Weigel - TrackJet® ..... at the Airport Show

Many visitors received at the Weigel Booth

The Airport Show in Dubai took place from 31 May - 2 June in the Airport Expo Centre, close to the airport. Weigel-TrackJet®, innovative market leader in Ultra High Water Pressure cleaning systems for the removal of rubber and paint markings on runways, aprons, Taxiways, AGL and road retexturing was presented by a booth within the German Pavillion.

It is now almost a tradition, that many international visitors storm the Weigel booth and this occurred again on all 3 days of the exhibition.

The booth personnel, headed again by Dieter Pade, were able to report the results of TrackJet® operations showing that nearly 100% of rubber and paint markings are removed without damaging the texture of the runway. They could also prove that the TrackJet® applications increase friction values by between 0.35 and 0.4, thus increasing air traffic safety double as good as our competitors.
Many visitors were immediately interested and ultimately impressed by the system as a result of more intense conversations about the overall benefits. For example, the lower number of required cleaning cycles and the longer runway service life achieved with the gentle, non-damaging TrackJet® method combine to reduce maintenance costs dramatically. There are also minimized staff costs because just one person operates one machine for the entire shift. Lower costs for the disposal of the removed material are also realised because only a small vol- ume of water with no chemical additives is used.

In addition, the Weigel team were able to greet many long-term business partners, acquaintances and friends, who used the opportunity to discuss projects in person. They affirmed their satisfaction with TrackJet® and in particular that the highest possible degree of availability of the runway, taxiway and apron areas is enabled, even while flight operations were being performed, thanks to the need for very short warning times for departing the runways. The system can vacate the working areas within 30 seconds and leaves a dry, residue-free traffic area ready for immediate and unlimited use.

They praised the environment-friendliness of the system, due to low water and fuel consumption. In fact, TrackJet® requires only 10-20% of the water and only 30% of the fuel consumed by traditional methods. Another advantage of the TrackJet® system is that many different applications are possible, e.g.: cleaning out sealing joints, concrete renovation, de-coating of steel and concrete areas, cleaning of apron areas and oil spill removal.

Another safety critical topic is that TrackJet® uses 2 engines while in operation. Reason for this technical advantage is that the truck engine (idling while in rubber removal mode)is ready to move the truck off the runway if the Caterpillar engine - driving the truck while in operation - might have a technical failure. Trusting only 1 engine for the driving and during work will create a big problem to get the truck off the runway i.e. the runway is closed for a certain time for operation. Although TrackJet® uses 2 engines the fuel consummation is lower than with any other competitor on the market.

A cost effective way for airports is to use a vehicle which already exists at the airport e.g. Mercedes Unimog or snow removal vehicles in the northern hemispheres.

Much attention was directed towards the latest development from Weigel, the BudJet, which has been o the market for a year now. BudJet is a machine for the removal of rubber and paint markings based on the TrackJet® technology. It offers the ideal solution for users on a low budget, who nevertheless don’t want to forego the efficiency and benefits of systems from Weigel. It can also be used on any grooved or un-grooved runway surfaces, including asphalt, AntiSkid, Petro Grip and concrete. Furthermore, there is no damage to grooving, runway light- ing systems, markings or joint seals as a result of applying BudJet.

Transport configuration    Working configuration

In summary, Weigel’s presence at the Dubai airport exhibition was an astounding success and appealed to new clientele as well as established business partners. The team would therefore like to thank all visitors to the booth, who helped to ensure these achievements.