Aviramp helps protect Japanese ramps in typhoon season

Aviramp engineers have designed a bespoke solution to help a Japanese airport stay safe during typhoon season.

Typhoons are typically at their worst in Japan during August and September, but the typhoon season itself can last from May to November.

During that time, freestanding structures at airports are at great danger of being damaged by the storm-force winds, and of causing real safety hazards unless they can be stored securely.

That’s why we have been working with a client on a small island called Shimoji, which is in the Okinawa Prefecture, to modify an AHM913 diesel Continental ramp so that it can be brought inside as soon as warnings are issued.

We’ve lowered the roof so it can be stored safely inside an existing building and fitted a Japanese Yanmar engine as well.

Aviramp chief executive Graham Corfield said: “Our expert engineers quickly found a way to modify the height of the roof so that it could be stored safely when the storm warnings are raised.

“We are always delighted to work with customers to design Aviramps which meet their exact requirements and look forward to the ramp at Shimoji having a long and safe operational life.”

Aviramp is a current holder of the Queen’s Award for International Trade.

Aviramp boarding ramps and bridges are used when an aircraft is parked on a remote stand and offer a safe, dignified alternative to stairs and separate ambulifts for wheelchair users and those passengers with reduced mobility.

The low-angled ramps are fitted with a unique non-slip surface to improve safety for all passengers and help improve turnaround times and efficiency for airlines, airports and ground handlers.