MSA Safety has launched a new WinGrip vacuum anchor that improves safety and efficiency in aircraft maintenance.

The WinGrip A1X makes a non-invasive anchor point on aircraft wings by employing vacuum suction, which offers a secure grip without damaging the aircraft while working on fuselages and wings.

It provides a lighter and more compact design around 35% lighter than previous versions, weighing seven kilograms.

Other key features of the WinGrip A1X include:

• 360-mm diameter
• Refillable air or gas supplied cylinders
• Twice the anchor repositions from new pneumatic system
• No electrical components
• Integrated audio alarm with real-time status feedback

With these capabilities, the new WinGrip vacuum anchor reduces the need for spare cylinders and ensures maintenance teams can use effective fall protection equipment while working on planes.

The smaller pad diameter also enables maintenance teams to use the A1X vacuum anchor on smaller aircraft, such as:

• Business jets
• Private jets
• Commercial airliners

Each A1X vacuum anchor kit comes with:

• Two anchor points (primary and secondary “flying” anchor)
• Dedicated air cylinder
• Pressure line
• Set of personal protective equipment (PPE)

As the WinGrip A1X is designed to be used for A and B check operations, it offers improved portability and flexibility, so technicians can deploy and reposition the anchor points without additional crew members or an overhead lifeline infrastructure.

MSA Safety Senior Vice President and President of EMEA Business Jose Sanchez said, "The A1X vacuum anchor was developed from listening to the people who use WinGrip every day.”

Sanchez continued, “We know that if a tool isn't deployed, it isn't protecting anyone, so we focus on removing every barrier between a technician and their safety equipment.”

“The result is the most capable, most portable WinGrip anchor we've ever built, featuring compatibility with a broader range of aircraft than any previous generation,” added Sanchez.

“In an industry where every minute counts, we believe the A1X vacuum anchor sets a new standard for working at height on aircraft," he concluded.