Aircraft Trolleys - good or bad??

[JoeD]

Hi all

I am at Uni (also PPL) and we have been asked to come up with a business plan for a new product.

I said what about aircraft trolleys to the rest of my team - heavy, sharp corners, get under people's feet etc. but they're not sure.

I just wondered if anyone would prefer a new design of trolleys eg lighter, easier to use etc. or are you happy with the ones that already exist??

Thanks in advance.

Joe.

[Kanoknuahaha]

I have this vison of a new trolley with a jump-seat attached on each side, pedals ( same - both sides ) and perhaps one of this clasic bells on top, to wake everybody up when passing through the cabin. I want it in army green and...aaaaaaaa....big sticker on sides - CABIN CREW FOR LIFE!!
Yeah, could be lighter and rounder...yeah,why not! Good idea! Now get back to the drawing board and let's make it happen,maaaan!:ok:

[keel beam]

I have this vison of a new trolley with a jump-seat attached on each side, pedals ( same - both sides ) and perhaps one of this clasic bells on top, to wake everybody up when passing through the cabin.


Like one of those "Stop me and buy one"

Have to serve ice cream, yum yum ....

[Domestos]

I would love to see a meal cart that actually locks into a set of tracks in the middle of the aisle....and it slowly moves itself down the cabin as you work...requiring no effort to push/pull the cart. Having a rail track also eliminates carts being smashed into seat backs or arm rests, it would also stop the cart from lifting in the event of turbulence as the whole thing would be locked onto it.

[BarryW]

Just remember that the size/shape of the compartment is decided by the width of the isle and galley, the size of the trays, and the storage compartment in which they are kept.

From a structural point of the trolley needs to be strong enough to withstand the loads from the catering companies, the not so gentle people who take the "empty" trolleys from the a/c.

My 2c worth

[TightSlot]

I visited a galley design and construction company in Europe during work on a new aircraft type some years ago - I'd suggest that you do the same, it was fascinating.

The interior size and shape of the cart is actually driven by the spec of the contents: From memory, there are three standard design sizes - KSSU, Atlas and BA's own bespoke (this may have changed). For example, you can't fit KSSU trays and equipment into Atlas boxes and carts, and vice versa. If you're going to change to a unique dimension set, you'll need to persuade airline customers of the benefits, as complexity (therefore cost) is being added. Overall galley dimensions, structure strength and maximum weights tend to follow on from the carts (or the other way around) so further re-design might be required.

I visited the testing area. A very nice, very elderly chap in a stained white overall dropped a loaded cart from 2 metres, set fire to something inside and generally knocked seven bells out of the cart. He then politely explained that despite all their best efforts to test and simulate everything, there is no known destructive force on earth like a 5' 8" stewardess. He said this wearily, but with some admiration and affection - I liked him.


BTW - "Carts", never "Trollies"

[CD]

Great topic! Here are a few additional considerations that you might explore for additional information. The Society of Automotive Engineers, Aerospace Council has a Cabin Safety Provisions Committee. Several of the documents that have been developed relate to galley design and are being incorporated in TSO's and ETSO's in order to standardize the equipment throughout the industry. Here are a few of the relevant publications, if you can get a copy of them:

ARP695 - Galley System Design and Installation Criteria (http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=STD&PROD_CD=ARP695D)
AS8056 - Minimum Design and Performance of Airplane Galley In-Flight Carts, Containers, and Associated Components (http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=STD&PROD_CD=AS8056)
AS8057 - Minimum Performance of Galley Insert Equipment, Electrical/Pressurized (http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=STD&PROD_CD=AS8057)

Documents in development:

ARP8058 - Thermal Requirements for Airplane Inflight Food Storage Carts (http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=STD&HIER_CD=TEAS9B&PROD_CD=ARP8058&WIP_SW=YES)

For more information on the Committee:

Cabin Safety Provisions Committee (S-9) - Public Forum (http://www.sae.org/servlets/works/committeeHome.do?comtID=TEAS9)

