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Check out most up-to-date airport equipment publications and online magazines

Find out what is going on in the airline and airport equipment and supplies industry by keeping up on the latest online publications.

I recommend: Read this month's issue of Airport Business Magazine to find out about the latest airport equipment and software. Ground Support Worldwide not only provides you a publication full of interesting articles, but it also gives you a directory of airport equipment and supplies providers to tap into for your airport. Airport Magazine is an award winning magazine targeted at airport industry executives, and Air Transport World Magazine offers you an "Aircraft and Equipment Channel," which includes an extensive list of links to manufacturers and suppliers.

Find out about the latest airport security equipment technology

See how you can update your airport with the most current airport security equipment and screening capabilities.

I recommend: Check out the wide variety of airport security options that aviation giant Boeing offers the industry. See how SAIC is helping lead the field in airport security. They offer risk and vulnerability assessments, smart cards and biometrics, information security (INFOSEC) as well as weapon, explosive, drug, and cargo detection systems.

Learn about the variety of airport equipment available to your facility

Improve your airport surface management, air surveillance and airspace management with improved airport supplies.

I recommend: Find out about airport ground support and airport equipment supplier solutions from Airport Innovation. Find out about Federal Aviation Administration Airport Engineering Airport Safety and Standards information. Check out the TREPEL freight and passenger handling airport equipment.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If budget is an issue, consider purchasing used airport equipment as a cost saving measure. Before you do, though, make sure that your reseller offers a suitable warranty on the item.

Guide to Airport Equipment and Supplies

How to find airport equipment manufacturers and distributors of the supplies you need

By Lesley Graybeal

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Get full airport security equipment for facilities and grounds

One aspect of airport equipment and supplies that many people don't notice is the level of security necessary to keep unauthorized personnel outside of airport grounds and operational facilities. Even more important than screening passengers, securing personnel and facilities is one of the most basic and important duties of any airport supplier providing the latest innovations in security systems.

I recommend: GPS Perimeter manufacturers airport security equipment designed to monitor the perimeter of the grounds and facilities for intruders, and allow customers to request product information online. Bioscrypt is a leading biometrics manufacturer that uses innovative diagnostics to authorize personnel on site. You can search products online either by industry or by type of security system needed.

Look for airport security equipment and systems for screening checkpoints

The most prominent and the highest grossing type of airport equipment and supplies is checkpoint screening systems. Airport security checkpoints include screening by X-ray and metal detector, and also can include explosives detection and biometrics as well. Many manufacturers now offer complete system solutions so that you can purchase a checkpoint package rather than individual pieces of equipment.

I recommend: L3 Communications and SAIC are two airport equipment manufacturers offering a range of screening products, from X-ray systems and metal detectors to complete checkpoint systems. SAIC additionally offers diagnostic services for your facility to determine what your security needs are and supply you with the necessary equipment.

Get additional airport supplies for facilities and grounds

Airport equipment and supplies also include a range of tools for routine airport maintenance and operations. An operational airport requires a number of common building maintenance supplies, as well as some specialized equipment such as runway lighting, gate equipment, and baggage handling and transport supplies.

I recommend: Advanced Airport Equipment and JBT AeroTech are two airport equipment manufacturers that are able to furnish facilities with the complete range of necessary products and supplies. You can get a quote on lighting, gate equipment, transport vehicles and other equipment at Advanced Airport Equipment, or find complete solutions for facility maintenance, ground support and baggage handling at JBT AeroTech.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for airport supplies for use in indoor facilities, keep in mind that a generic industrial supply manufacturer may be the best source for common facility maintenance and janitorial items. Use a specific airport supply manufacturer when looking for specialized items such as runway lighting and baggage trucks.

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Obtain education for airport maintenance

To find maintenance programs, you may want to look for an airport equipment company that provides the equipment used during maintenance. For example, an airport lighting company may provide educational information on how to maintain airfield lights. Another a way to gain the necessary education is to work with providers who specialize in training and education for airport jobs.

I recommend: Siemens Airfield Solutions host training seminars for airport maintenance and engineering. Its airport maintenance seminar provides information on airfield lighting and circuits. The Center for Lifelong Engineering Education (CLEE) offers a three-day class on maintenance for airport pavement, including information on airport equipment for paving. SpeedNews hosts a series of annual aviation supplies and equipment trade shows, good places to get up to speed on airport equipment.

Focus on education specific to airport security equipment

Security is a major issue for airports and requires specialized equipment and staff. The equipment used in airport security include conveyors to move luggage through airport screening equipment, metal detectors and other detection equipment. Training specific to airport security equipment may help you get a job working in the field.

I recommend: Reem Aviation Security Consultants provides training for airport security equipment including cargo equipment. Its training program works with airport supplies involved in the cargo process. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) offers a variety of educational materials dealing with airport security, including information on the equipment used for drug, weapon and cargo detection systems.

Learn about airport equipment and supplies for safety

Airport safety involves aspects from keeping passengers safe on ramps to preventing accidents on the runway. While some areas may overlap security, there are enough facets within the area of safety for there to be special training courses on it.

I recommend: The International Air Transport Association provides a variety of educational formats including self-study and instructor-led courses. It offers information on its Airports Safety Management Systems course. The Federal Aviation Administration formed the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team (FAASTeam) to provide courses on airport safety. Its catalog includes a class for runway safety.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider getting educational information on federal regulations for airport equipment to keep current with new laws, policies and standards for the industry.

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Runway lighting

The proper runway lighting is essential to help pilots differentiate between the long, flat stretch of an interstate highway or the proper landing space that is a runway. For this reason civilian airports are designated by green and white rotating beacon lights, while runways and taxiways are designated by a series of fixed lights of different colors.

I recommend: Virtual Skies gives a detailed explanation of how runways are lit at the end of the airport design tutorial page.

Biometrics security

Biometrics security devices include facial recognition software and hardware, retinal and iris scanners, and fingerprint readers. Think of biometrics airport security devices as machines trained to recognize humans. They're a vital part of modern security and anti-terrorism efforts.

I recommend: findBIOMETRICS.com explains the evolution of biometric iris scanners and how they've been used in airports.

Behavioral screening security equipment

Instead of your typical metal detector or X-ray machine, behavioral screening security equipment is used to measure your body's biological response to certain stimuli, thus revealing unconscious attitudes that might reveal a terrorist.

I recommend: CNN.com examines some of the cutting edge behavioral screening security equipment being used in Israeli airports.

Airport management software

Airlines manage and schedule their own comings and goings, subject to the approval of the airport management proper, through complex management and logistics software systems.

I recommend: Sabre Airline Solutions is a Texas-based software company that details how its management software serves airlines both large and small, while explaining the demands placed on such software by airport operation.

Full-body scanners

Full-body scanners or full-body X-ray machines use radio waves to paint a virtual picture of an airline passenger's naked body. While the intention is to highlight both metal and non-metal objects that may be dangerous, the machines have raised a furor of complaints about passengers' civil rights being violated by a virtual strip search.

I recommend: 10connects.com of Tampa Bay, Florida reports on the addition of a full-body scanner to the Tampa airport, how it works, and the reactions it provokes.

Baggage tractors and belt loaders

Airports host a variety of small mobile vehicles that move about the tarmac performing specific functions. Typically vehicles run on gasoline, but some electrics models are being introduced in an effort to be more environmentally friendly.

I recommend: Autoblog Green discusses how airport vehicles, including baggage tractors and belt loaders, are being converted to or replaced by electrical models in some airports.