Engine loader and transporter apparatus and methods

An engine loader and transport assembly adapted to engage an aircraft engine assembly comprising:

• a motorized drive assembly engageable with a floor surface;
• an engagement unit positioned proximate the drive assembly and partially surrounding a working space, the engagement unit including a pair of coupling assemblies positioned on opposing lateral sides of the working space that are adapted to be selectively coupleable to the aircraft engine assembly when the aircraft engine assembly is positioned at least partially within the working space, wherein the engagement unit includes a pair of elongated track members positioned proximate the working space, and a platform assembly moveably mounted on the track members, the platform assembly being adapted to support at least one person;
• and
• a lifting assembly operatively coupled to the drive assembly and to the engagement unit and adapted to selectively raise and lower the engagement unit with respect to the floor surface.

A facility for performing at least one of manufacturing and servicing an aircraft, comprising:

• a floor surface;
• and
• an engine handling assembly adapted to engage an aircraft engine assembly, the engine handling assembly including:
• a motorized drive assembly engageable with the floor surface;
• an engagement unit positioned proximate the drive assembly and partially surrounding a working space, the engagement unit including a pair of coupling assemblies positioned on opposing lateral sides of the working space that are selectively coupleable to the aircraft engine assembly when the aircraft engine assembly is positioned at least partially within the working space, wherein the engagement unit includes an upper deck positioned proximate the aircraft engine assembly and adapted to support at least one person, wherein the upper deck includes at least one panel slideably extendible toward the working space;
• and
• a lifting assembly operatively coupled to the drive assembly and to the engagement unit and adapted to selectively raise and lower the engagement unit with respect to the floor surface.

A facility for performing at least one of manufacturing and servicing an aircraft, comprising:

• a floor surface;
• and
• an engine handling assembly adapted to engage an aircraft engine assembly, the engine handling assembly including:
• a motorized drive assembly engageable with the floor surface;
• an engagement unit positioned proximate the drive assembly and partially surrounding a working space, the engagement unit including a pair of coupling assemblies positioned on opposing lateral sides of the working space that are selectively coupleable to the aircraft engine assembly when the aircraft engine assembly is positioned at least partially within the working space, wherein the engagement unit includes a pair of elongated track members positioned proximate the working space, and a platform assembly moveably mounted on the track members, the platform assembly being adapted to support at least one person;
• and
• a lifting assembly operatively coupled to the drive assembly and to the engagement unit and adapted to selectively raise and lower the engagement unit with respect to the floor surface.

A method of attaching an aircraft engine, comprising:

• positioning an airframe of the aircraft on a floor surface;
• providing an aircraft engine assembly;
• providing an engine handling assembly having a motorized drive assembly and an engagement unit operatively coupled to the motorized drive assembly, the drive assembly and the engagement unit being adapted to partially surround a working space, the engagement unit including a pair of coupling assemblies positioned on opposing lateral sides of the working space, wherein the engagement unit includes at least one of:
• an upper deck positioned proximate the aircraft engine assembly and adapted to support at least one person, the upper deck having at least one panel slideably extendible toward the working space;
• and
• a pair of elongated track members positioned proximate the working space, and a platform assembly moveably mounted on the track members, the platform assembly being adapted to support at least one person;
• positioning the engine handling assembly proximate the aircraft engine assembly with the aircraft engine assembly at least partially positioned in the working space;
• coupling the coupling assemblies of the engagement unit with the aircraft engine assembly;
• raising the aircraft engine assembly by spacing apart the engagement unit from the drive assembly;
• moving the aircraft engine assembly into position proximate the airframe using the drive assembly;
• and
• coupling the aircraft engine assembly to the airframe.

A method of servicing an engine assembly of an aircraft, comprising:

• positioning the aircraft on a floor surface;
• providing an engine handling assembly having a motorized drive assembly and an engagement unit operatively coupled to the motorized drive assembly, the drive assembly and the engagement unit being adapted to partially surround a working space, the engagement unit including a pair of coupling assemblies positioned on opposing lateral sides of the working space, wherein the engagement unit includes at least one of:
• an upper deck positioned proximate the aircraft engine assembly and adapted to support at least one person, the upper deck having at least one panel slideably extendible toward the working space;
• and
• a pair of elongated track members positioned proximate the working space, and a platform assembly moveably mounted on the track members, the platform assembly being adapted to support at least one person;
• positioning the engine handling assembly proximate the engine assembly;
• raising the engagement unit of the engine handling assembly with respect to the drive assembly such that the engine assembly is at least partially positioned in the working space;
• coupling the coupling assemblies of the engagement unit with the engine assembly;
• detaching the engine assembly from the aircraft;
• lowering the engine assembly by moving the engagement unit toward the drive assembly;
• and
• performing service on the engine assembly.