Choosing the right aircraft maintenance stand is critical to ensuring crew safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This FAQ breaks down the most common types, key features, and important considerations to help you make the best decision for your fleet.
Types of Aircraft Maintenance Stands and Their Advantages
What are the most common types of aircraft maintenance stands?
Portable or mobile work stands are often used for aircraft maintenance, especially in environments where aircraft are moved within or between hangars. Adjustable work stands are also well-suited to aircraft maintenance, since it’s easy for work crews to adapt them to various craft types and heights. Stationary work stands are less common in these environments because they don’t provide the mobility most aircraft maintenance applications require.
What are the advantages of a portable/mobile aircraft maintenance stand?
Portable aircraft maintenance platforms are easy to move and set up to suit your needs and maintenance schedule. They’re lightweight, maneuverable, and easy to reconfigure without tools, so they’re useful in environments where the floor layout changes or you need to use the stand in multiple locations. Choosing a portable or mobile maintenance stand leaves your crews more time for repair and service work.
What are the advantages of an adjustable aircraft maintenance stand?
Adjustable work stands are easily adapted to the aircraft’s height and type, as well as the maintenance tasks involved. Choosing an adjustable maintenance stand gives you the versatility and flexibility to use it across many different aircraft within your fleet. A stand that adjusts to the exact height needed reduces fatigue and physical strain, which cuts the risk of injury, improves work accuracy, and keeps crews productive.
What business objectives can the right aircraft maintenance stand solve?
The right aircraft maintenance stand improves your maintenance crew’s efficiency, productivity, and workflow by streamlining their work and eliminating unnecessary steps. It also improves work precision by providing access to hard-to-reach areas and tight spaces. A work stand with advanced safety features provides fall protection for employees working at height, which reduces liability risk, minimizes injuries, and decreases lost work time. And by improving the overall maintenance function, the right stand helps to reduce unplanned downtime and keep aircraft in service.
Commercial vs Military Aircraft Maintenance Stands
Which applications are commercial aircraft maintenance stands best suited for?
A commercial aircraft maintenance stand is ideal for use in conducting annual and 100-hour inspections—including Level A, B C, and D checks—as well as scheduled preventive maintenance, routine maintenance, and repair work. Their load capacities and regulatory-compliant safety features make commercial aircraft maintenance stands suitable for use with any heavy aircraft.
Which applications are government aircraft maintenance stands best suited for?
Crews that work on military aircraft need a maintenance stand that streamlines their work and improves their safety when conducting field-level and depot-level maintenance, including ISO-level work. The right government aircraft work stand provides easy access to the tail, wing, nose, landing gear, and other components and provides a good fit with the specific aircraft model. These work stands help keep government aircraft mission-ready by reducing unplanned downtime.
Ready to find the right maintenance stand for your operation?
Request a custom quote today and get expert guidance tailored to your aircraft and maintenance needs.
Aircraft Maintenance Stand Benefits
How can an aircraft maintenance stand improve workflow?
A well-designed aircraft maintenance stand streamlines your crew’s work by reducing or eliminating setup and minimizing transition time between tasks. A versatile work stand gives you the flexibility to create the optimal maintenance schedule, improving how work tasks flow through your facility. Choosing the right work stand also improves your workers’ precision and accuracy, which streamlines their work, avoids costly rework, and enables you to allocate your finite labor efficiently. A stand that includes integrated storage further improves workflow by keeping all the necessary tools and supplies close at hand.
How can an aircraft maintenance stand improve efficiency?
Adjustable stands allow crews to work at different heights and angles with ease and alter the stand’s height quickly. A lightweight, portable stand is easily moved across the hangar, enabling crews to get to work on the next aircraft quickly. A stand with a high load capacity enables multiple technicians to work on the same aircraft simultaneously, speeding the task. When the maintenance stand includes integrated storage, it saves workers time by placing all the necessary tools and materials within reach. Integrated power improves efficiency by eliminating the need to search for extension cords. And when the work stand is customized to the aircraft size and configuration, it speeds the work by ensuring faster, easier access to every component.
