Drawing on research data gathered in the field, Spika has designed and fielded a new generation of aircraft maintenance platforms that are receiving praise from military and civilian users - the family of Universal Maintenance Stands (UMS).

As today's military is transforming and restructuring into a more modular, deployable, and effective organization, maintenance stands in Spika's UMS Family are lighter, more maneuverable, universal, and quicker to use than the past generation of stands. Our stands are easily palletized and deployed, which is demanded by the military/joint environment, as well as the civilian industry.

The Universal Maintenance Stands are free-standing modules, capable of being used alone or quickly linked to other modules to form longer, larger work platform systems. Constructed of 6000 series aluminum, these lightweight platforms offer unmatched stability and durability without the weight and corrosion concerns or the cumbersome maneuverability of the old B-Series stands.

Spika's family of Universal Maintenance Stands range in working platform height from 32 inches, which is ideal for engine and transmission access of the OH-58, up to 126 inches, which is perfect for top-side wing access of the C-130s. Footprints may be as small as 36 inches by 48 inches, or as large as five feet wide by 16 feet long for some fixed wing applications.

By offering varying heights and configurations, such as deeper "C" frames that allow over-reaching of obstacles, or bi-level handrails that easily adjust in height to accommodate aircraft component interference, the UMS's can be used on practically any aircraft, fixed or rotary wing.

The UMS Series are all styled around a common design, utilizing manual linear adjusters to easily raise or lower the platforms over a 12- or 24-inch range. All offer industrial-duty casters with high quality brakes and indexing pins, and come standard with industrial coated safety rails. Spika’s Quick-Latch system provides for instantaneous coupling of stairs with the deck. Not only do these platforms increase efficiency of task performance while occupying a minimal footprint, they provide worker safety that meets or exceeds the standards of OSHA 1910 Subpart D.

The advantages of the Spika Family of UMS's over other options are numerous:

Once these UMS stands are introduced into a maintenance facility, they quickly become a critical tool that is constantly in use. Spika listened to the needs of the aircraft maintainers in the field and developed the ideal stand to make their job easier. We're doing our part to facilitate the move to leaner, quicker, more effective military and civilian productions requirements.