How To Prevent Costly Ground Damage with Customized GSE Safety Technology

Airports are operating at unprecedented capacity, with over 100,000 commercial flights departing daily according to OAG, making ramp safety more critical than ever.

Ground support equipment (GSE) is essential for efficient aircraft turnarounds, yet it also poses a significant risk for ground damage, operational delays, and costly aircraft on ground (AOG) events when not equipped with adequate safety measures.

Addressing the rising cost of ground damage with advanced GSE technology

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that growing flight volumes could push annual ground damage costs to $10 billion by 2035. However, IATA also estimates that integrating enhanced anti-collision and blind spot solutions into GSE could reduce these costs by up to 42%.

IATA’s 2024 Annual Safety Report notes a slight rise in incident rates—from 1.09 to 1.13 per million flights—with seven fatal accidents and 244 onboard fatalities recorded last year. Despite this, the industry’s fatality risk remains low at 0.06, well below the five-year average of 0.10.

These figures highlight how even minor ground incidents can lead to substantial delays, repairs, or serious AOG situations, underscoring the need for smarter monitoring and prevention technologies.

Identifying key risks: Blind zones and collision hotspots

Ground crews often operate heavy equipment in confined spaces near aircraft, where limited visibility around wings, fuselage edges, and cargo doors increases the likelihood of impacts.

Unseen obstacles combined with vehicle movement can cause dents, skin punctures, or structural harm—potentially leading to rapid decompression or AOG scenarios if not prevented.

The diverse nature of GSE—including catering trucks, baggage tugs, pushback tractors, fuel tankers, and passenger buses—introduces varied operational challenges and risk levels. Many of these vehicles feature substantial blind spots due to their size and design, elevating the risk of aircraft damage, engine hazards, worker injuries, and AOG incidents.

Innovative safety solutions for modern GSE

To bridge these safety gaps, Brigade has engineered a suite of intelligent safety systems specifically designed for GSE operations. Initially developed for high-risk catering vehicles operating in close proximity to aircraft, these kits incorporate advanced sensing and imaging technologies.

The HFR HD Backeye®360 camera system, for example, offers operators a real-time, high-definition 360° view around the vehicle via an in-cab monitor. This dramatically improves situational awareness in congested apron areas and during tight maneuvers near aircraft.

A key feature is its AI-powered Human Feature Recognition (HFR), which identifies pedestrians in blind spots and alerts the operator through visual and auditory signals. This is especially valuable for vehicles with high cabins, such as catering or lavatory trucks, where direct downward visibility is limited.

The system includes manually toggleable camera views for initial and final approach phases. Two side-mounted front cameras provide a split-screen view of the wing area during initial alignment, while an upward-facing camera on the vehicle’s top assists during final approach to prevent contact with the wing or fuselage.

By integrating these technologies, Brigade delivers a holistic safety system that helps prevent collisions, protects assets, and reduces the occurrence of AOG events caused by ground equipment.

Corey Heniser, CEO of Brigade Electronics, stated:
“Our technology goes beyond object detection—it empowers operators with confidence, ensuring safe, uninterrupted operations and avoiding financial losses. With the industry facing billions in potential damage, our systems bring critical visibility and control to ramp operations, turning blind spots into manageable zones and preventing AOG incidents before they occur.”