9th August 2011. Oakenhurst Aircraft Services is to promote and distribute Spokane Industries, Metal Products Division’ unique ground-support products in the UK and Europe under a newly signed agreement.The initial products covered by the deal are Spokane’s patented SealVac™ vacuum fuel drain bowser which greatly speeds the process of defueling aircraft prior to maintenance, and the HandiFueler™ service cart used to optimize the daily servicing and refuelling of ground support equipment (GSE).
Both products have been widely praised by operators and hundreds are in service worldwide, particularly with the US Department of Defense. They are typically used by all types of MRO facilities servicing fixed-wing aircraft, and rotary wing versions are in development.
SealVac™ is a defuelling bowser which incorporates a unique vacuum plate tool that attaches to the aircraft sump or drain point and ensures that fuel is rapidly extracted without any leakage or human contact with the fuel. Key benefits are:
*Single man operation*Aircraft defueled as much as 20 times faster than gravity systems, taking minutes rather than hours.
*Health risks due to human/fuel contact eliminated
*Environmental risks due to spillage eliminated
HandiFueler™ is a ground support service cart which allows efficient and safe daily servicing of GSE with major productivity savings over older systems. Advantages include:
*Just a single daily trip required to service fuel, fluids and tyres on GSE.
*GSE can be refuelled and serviced at the gate or aircraft without moving.
*All routine servicing needs satisfied on one vehicle with minimal training.
Nathan Batson, General Manager Spokane Industries, Metal Products Division, said: “Oakenhurst have a great reputation for delivering excellent customer service and are well respected within the industry for providing a quality product in the European market, for which they’ve repeatedly won awards. They have a great location near all the London airports to serve the market and they share our passion for ensuring the best possible customer experience. They were an obvious choice of partner to take these unique products to market in the UK and Europe.”
Oakenhurst Managing Director Charlie Parker said: “These products are cleverly designed and superbly made and they bring real efficiency gains to Aircraft maintenance facilities. Spokane Industries has a great track record with its existing customers and we are very much looking forward to working with them.”
More information about the products is available at www.spokanemetalproducts.com/index.php
