The application of cranes for efficient aviation maintenance, production and assembly

Aviation maintenance

Planes are a modern-day marvel, able to transport people and cargo globally at speed. With sizable models like a Boeing 747 able to house upwards of 500 passengers, there are a lot of moving parts and complex systems that makeup a commercial aircraft, and when manufacturing, transporting, and fitting heavy aircraft components, there is a particular piece of machinery that manufacturing and maintenance companies turn to for safe and accurate component handling - cranes.

Aviation maintenance requirements

An unlikely hero of the aviation industry, since being introduced in the early 20th century cranes have made it possible for single workers to handle and move heavy objects that would otherwise require a team of people, increasing efficiency and safety in aviation maintenance and assembly.

There are two main types of cranes used in aviation - mobile and stationary. Mobile cranes are used for tasks such as moving engines and other large components around an aircraft hangar, while stationary cranes are more often used in production lines where aircraft parts are brought to them. As expert providers of mobile cranes to projects all across Victoria, we are going to take a more in-depth look at the advantages a mobile crane has to offer when it comes to aviation maintenance, aerospace assembly, and aircraft rigging.

The advantages of a mobile crane in aeronautics

While both mobile and stationary crane types have their advantages, mobile cranes tend to be more versatile and can be used in a wider range of applications with key benefits including:

Increased mobility on-site and between locations

One of the main advantages of a mobile crane is that it can be easily moved around an aviation hangar, which is important for tasks such as moving engines and other large components. Franna cranes are especially handy in this respect as they can ferry components and parts directly from one location to another without the need for any additional loading, unloading, or transport.

Outrigger stability for heavy lifts in any location

Another advantage of a mobile crane is that they are often fitted with outriggers. Outriggers are support legs that can be extended from the main body of the crane, increasing its stability when lifting heavy objects. This is an important safety feature, as it reduces the risk of the crane tipping over when lifting large or heavy objects.

Advanced accessibility

Mobile cranes also have the advantage of being able to access difficult-to-reach places, which can be useful for more basic upkeep tasks such as cleaning aircraft windows or painting hard-to-reach areas of an aircraft fuselage.

Enlist a team with crane expertise

If you're involved in aviation maintenance or assembly, it's likely that you'll need to be using cranes on a regular basis. To get the most out of your crane and ensure the highest level of safety and precision, it's important to identify and select the right type of crane for the job at hand. With so many different models and configurations available on the market, this can seem like a daunting task – but that’s where the team of experts at Project Cranes and Rigging can help. With more than 15 years in the business, we specialise in aviation maintenance and aircraft rigging, and have a wide range of cranes readily available for dispatch.

Contact us today if you would like to learn more, our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to answer any questions and advise you on the best option for your needs.