Using Approved Tools and Ground Support Equipment for Maintenance
IFA Comment: IFA agrees that using GSE or tools that are not approved suppliers is to take unnecessary risks in aircraft maintenance and operations.
Special tools or Ground Support Equipment (GSE) may be required to perform some maintenance tasks. Airbus provides a list of approved suppliers for GSE or tools in the Tools and Equipment Manual (TEM). GSE or tools from suppliers that are not listed in the TEM may be offered to Operators and maintenance organizations as alternatives. However, these alternative GSE or tools may not always be designed or manufactured to meet the technical, quality, and safety requirements of Airbus.
This article describes events where the use of unapproved GSE or tools led to serious incidents. It explains why it is important to only use GSE or tools from approved suppliers to ensure safe aircraft maintenance and operations.
