The High Cost of Manual Wingwalking: Is It Time to Automate?

When it comes to ground operations, few practices are as routine—and as costly—as manual wingwalking. For mid and large-sized Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), the economic impact of this traditional safety protocol is becoming increasingly unsustainable. The question is no longer if automation should replace manual wingwalking—but when.

The Hidden Cost of Safety

Manual wingwalking is designed to prevent collisions between taxiing aircraft and ground obstacles. While this practice is essential for safety, the economic burden it places on FBOs is rarely discussed. At a typical FBO handling approximately 20 flight departures daily, manual wingwalking consumes around 400 man-hours per month. That translates to over $10,000 in monthly labor costs—the equivalent of 2.34 full-time employees.

These are skilled personnel whose time could be better spent on higher-value activities like customer service, maintenance coordination, or safety compliance. Redirecting this workforce could significantly enhance operational efficiency and bottom-line performance.

The Risk You Can’t Afford

The financial risk doesn’t end with labor costs. The possibility of hangar rash—minor but costly aircraft damage during ground operations—adds another layer of exposure. With a $50,000 insurance deductible, even a single incident can spike your annual operational costs by as much as 50%. Worse yet, recurrent hangar rash events can drive up your premiums and erode insurer confidence.

Time Lost Is Money Lost

Manual wingwalking isn’t just expensive—it’s slow. Each escorted tow or taxi requires coordination, scheduling, and physical manpower. During peak operational hours, this inefficiency becomes a bottleneck, affecting aircraft turnaround times and, ultimately, customer satisfaction. As FBOs face mounting pressure to improve service speed and reduce delays, clinging to manual processes is no longer viable.

The Case for Automated Wingwalking

Imagine replacing manual wingwalking with automated detection systems and AI-powered monitoring platforms. These systems use computer vision, GPS tracking, and predictive analytics to oversee aircraft movements and ensure obstacle clearance—without human intervention.

The benefits include:

• Reduced labor costs: Save thousands monthly by reallocating staff.

• Faster turnaround times: Automation streamlines taxi and towing.

• Enhanced safety: AI doesn’t fatigue, overlook details, or get distracted.

• Fewer insurance claims: Continuous surveillance reduces hangar rash risk.

  
  

A New Chapter in Ground Safety

Automation isn't just a future vision—it's happening now. Innovations in aviation technology are redefining how FBOs operate, and wingwalking is ripe for disruption. As one of the most repetitive, labor-intensive, and high-risk tasks in ground operations, automating it could dramatically shift your FBO’s financial trajectory.

Airtrek: Leading the Change

Stay tuned as Airtrek prepares to unveil a groundbreaking automated solution for wingwalking. Designed to enhance safety, streamline operations, and slash costs, our platform is set to transform how your ramp crews manage risk—without sacrificing safety.

Ready to stop burning man-hours on outdated practices? Contact Airtrek today and discover how automation can protect your margins—and your aircraft.