Ground support equipment (GSE) is the support equipment found at an airport, usually on the apron, the servicing area by the terminal. This equipment is used to service the aircraft between flights. As the name suggests, ground support equipment is there to support the operations of aircraft whilst on the ground. The role of this equipment generally involves ground power operations, aircraft mobility, and cargo/passenger loading operations.
A single dolly for an aircraft cargo Unit Load Device, next to a group of dollies for loose luggage.
Those on the left are dollies from Cathay Pacific for baggage unit load devices (ULDs). Those on the right are dollies for loose baggage.
A large dolly holding two aircraft cargo Unit Load Devices for American Airlines.
Dolly for unit load devices
The airport apron, apron, flight line, or ramp is the area of an airport where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, boarded, or maintained. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway. However, the apron is not usually open to the general public, and a permit may be required to gain access. An apron's designated areas for aircraft parking are called aircraft stands.
The apron area of Vienna International Airport
Airbus A380-800 operated by Qatar Airways on apron outside Heathrow Terminal 4 with jet bridges and a wide range of ground handling equipment around such as aircraft container, pallet loader, ULD, jet air starter, belt loader, pushback tug, catering vehicles, and dollies.
The apron at Anguilla Wallblake Airport clogged with business jets