How can an aircraft maintenance stand improve worker safety?
An aircraft maintenance stand with anti-skid surfaces, durable guardrails, four-inch kickplates, and 42-inch railings in accordance with OSHA regulations reduces the risk of falls and other incidents for employees who work at height. Any aircraft maintenance stand should comply with applicable OSHA, ANSI, and FAA safety regulations. For example, FAA Order 3900.65Aprovides guidelines to protect Flight Standards Service staff from falls while performing work-related duties on or near elevated working surfaces of four feet or higher.
Selecting an Aircraft Maintenance Stand
Which factors should we consider when choosing an aircraft maintenance stand?
The following are important considerations when selecting an aircraft maintenance stand:
- Type of aircraft involved
- Types of maintenance tasks your crews will perform
- Frequency of use
- Operating environment
- Size of the load the stand must support
- Facility layout, including space limitations
- Safety features required
- Whether the unit will be used stand-alone or as a modular component
- Relevant regulatory requirements
- Any unique requirements
How do we know if we need a custom stand or a pre-fabricated stand?
Custom work stands are commonly used in the aerospace industry because they’re tailored to a particular aircraft model or type. The vendor will custom-design and manufacture a work stand that meets exacting specifications— reflecting complex geometries and sensitive instrumentation, for example—in compliance with all relevant regulations. However, in some instances a pre-fabricated stand might be sufficient for your needs. A pre-fabricated stand is also available immediately in most cases, whereas a custom stand will take longer to procure.
Which material is the best choice for our aircraft maintenance stand?
The choice of material depends on your needs and the environment in which you’ll use the stand. Aluminum is a great choice for portable maintenance work stands because it’s lightweight, yet durable and sturdy. It’s corrosion- and rust-resistant, making it ideal for use outdoors, in high humidity, or in other harsh environments. And it’s easily cleaned with soap and water or a mild cleaning solution. Some organizations opt for steel—whether carbon, stainless, or galvanized—because it provides good durability, strength, and load-bearing capacity. Much like aluminum, both stainless and galvanized steel are suitable for corrosive environments, including humid climates.
What safety features should we look for in an aircraft maintenance stand?
The proper aircraft maintenance stand should include a variety of fall protection features. Look for a platform with a non-skid surface, sturdy guardrails, 42-inch railings in accordance with OSHA regulations, and four-inch kickplates.
If we need an aircraft maintenance stand that’s easy to maneuver, what features should we prioritize?
A lightweight material, such as aluminum, is typically the best choice for a portable or mobile maintenance stand. Swivel wheels and lockable casters also improve the stand’s maneuverability by making it easier to roll the stand yet ensure stability once it’s set in position.
How can we ensure our aircraft maintenance stand provides sufficient load capacity?
Pre-fabricated work stands are designed for specific load capacities or ranges, while a custom work stand is tailored to your specific capacity needs. It’s best to consult with an aircraft maintenance stand expert at JE Technology Solutions to discuss your load capacity requirements.
How can we obtain the best value in an aircraft maintenance stand?
Many factors weigh into the value of your aircraft maintenance stand. A durable stand provides longevity and reduces the need for frequent replacement, while a well-designed stand reduces your maintenance costs and the total cost of ownership over the life of the product. Value also encompasses your service experience, including the ability to get quick and accurate answers to your after-sale questions and easy access to replacement parts from the original vendor. A best-in-class partner should offer an optional annual inspection service to ensure your maintenance stand remains in good operating condition and maintains compliance with applicable regulations.
Aircraft Maintenance Stand Customization
Can we obtain a maintenance stand customized to a specific aircraft model?