Here is the link to the FAA TSO for galley carts (I'm not sure where EASA is their their ETSO at this time):

TSO-C175 Galley Cart, Containers and Associated Components (http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgTSO.nsf/0/9BAEB8ACE07BEBD486257007005ABF42?OpenDocument)

[carlfino]

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the ATLAS standard for galley equipment?
Thanks,

[cargoattendant]

I'm not sure in terms of design but I've always thought a Heavy Duty recycled plastic would be a light weight green idea.
Even better if airlines gave us a cart for recycling and a cart for general rubbish!

[AirborneSoon]

I'd like one with actual refridgeration, so I didn't have to give myself frostbite icing the thing or serve warm drinks because it was a hot day and dry ice evaporated before it cooled anything. :ugh: It would be good to have the refridgeration unit installed in the back galley and the carts refridgerate while they are stowed and then are just as per usual when in use.

[Havana]

Carlfino - A company called Driessen make most of the meal carts for Europe, suggest you contact them for specs.
If not try De Ster who make the plastic trays etc.

Airbourne Soon - Aircraft galleys can be chilled (the ones with the folding doors) it depends on the spec requested by the airline. Some meal carts have vents in the doors, this is so the chilled air can get into the carts. Sounds like your airline did not request the chillers to be installed.

[dizzylizzy]

I love the idea of carts on tracks that lock into place every so many rows. Also out with carts with bad wheels, its worse than a shopping trolley with bad wheels, hurts my back.

Speaking of carts, what do we think of the latest 'light weight' carts that are slowing being introduced throughout the Q network?

[Boomerang_Butt]

I've always wondered why we have to have those huge wheels... why not those small, swivelly ones that go 360 degrees (like on those really expensive suitcases!) and how about a clip-type thing to hold coffee pots on during turbulence :8

[dfv8]

Speaking as an Engineer, (motorsport) the reason carts have large wheels is to make it easier for you to move them as there's less rolling resistance.

[Silverwingclub]

I worked in BA Catering during the early 90's. BA's own bespoke setup (ACE -Aircraft Catering Equipment) came in around the mid 1980's and was introduced to stop other airlines nicking all our equipment. It seems to have worked as it's still in operation and must have saved a fortune.

[girtbar]

I don't know if thats all true, we have our a/c's regularly catered with other airlines trolleys, atlas boxes and tea pots.

Just the other day we had (all bar one) BA teapots, several BA, Air Tours, Dan Air and Britannia Atlas Boxes, mixed in with our own.

Some of the older a/c we had when you looked in the oven it was like looking at rings on a tree, each oven tray was different like it read back its previous owners!

I wish there was more surface space on the top to arrange everything. Some trolleys have small metal trays directly under the top, before the drawers, but these are usually missing or bent so can't be pulled out, and when you pull it out if you place anything on them they just fall down!

Above all though, i just wish for CLEAN equipment, the trolleys are disgusting along with the drawers, atlas boxes etc. My hands always have dark smudges from the trolleys, i'm filthy by days end!

[EYXW]

I believe you'll see ATLAS on BA 737-500/300 (what's left of them) but all the others are bespoke - any you see around must be very old school!

[Been Accounting]

I know that Airbus is working on "SPace Innovative Catering Equipment " = SPICE

Some pictures here www.airbus.com/spice/index.html (SPICE)

Space Innovative Catering Equipment concept (http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/innovation/spice/index.html)

And some text here
SPICE - Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/innovation/spice/spice_faq.html)

[JoeD]

Thanks for everyone's comments, there is a lot of useful content put forward.

I thought it was a half decent idea but the others have mainly forced me to go with this other product so I dont think we going to pursue it now but thanks to everyone who responded,

and Kanoknuahaha - if you have any spare cash laying around I'm all ears but Im doing Aerospace Engineering not business so you'll need to cover a bit of that side as well.....