UK aviation manufacturing charging ahead says Newbow

 

 

As a UK leader in the manufacture of aviation ground support equipment (GSE) for 60 years, Newbow Aerospace has seen its order book expand during 2024, in response to demand for its premium quality GSE products. 

 

As an innovative manufacturer, Newbow is constantly looking to evolve in line with market demands. For example, equipment which can be used safely by a single operative, is increasingly important to airline customers. 

 

Back in 2012, Newbow developed the GSE market’s first and unique Easy-Load Nitrogen and Oxygen Service Carts, for single operator handling. Since then, three variants of these carts have been created by the Redditch-based manufacturer. Now offering two-bottle, three-bottle and four-bottle configurations, Newbow also provides customers with a choice of three charging systems - dual use (low and high pressure), low pressure only or high pressure only. 

 

Nitrogen and oxygen are both critical to the safe operation of commercial and military aircraft. Whilst oxygen enables pilots, crew and passengers to breathe in a controlled environment at high altitude, plus supplemental oxygen deployed in the case of an emergency, nitrogen has a number of applications: 

 

Nitrogen gas is used to inflate aircraft tires to prevent the rubber from degrading due to oxidation and to reduce the risk of fire from brake heat transfer. Nitrogen also removes moisture from the wheel's cavity, creating a stable pressure at all altitudes, as the landing gear bay is unpressurised. 

 

Nitrogen is used to inert aircraft fuel tanks to prevent the risk of combustion. This is done by displacing oxygen in the fuel tanks, which is known as nitrogen purging. 

 

Nitrogen is used in oil-filled shock absorbers to improve damping efficiency and to prevent oil "dieseling" during compression. 

 

Nitrogen gas is used to inflate escape slide systems and life rafts because it is inert. 

 

In terms of their innovation, featuring a pivoting front axle, Newbow’s nitrogen and oxygen carts have a high degree of stability, protecting cylinders in the event of high-speed cornering or use on uneven terrain. The gas cylinder stowage tray pivot point and final resting angle of 30-degrees allows one-person to lower and lift the tray when loaded with two gas cylinders. The four-bottle cart is hydraulically operated with a hand pump. To comply with industry safety regulations, the hand pump fitted to the oxygen cart features a special inert hydraulic fluid. 

 

Additional features include self-venting pressure setting regulators, secondary isolation valves, pressure relief valves and calibrated pressure gauges, which all form part of the charging system. 

 

Newbow’s manufacturing process features laser-profiled sheet steel, sourced from trusted suppliers in the UK, that is specially folded and welded together, which sets its products apart from others in the market. Newbow’s design is more complex than box section steel designed carts and this offers a far more robust and long-lasting product. During its R&D, Newbow’s tests have shown the Easy-Load carts are capable of withstanding a load seven times greater than its intended use. 

 

From a safety standpoint, the location of the low- and high-pressure outlet hoses were strategically positioned. These terminate from the rear of the charging cabinet and down into an open void before connecting to the auto-retracting hose reels. This design ensures the outlet hose termination point from the charging panel is not in the vicinity of the operator when a live charging task is being undertaken. 

 

The oxygen cart also provides static heat-soak gas inlet stems, ESD bonding and earth grounding to ensure operator and aircraft safety. 

 

Further optional features offered by Newbow include different pressure rated charging cabinets, gas booster systems, gas cylinder refill ports, various size towing eyes and forklift mounting plates. 

 

Because the cabinet is fully self-contained and modular, it can be cycled between carts and wheel change trailers when annual service is due. Many of Newbow’s customers prefer to keep a spare charging system within their stores. 

 

Mindful of the aviation industry’s transition to more sustainable operations on the ramp at airports, Newbow rose to the challenge earlier this year with the launch of the first wheel and brake change trailer in the GSE market to feature a roof-mounted solar panel, which powers internal LED lighting. 

 

Commenting on its market-leading manufacturing of GSE products for world-wide customers, Marc Green, Sales Director of Newbow Aerospace, said: 

 

“Over the past 60 years, Newbow Aerospace has been a trailblazer in the research, development and manufacture of ground support equipment that helps airlines to operate safely and efficiently, in a high pressure industry. We continue to innovate and expect to see growing demand for sustainability-led solutions, such as our solar XL trailer. The availability of lightweight, flexible solar panels now gives us the scope to develop products which will contribute to more sustainable airport ramp operations, so we anticipate this to be a growth area for Newbow in 2025.” 

 

Please check our GSE products page for more information on our range of oxygen and nitrogen carts, charging cabinets, calibrated gauges, hoses, regulators, wheel and brake change trailers and other tools and equipment.