When most people think about airports, they picture planes soaring overhead, passengers rushing through terminals, or luggage zipping along conveyors. What often goes unseen, however, is the critical equipment on the ground that makes every flight possible – Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
From tow bars and air stairs to power units and fueling rigs, GSE keeps aircraft serviced, safe, and ready for takeoff. But behind this heavy-duty machinery lies an unsung hero, the fasteners holding it all together. At Omni Fasteners, we know that even the smallest bolt or nut can make the biggest difference in performance and safety.
Airport ground support equipment faces some of the harshest conditions in the transportation industry:
- Constant Vibration: Tow tractors and baggage carts rack up hours of service daily, and the shaking forces can work fasteners loose if they’re not designed correctly.
- Heavy Loads: GSE handles tremendous weight, from luggage containers to fully fueled aircraft. Every fastener must be capable of withstanding extreme stress.
- Environmental Exposure: Jet fuel, de-icing chemicals, hydraulic fluids, and road salt can wreak havoc on metals. Add in temperature swings from summer heat to winter snow, and corrosion resistance is non-negotiable.
- Safety-Critical Applications: A failed bolt in a tow bar or fueling system isn’t just an inconvenience, it can mean delays, safety risks, and compliance issues.
That’s why choosing the right fastener for GSE is about more than convenience, it’s about keeping airports running safely and on schedule. The choice of fastener material has a direct impact on how GSE performs:
- Carbon & Alloy Steel: Known for strength and affordability. Ideal for structural applications where loads are high, but coatings or platings are often needed for corrosion protection.
- Stainless Steel: Provides excellent corrosion resistance, making it a top choice for equipment exposed to moisture, salt, or chemicals. Grades like 304 and 316 are commonly used in GSE.
- Aluminum: Lightweight and naturally corrosion-resistant, aluminum fasteners are sometimes used where reducing overall weight is critical.
- Specialty Alloys (Inconel, Monel, Titanium): For high-heat or highly corrosive environments, specialty metals provide superior performance, though at higher cost.
- Plating and finishing, such as zinc, galvanizing, or passivation, add another layer of protection to help fasteners survive in demanding airport environments.
Ground support equipment is often built to FAA, ASTM, SAE, or military specifications, which means that fasteners used must meet strict requirements for quality and traceability. At Omni, we provide not only the hardware itself but also the compliance documentation, from DFARS certifications to FAIRs and PPAPs, to ensure every fastener is in compliance with specifications.
Fasteners are used across every piece of ground support equipment:
- Tow Bars: High-strength bolts and pins that withstand the push and pull of moving aircraft.
- Air Stairs & Boarding Ramps: Stainless fasteners that resist weathering and hold up under constant foot traffic.
- Ground Power Units (GPUs): Vibration-resistant fasteners that secure housings, control panels, and engine mounts.
- Fueling & Service Rigs: Corrosion-resistant components that protect against fuel, chemicals, and moisture.
In each case, the performance of the equipment, and the safety of those who use it, depends on choosing the right fastening solution.
At Omni Fasteners, we don’t just sell parts, we engineer solutions. With access to a wide range of metals, coatings, and specialty manufacturing, we help GSE builders and operators select fasteners that deliver long-term performance. Whether it’s a short production run of custom parts or a long-term managed inventory program, we provide:
- Specialty fasteners built for harsh conditions
- Expertise in metals and coatings for corrosion resistance
- Compliance documentation to meet FAA, defense, and customer standards
- Speed and scalability to keep airports and OEMs on schedule
Airports can’t function without reliable ground support equipment, and ground support equipment can’t function without the right fasteners. As air travel continues to grow worldwide, the need for safe, durable, and compliant fastening solutions has never been greater. At Omni Fasteners, we’re proud to support GSE manufacturers and operators with precision-engineered solutions that keep aircraft, and people, moving safely. Talk to our team today about fasteners for the aerospace industry.