The Alenia C-27J Engine & Wing Height Adjustable Access Platform: Premier Maintenance Solution
The Alenia C-27J Engine & Wing Height Adjustable Access Platform is a foundational aviation maintenance solution. Engineered specifically for servicing the C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, this sturdy and versatile access solution provides safe, compliant, and highly efficient access for technicians on the flight line and in the hangar.
This stand is tailored for comprehensive maintenance applications, covering the entire C-27J profile. Its primary utility is its adjustable height capability, a crucial feature that allows precise alignment with various elevated sections of the aircraft. This includes the powerful Rolls Royce AE2100-D2A engines (each delivering 3,458 kW or 4,637 shp) and the extensive wing structure (wingspan of 28.7 meters, or 94 ft 2 in). This height adaptability ensures strict compliance with safety regulations while maximizing operational efficiency.
Engine Access and Component Replacement
The platform’s design ensures secure and unobstructed access to key maintenance zones. For engine access, the adjustable height provides first-class positioning for tasks such as routine inspections, servicing, or component replacement on the turboprop units. Technicians gain stable footing and comfortable working height, mitigating elevation risks.
Comprehensive Wing Structure Maintenance
Furthermore, the platform is indispensable for comprehensive wing maintenance. It is engineered to facilitate work on the leading edge of the wing, an area critical for aerodynamic performance and de-icing systems. Access to the flaps, vital high-lift devices, is seamlessly provided, allowing for detailed inspections and functional checks. Wing root access—where the wing joins the fuselage (22.7 meters or 74 ft 6 in long)—is safely reached, enabling methodical structural and system maintenance in this often-congested junction.
Operational Efficiency with the C-27J Engine & Wing Height Adjustable Access Platform
Operational safety and user convenience are central to the platform’s construction. Innovative features include sliding guardrails, which allow free access to the workspace. These rails can be dropped to midrail height or entirely removed, secured by a spring-loaded pin mechanism, ensuring maximum flexibility when tooling or materials need to be maneuvered close to the aircraft structure without compromising fall protection. Entry to the platform is secured by a spring-loaded entry gate.
Mobility, Stability, and Maneuverability
Mobility and stability are carefully balanced in the design. The stand includes 2X swivel towable castors with directional locks positioned at the stair end, alongside 2X swivel towable 200mm castors at the rear, making the unit easy to maneuver around the C-27J, even in confined hangar spaces. Once in position, wind-down jacks ensure the stand is firmly stabilized and secured against movement, providing a solid foundation for intricate maintenance tasks.
Enhanced Safety and Access Features
Access to the working deck is facilitated by a 70° access stair, featuring anti-skid nosing for safety in various weather conditions, a crucial consideration for flight line operations. An integral vertical ladder provides secondary access or egress. The deck itself is constructed with perforated decking, which promotes drainage and reduces the risk of slips.
Adjustments are simplified by an auto-braked hand winch for raising and lowering the platform height, providing precise control. A handle is incorporated to dis-engage auto-locking pins for swift repositioning. For transportation, the unit features a drop-down towbar, held securely in place with a spring pin when stowed.
Compliance and Multi-Purpose Design
Engineered around high standards, including compliance with Australian Standards (like AS 1657), this access stand offers a sturdy, versatile, and high-quality solution that simultaneously addresses multiple access requirements for the C-27J Spartan, ensuring aircraft readiness and technician safety.
Its multi-purpose design for engine, flight control, and wing maintenance makes it an indispensable tool for maintaining the operational capacity of this military transport aircraft (maximum take-off weight of up to 32,500 kg). This dedicated C-27J Engine & Wing Height Adjustable Access Platform minimizes downtime and maximizes the efficiency of comprehensive C-27J maintenance cycles.
For more access see our Alenia C-27J Flight Controls Wing Dock.
