"Transformers" active on the apron, how many can you recognize?

Have you ever seen a special vehicle on the tarmac?

They are active in all corners of the airport

It looks different in shape and will be "deformed"

These weird cars

What exactly is it for?

And what are the "cars"?

Today, Dongdong will take you to get acquainted

"Transformers" on these aprons

Hydrogen-fueled baggage tractors

"Hercules" on the tarmac

In 2021, China Eastern successfully developed the first hydrogen energy baggage tractor in civil aviation, filling the gap in the field of new fuel cells. Relying on the pure electric chassis as the carrier, in order to improve the safety and power of the self-made chassis, the vehicle also optimizes the drive motor control system of the refined tractor, and the maximum towing amount can reach 25 tons. The whole vehicle is equipped with air conditioning and heating, so that the driver can always maintain a comfortable temperature for towing operations, no longer affected by the external ambient temperature.

The car is equipped with leaf springs on the front axle and independent suspension of barrel shock absorbers, as well as other hardware such as dual-pipe front disc and rear drum brakes. A micro-motion docking device with independent performance is installed on the side of the body to facilitate towing operations.

Hydrogen energy aircraft water truck

Nature's porter

This is an aircraft clear water truck, designed for the aircraft to supplement all the domestic water of passengers on the flight, it adopts the first hydrogen fuel exclusive chassis structure in China, only need to refuel 5 minutes, can travel more than 300 kilometers, both convenient and environmentally friendly.

The large-capacity carriage can carry several tons of water, and generally appears next to the aircraft after all passengers have disembarked, and delivers drinking water to the aircraft fresh water tank through a slender pipe. The water supply system is located at the rear of the vehicle, the whole water tank is made of stainless steel plate, using a high-power water pump, the water filling flow is up to 180 liters per minute, and the water pressure is adjustable, which is suitable for different water filling pressure requirements of all types of aircraft. In addition, it is equipped with electric heating to keep warm, and there is no pressure in low temperature environments in winter.

Dongdong has very strict standards for the clean water supplied to aircraft, and the water quality will also be regularly tested by authoritative institutions, so you can use it with confidence~

Machine-based safety system

"Unmanned"

For a closer look, China Eastern Airlines has developed and manufactured many special vehicles for passenger boarding vehicles, passenger boarding vehicles with reduced mobility, and aviation food vehicles.

These vehicles are equipped with an important system, the on-camera safety system independently developed by China Eastern Airlines. The aircraft safety system is mainly used for the safe docking of aviation ground equipment, to assist the safe operation of the driver to the greatest extent, through ultrasonic sensors, 3D sensors and millimeter wave radar and other composite ranging sensors, accurately measure the distance between the vehicle and the aircraft door, assist the vehicle to complete the docking with the aircraft, real-time display of the vehicle operating status, and avoid potential safety hazards in the work to the greatest extent. The system is easy to operate, safe and reliable, and is widely used in various aircraft operated by China Eastern Airlines.

Aviation food trucks

This is an aviation food truck, which is composed of electric chassis, scissor hydraulic lifting mechanism, liftable front platform, carriage, refrigerated unit, etc., responsible for transporting aviation meals, blankets, headphones and other items.

The car is safe and environmentally friendly, but also has a strong bearing capacity, the use of scissors and forks structure for lifting and delivery, the platform can be raised up to 5.8 meters, suitable for 320, 330, 737, 777 and other models.

The carriage can be lifted in parallel with hydraulics and connected to the aircraft door, and the cart containing meals can be pushed into the cabin. All sides are equipped with feet to keep the vehicle stable, and in the case of a level 8 wind, delicious meals can be served smoothly.

Boarding the car for passengers with reduced mobility

This is an electric passenger boarding car with reduced mobility, which is independently developed by China Eastern Airlines, and also adopts the chassis modification of Class II pure electric vehicles, equipped with a single lifting main cylinder, which can maintain a stable speed of rising and falling during operation, and the vehicle can operate normally in an environment of -20 degrees Celsius ~ 50 degrees Celsius and wind speed below 75km/h.

The body of the car is equipped with a square compartment, and the equipment for fixing the wheelchair for the disabled is placed in the cabin to prevent the wheelchair from sliding sideways, which is a "barrier-free" passage for boarding, which is convenient for parking in the remote position, and sends disabled passengers, wheelchair passengers and seriously ill stretcher passengers to the plane without a covered bridge.

Passenger boarding carts

This is a passenger boarding car known as the "first car" of the apron, which is a new energy model independently developed by China Eastern Airlines, using a pure electric second-class automobile chassis, installed with passenger boarding ladders, and using the telescopic structure of the upper and lower ladders, double guide rails, double rollers, and slide rail forms to help passengers board.

Its nose is similar to that of ordinary trucks, but the chassis is installed with "telescopic" escalators, which can be adapted to different models by adjusting the height of the escalator, the larger the model, the steeper the slope. The car is suitable for various medium and large models such as 737 and 777 with a cabin threshold height of 2.4 meters to 5.8 meters, and can ensure that passengers and staff in remote seats can get on and off the plane anytime and anywhere according to the parking situation of the aircraft.

From tractors to food trucks

These busy work vehicles shuttle on the apron

They all have their own functions and tasks

It is owned by China Eastern Airlines Industries

Shanghai Eastern Airlines Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd

Independently developed special equipment for civil airports

It is a special vehicle for all kinds of civil aviation

Efficiently ensure safe and convenient travel for passengers

Read the above knowledge popular science

Is there a deeper understanding of them?

Let Dongdong come and spot check

Special vehicle knowledge quiz is coming

Try! How many can you get right?

(Secretly tell you: the answer is in the article)

Dongdongjia special vehicles

Knowledge quiz

Exam rules: Click on the option you think is correct

1. Which of the following are not covered by air food trucks?

A

blanket

B

Water for domestic use

C

Airline meals

2. What is the maximum towing amount of hydrogen fuel luggage tractor?

Weight?

A

15 tons

B

20 tons

C

25 tons

3. What are the following characteristics of hydrogen energy aircraft clearwater trucks?

A

Low carbon and environmental protection

B

The water pressure is not adjustable

C

Short hydrogen refueling time and long cruising range

4. Which of the following statements is correct about passenger boarding cars? (Multiple selection)

A

Has "retractable" escalators

B

It adopts a pure electric second-class automobile chassis

C

The larger the aircraft type, the flatter the climbing ladder slope

5. Which special vehicles are equipped with a back-to-machine safety system? (Multiple selection)

A

Aviation food trucks

B

Passenger boarding carts

C

Boarding the car for passengers with reduced mobility

6. What type of passengers are generally suitable for boarding cars for passengers with reduced mobility? (Multiple selection)

A

Young travellers

B

Passengers with disabilities and wheelchairs

C

Seriously ill stretcher passengers

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