Melville, New York, July 1, 2019. Temperatures in the baggage hold of an aircraft can often reach in excess of 120°F (50°C) during the summer months, putting baggage handlers and other ramp personnel in danger. Sage Parts, one of the world’s leading suppliers of replacement parts for ground support equipment, has addressed this concern with an innovative product specifically designed to keep the belly of an aircraft cool during ground operations.
Sage’s Ramptech BellyCool Ducting was created by Sage Parts engineers to provide an easy and economical solution for the extreme heat conditions that can occur in an aircraft’s belly. The BellyCool product features a specially designed section of ducting that diverts a regulated amount of cool air from the PCA (Pre-Conditioned Air) unit and directs that air into the baggage hold. The amount of air diverted does not impact the aircraft’s cooling process in any measurable way.
“Anyone who has ever been inside the baggage hold of an airplane on a warm day has certainly dealt with a level of heat that can be unbearable and potentially very unsafe,” said Jimmy Derichsweiler, Sage Parts Director of Product Management. “Ramptech BellyCool Ducting is a unique design that provides a vital solution to a challenging problem that many aviation operators and their ground support personnel have experienced.”
Installation of Ramptech BellyCool Ducting is fast and simple. A 4.5-inch (114 mm) section of high-quality wire-reinforced duct is attached to the main supply line via an access point near the ducting reducer. This connection utilizes a Velcro connected joint, which can be closed when the BellyCool Ducting product is not in use. When closed, it is used as a standard ducting reducer. The reducer and access port are located at the end of an 8-inch (203 mm) Flex Link ducting reducer. The length of the FlexLink reducer can vary to meet the specific needs of ground support operations.
As an important added benefit, the FlexLink is designed to bring the reducer and the BellyCool port to the ground – where the connection is easier to work with – while also eliminating the extra load that is lifted to the aircraft connection port.
“Like all Sage Parts products, Ramptech BellyCool Ducting is the result of extensive research, development, and testing,” continued Mr. Derichsweiler. “BellyCool Ducting is a robust and intelligently designed product that has proven itself in many of the world’s warmest climates as a highly effective and essential baggage hold cooling solution.”
For additional information, please visit sageparts.com.
