Ground equipment

transporting passengers

bus

spraying icy wings

aircraft de-icer

transporting construction materials

heavy plant

reversing planes

push-back tug

repairing flat tyres

maintenance truck

putting out fires

fire engine / fire truck

pushes accumulated snow off runways, taxiways, and aprons to keep them operational

snowplough

delivering kerosene (jet fuel)

fuel tanker

removes debris, dust, and foreign objects from airport pavements to maintain a clean and safe environment

(suction) sweeper

carrying cargo

flat-bed truck

Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and take off of aircraft

runway incursion

an elevated bus-like vehicle used for boarding and disembarking from aircraft

mobile lounge

visual guidance to position aircraft at the stand

nose-in docking system

primarily used as a means of passenger transportation between airport terminals and remote aircraft parking positions

passenger coach

used for transporting aircraft passenger luggage

baggage cart, trolley, dolly

vehicles equipped with a conveyor belt that can be raised and lowered to match the height of the aircraft cargo hold

conveyor, bulk loader

specialized vehicles equipped with scissor lifts or hydraulic platforms designed to reach the cargo holds of large aircraft

high lift / hydraulic loader

specialized ground support vehicle used at airports to deliver meals, beverages, and other onboard supplies to aircraft

catering truck

specialized airport ground service vehicle used to supply potable (drinking) water to aircraft

water servicing truck

specialized ground support vehicle at airports used to maintain and service the lavatory systems of aircraft

lavatory service truck

versatile industrial vehicle used at airports for handling cargo, baggage, and various supplies

fork-lift truck

spreads sand, grit or salt on airport surfaces to to improve traction for aircraft

sanding truck / gritting truck / gritter

clears heavy snow from runways, taxiways, and aprons by blowing it off the surface

snow blower

transports flight crews between the terminal and parked aircraft

crew minibus

sprays heated de-icing fluid onto aircraft surfaces to remove frost, ice, and snow

de-icing vehicle

a stationary structure used for de-icing aircraft efficiently in dedicated areas

de-icing gantry

cleans oil spills, rubber deposits, and contaminants from airport surfaces

surface cleaner

provides compressed air to start an aircraft’s engines when onboard systems are unavailable

ASU (air start unit)

supplies electrical power to aircraft systems while they are on the ground

GPU (ground power unit)

pomps fuel from underground supply

fuel bowser

connects aircraft to towing vehicles for repositioning on the ground

tow-bar

designated space for testing aircraft engines at high power without interfering with operations

run-up area

airport fire truck equipped to spray foam for extinguishing aircraft fires

foam crash tender

guides aircraft to parking stands or taxiways, ensuring safe ground movement

follow-me car

measures runway surface friction to assess braking conditions during wet or icy conditions

friction tester

a vehicle with special equipment, used for taking sick or injured people to a hospital

ambulance

an official car used by the police

police car

at an airport provides safe boarding and disembarking for passengers or maintenance access to aircraft when jet bridges are unavailable

steps / access platform

service which provides flight crew with flight data

dispatch

department in charge of aircraft maintenance

engineering

part of ILS equipment

localizer

part of aerodrome security which prevents intrusions

perimeter fence

service which keeps runways available in winter

snow clearance