Newark Air Museum put out a call in 2007 saying that it was looking for:
a Houchin ground power unit
an air starter
a ground support equipment trolley
and other ground support equipment
Museums also collect ground support equipment manuals from famous conflicts, such as Cold War-era missile manuals for American ground crews.
Enthusiasts of ground support equipment may want to put trips to California, Texas and New Jersey on their bucket lists.