An experienced aircraft maintenance stand partner like JE Technology Solutions will have the capability to customize a work stand to a particular aircraft model. For instance, JE Technology regularly designs and manufactures maintenance stands customized for military aircraft like the FA-18, F-22, MH-60, AH-64, P-8, and many more; commercial aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus 320 and 330; and private aircraft and business jets.
Which customizable features do you offer in your aircraft maintenance stands?
JE Technology often customizes the size and height of our maintenance stands to meet the specifications of particular aircraft models. We also offer a variety of integrated features, such as electrical or pneumatic power, toolboxes and other types of tool storage, and lighting. We can even build in shelving specifically designed to hold laptops or other electronics.
Can you customize a work stand to a specific spacecraft?
JE Technology recognizes that commercial spacecraft need to be mission-ready, but they’re challenging to maintain. We customize maintenance stands to ensure technicians can work around unique geometries and access hard-to-reach, sensitive instrumentation and other spacecraft components. JE Technology also offers both vertical and horizontal integration work stands specifically suited to spacecraft.
Can you customize an aircraft work stand with ergonomic features?
A variety of ergonomic features will improve worker comfort while using an aircraft maintenance stand. For instance, the stand should be adjustable to the heights of any aircraft it will be used with. JE Technology can also add sliders with rubber padding—giving crews easy access to an aircraft’s components while avoiding damage—along with shelving, laptop trays, lighting, or nearly anything else needed to improve the stand’s ergonomics.
Need a maintenance stand that fits your exact requirements?
Connect with our team for a personalized quote and see how JE Technology can support your mission.
Choosing an Aircraft Maintenance Stand Partner
How can an aircraft maintenance stand partner help us comply with relevant regulations?
A best-in-class maintenance stand provider will stay current on the regulations that impact your organization, by monitoring the regulatory landscape and leveraging their relationships with professionals at various agencies that set standards and requirements. A vendor that specializes in the aerospace industry will be well-versed in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, along with generally applicable regulations set forth by OSHA and ANSI. They’ll apply those insights to the recommendation and design of your maintenance stand solution; perform a detailed review of your product specifications before production begins, including a review against regulatory requirements; and test your first-article assembly for compliance prior to shipment.
What processes should our partner follow to ensure the quality of our aircraft maintenance stand?
Your aircraft maintenance stand provider should be ISO-certified and follow rigorous quality assurance processes at every step to ensure the highest quality solution. Whether at receipt of raw materials, after materials are measured and cut, during the CNC or welding process, after assembly, and prior to delivery, ISO-certified processes should guide every staff member’s work. Your partner also should perform in-process audits and material certification surveys as part of their effort to certify that your stand has been manufactured to your specifications.
Which certifications should an aircraft maintenance stand partner hold?
A reputable provider that designs and manufactures work stands for aircraft maintenance should be ISO 9001:2015 certified. It is also beneficial if the vendor employs welders certified by the American Welding Society and employees who are certified in SolidWorks.
Which industry standards should an aircraft maintenance partner adhere to?
A best-in-class provider that designs and manufactures aircraft maintenance stands should comply with all relevant industry standards and regulations, such as those set by OSHA, ASTM, ANSI, ITAR, or the FAA.
What should we look for in an aircraft maintenance stand partner?
Choosing the right partner is vital to obtaining a high-quality aircraft maintenance stand that meets your needs and provides long-term value. Look for a partner that:
- Has a proven track record of delivering quality work stands to organizations in the aerospace industry
- Brings the in-house design and engineering capabilities to customize a work stand to meet your requirements
- Provides design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and evaluation capabilities all under one roof, for efficiency and speed of service
- Takes time to understand the operational challenges you need an aircraft maintenance stand to address and the goals you want to achieve
- Keeps up with the regulations your aircraft maintenance stand must comply with
- Makes it easy to do business together, reducing your time commitment
- Has a reputation for delivering quality products, always on time
- Is ISO 9001:2015 certified
Why do organizations in the aerospace industry partner with JE Technology Solutions?
