FBO is short for fixed-base operator. A fixed-base operator has the right to provide services on premises at an airport. For example, these services may include fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction and other similar services. The right is given to the fixed-base operator by the airport at which it is located.
An FBO needs specific equipment in order to provide the types of service it offers. One piece of equipment would not satisfy all the requirements for fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance and flight instruction. Accordingly, an FBO usually has many different pieces of aircraft equipment.
Diverse Supply offers many types of aircraft equipment. The gateway to these products can be seen at:
https://www.platformsandladders.com/aircraft-maintenance-products/
The main categories of FBO aircraft equipment offered by Diverse Supply through their online presence (platformsandladders.com) are maintenance stands, transport equipment, tow bars and portable passenger stairs.
Maintenance stands come in many different shapes and sizes. Due to the many different types and sizes of aircraft, there is not a “one size fits all” choice. Depending on the size of the FBO and the type of aircraft it services, be they large and/or small (or helicopters), many different stands may be needed.
Transport equipment, often called carts, are available in many different shapes and sizes. Popular cart types are closed baggage carts (weatherproof), open baggage carts (not weatherproof), knockdown baggage carts (saves storage space), heavy duty carts (for heavy cargo), trailers (for very heavy cargo) and chair lifts (to lift mobility chairs from ground level to belt loader height).
Tow bars, although similar in shape, are available in many different sizes and capacities. A tow bar is designed for use on a specific aircraft (or sometimes a group of 2 or more aircraft) and should not be used on an aircraft it was not designed to accommodate. It is important to note that some pushback tractors require a longer towbar than an “off the shelf” tow bar has in order to clear the aircraft nose. In this case, a custom tow bar is required.
Portable passenger stairs are the last FBO aircraft equipment category offered by Diverse Supply. Most larger airports have passenger boarding direct from the terminal to the aircraft. Due to different factors such as weather, emergencies or even in the case of very busy travel times, a portable set of passenger stairs may be needed. Most portable passenger stairs are height adjustable. It is important to select a set of portable passenger stairs that has a height range that matches the aircraft with which it will be used. Some portable passenger stairs have to be towed to the aircraft but some are drivable to the aircraft. Towable portable passenger stairs are less costly than drivable passenger stairs.
Feel free to reach out to us at 888-802-3651 if you have any FBO aircraft equipment questions or concerns. You can find us online at www.platformsandladders.com