A key feature of Laurentian’s new maintenance facility will be a laser-guided automated docking system which will be supplied by Mutltidocking Contec Ltd.  One automated docking system will be located in each hangar bay.

Multidocking Contec installed the first automated system in Dubai for Emirates Airlines in 1995. A second system was installed in Dubai in 2000 and the company is currently installing a system to accomodate the A-380.

The docking system’s 14 motors slide the docking station into place around the aircraft. The laser guided system is sufficiently accurate to bring the structure within one centimeter of the aircraft’s fuselage.

As the docking system is automated, it is expected that Laurentian will be in a position to begin servicing an aircraft within approximately 30 minutes of arrival. Similarly, after the completion of the maintenance, the removal of the docking system is expected to be completed in approximately 30 minutes.

This short erection and disassembly time is expected to significantly reduce the out-of-service time that Laurentian's customers will incur.