Founded in 2004, JE Technology Solutions is the recognized leader in providing work stands, platforms, and other ground support equipment (GSE) that equips technicians to maintain aircraft and spacecraft, safely and efficiently. Highly respected commercial and government organizations around the world partner with us to keep their aircraft in service and their military fleets mission-ready. We offer both custom and pre-fabricated work stands and other GSE for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and complex spacecraft, including platforms specific to certain aircraft models. With design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and evaluation capabilities under one roof at our Florida facility, JE Technology is uniquely equipped to provide the highest quality aircraft maintenance stands, manufactured to exacting specifications, compliant with applicable regulations, always on time.
Aircraft Maintenance Stand Procurement & After-Sale Service
Will we need to go through a difficult process to procure the right aircraft maintenance stand?
JE Technology follows a streamlined, repeatable process that makes it easy to place an order and simplifies your involvement, while ensuring a high-quality product that meets your requirements. We work closely with you upfront to understand your needs, then create a vision for your aircraft maintenance stand. And we communicate with you at every step, including the preliminary design review, critical design review, and manufacturing.
How can we be sure we’re getting an aircraft maintenance stand that meets our needs?
Your vendor should take a problem-solving approach to determining the optimal aircraft maintenance stand for your specific requirements. JE Technology conducts a thorough needs assessment, which typically includes a site visit to capture measurements and understand your environment. Then we develop a concept and quote for your approval. We also obtain your input and feedback at several stages of the design process, including the preliminary design review and critical design review. We don’t begin manufacturing your stand until you’ve signed off on the critical design.
Which factors affect the lead time for obtaining an aircraft maintenance stand?
The size of the aircraft and the type of stand needed are the primary factors that impact lead time. For example, a full wraparound work stand will take longer to design and produce than a simpler unit. A JE Technology Solutions representative can estimate your project’s lead time based on your needs.
How will you deliver our aircraft maintenance stand?
When you purchase a work stand from JE Technology for delivery within the US, we typically ship it via flatbed truck. If the delivery destination is outside the US, we will ship your work stand via container. Our engineering team creates the optimal shipping design based on your stand’s size and configuration. For example, larger work stands might be shipped in multiple sections. Regardless of the transportation mode, we maintain a highly reliable supply chain with drivers and other suppliers who are carefully vetted to ensure your product arrives safely and in good condition.
How will an aircraft maintenance stand vendor assist with our installation?
When you purchase a work stand from JE Technology, our experienced assemblers will coordinate the installation with our main point of contact at your organization and oversee the installation process on site. Once the stand is installed, they will provide your team with training on how to use and maintain the stand properly.
Do you provide our crews with training on how to use our new aircraft maintenance stand?
JE Technology delivers training at the same time as your installation occurs. We provide a detailed operation and maintenance manual and review the key points with your crews during their training session.
Do you offer after-sale service for our aircraft maintenance stand?
After you accept delivery of your JE Technology aircraft maintenance stand, you’ll continue to work with the same team for any after-sale service. Unlike vendors that refer you to a third party, JE Technology can provide replacement parts for your aircraft maintenance stand directly. We also offer an optional annual inspection service to ensure your work stand is still meeting applicable safety regulations and is in good working condition. If we identify a problem, we can conduct the necessary repair work ourselves.
Leading commercial and government organizations in the aerospace sector turn to JE Technology Solutions for industrial fall protection and industrial work stands that help crews maintain aircraft and spacecraft safely and efficiently, keeping their fleets in service. We offer custom and pre-fabricated aircraft maintenance stands, along with a wide range of other ground support equipment (GSE) ideally suited for aerospace applications.
JE Technology’s Florida facility brings together all the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and evaluation services needed to provide the highest quality work stands, always compliant with applicable regulations and delivered on time.
Contact JE Technology Solutions to discuss your maintenance stand needs and learn about our customized solutions.
