TOP STORY >> Airmen stand tall with ISO stands

By Airman 1st Class Mercedes Muro 

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs 

Isochronal stands are one of the many pieces of equipment Airmen use to repair aircraft. The mobile stands are working platforms that can hold a large number of people at once. This ultimately helps facilitate quicker routine maintenance, moving aircraft out of the hangar and back to the flightline to continue the mission.

“The versatility of the stands enhances mission effectiveness,” said Tech. Sgt. Chad Dunham, a 19th MXS ISO production supervisor. “All parts of the aircraft are made accessible to the Airmen.”

When a C-130 requires scheduled maintenance action, it is brought into the hangar and parked near the ISO stands. The stands are then placed around the entire aircraft and assembled under the wings. Without the stands, mechanics wouldn’t be able to work underneath the aircraft or above the wings. 

The current set of Little Rock AFB’s ISO stands allow Airmen to work more efficiently compared to their previous stands. 

“The older style stands aren’t as good as what we have now,” said Dunham. “We couldn’t have aircraft jacked around the old stands. We had to pull the stands out and then jack and lower the plane. Then we had to put the ISO stands back in.”

In addition to the capability to raise and lower the aircraft, the current stands have lights, offer electrical power and compressed air to help mechanics work more promptly. 

The convenience of the ISO stands allows Airmen to begin their work faster and save time while making repairs.

 “We can have our tools right there on the stand,” said Master Sgt. Tobi Zimmerman, a 19th MXS ISO production supervisor. “Instead of getting off the stand, going to a tool box, getting the tool and getting back on the stand, they can reach it right there.” 

Although ISO stands are merely working platforms, the advanced structures are relied upon to aid maintenance Airmen in their repair of C-130s. The ISO stands are proof that not even the daunting size of an aircraft can hinder the 19th MXS from accomplishing its mission.