Automated aircraft stand checks before arrival
A-PAC — Automated Pre-Arrival Control — checks aircraft stands for FOD and other clearance hazards before the next aircraft arrives. It combines camera-based checks with automatic stand-clearance updates to the integrated A-VDGS, enabling docking guidance to be activated without sending personnel to the stand for a manual clearance check.
FOD checks resume when an aircraft leaves the stand and continue until the next aircraft arrives. They pause while an aircraft occupies the stand.
Check passenger boarding bridge position, misplaced vehicles and equipment, and objects exceeding configured height limits in defined areas.
Send regular stand-clearance updates through the existing A-VDGS integration to support activation before aircraft arrival.
How A-PAC fits into stand operations
Monitor the stand between aircraft movements. A-PAC remains running throughout the operation. FOD checks pause when an aircraft occupies the stand and resume after it leaves, continuing until the next arrival.
Review and resolve alarms. When FOD is detected, the stand is reported as “not clear”. The operator reviews the alarms and arranges removal where needed. Depending on the airport, A-PAC can be operated by Turn Coordinators, ground handlers or apron operations teams.
VDGS integration. A-PAC integrates with most VDGS systems and automatically communicates stand-clearance status. Additional integrations can be developed as required.
Use suitable camera infrastructure. The system uses a wide-angle camera and a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. Existing cameras can be reused when they meet ArgosAI’s requirements. Camera suitability and compatibility with the airport’s docking guidance system are reviewed for each project.
What A-PAC checks
Checks are configured for the stand and its operational requirements.
Automatic stand-clearance updates
A-PAC automatically sends regular stand-clearance updates to the integrated VDGS. When the configured checks are satisfied, it reports the stand as clear, enabling docking guidance activation without an on-site manual clearance check.