In aviation maintenance, ground support equipment (GSE)—such as aircraft jacks and lifting slings—is commonly used to lift, stabilize, and support aircraft during inspections and servicing. These tools help maintenance teams carry out their work efficiently and can contribute to managing risk for both personnel and equipment. Because this equipment is used frequently and may be exposed to environmental elements, organizations often consider periodic evaluation to better understand its ongoing condition.
Many maintenance programs incorporate routine load testing as part of their equipment management strategy. In some cases, manufacturers might recommend testing at defined intervals, while other organizations establish internal policies that include periodic evaluation as an added layer of oversight.
Why Load Testing Matters
Load testing can help provide insight into how lifting devices appear to be performing at the time of evaluation. It helps support several objectives, including but not limited to:
- Quality assurance: Contributing to internal safety and reliability efforts by helping identify potential concerns before equipment is returned to service.
- Manufacturer recommendations: Assisting clients in addressing testing intervals suggested by equipment manufacturers.
- Liability management: Offering documentation that equipment has been evaluated by an independent laboratory.
Efficiency, Consultation, and Customization
At Applied Technical Services (ATS), we provide load testing services for ground support equipment used by many types of organizations, including those operating corporate and small-jet aircraft. We also support customers across various industries with similar testing needs.
A typical evaluation includes data acquisition (such as load-versus-time measurements) and photographic documentation of observed conditions during the test. Depending on the client’s requirements, load testing may involve methods such as:

Learn more about our full list of load testing standards and capabilities.
The ATS Approach: Helping Clients Maintain Readiness
By tailoring testing services to the needs of each organization, ATS aims to help clients support their maintenance, readiness, and compliance objectives. While no evaluation can ensure future performance, periodic load testing can serve as a meaningful component of a broader equipment management approach—helping maintenance teams better understand the condition of their tools at the time of testing.
Contact Us
To learn more about our load testing services or to schedule a consultation, please complete our web request form or call us at +1 (888) 287-5227.

