Underground PIT Systems Explained: Benefits, configurations & selection guide
| Company | ElectroAir |
|---|---|
| Date | 12.03.2026 |
In this guide, we explain what PIT systems are, where they are used, which configurations make sense for different projects, and how to choose the right concept for your apron, gate, or hangar. We also show how ElectroAir PIT systems, together with turn-key project support, 400 Hz converters, 28 V rectifiers, PCA units, installation, commissioning, and training, help airports and MROs build reliable, efficient, and future-ready service environments.
What is an underground PIT system?
An underground PIT system is a recessed service unit installed below apron or hangar floor level. It provides access to utilities exactly where the aircraft or maintenance workflow needs them, while keeping the working area clean when the system is closed. Depending on the project scope, PIT systems can deliver 400 Hz ground power, 28 V DC, PCA, fuel tank ventilation, compressed air, utility interfaces, or custom service combinations.
Instead of routing cables and hoses across the apron from separate mobile equipment, PIT systems bring services up from below through a structured, protected access point. This improves apron organization, reduces trip hazards, supports faster aircraft servicing, and creates a far more professional long-term infrastructure concept.
Below-floor infrastructure
PIT systems are integrated into the apron or hangar floor, allowing service connections to remain protected and out of the way when not in use.
Point-of-use delivery
Utilities are delivered exactly at the service location, which improves operational logic and reduces unnecessary cable runs.
Scalable system concept
PIT systems can be configured for different aircraft, gate layouts, hangar bays, climates, and operational standards.
Why airports and MROs use PIT systems
The shift toward underground service infrastructure is driven by both operational and strategic reasons. A PIT system is not just a technical box in the ground – it is part of how a stand or hangar is designed to function every day.
Cleaner apron layout
Underground delivery reduces visible clutter, improves traffic flow, and keeps cable routing under control, especially at busy stands and terminal areas.
Improved safety
By minimizing cables and hoses across active service zones, PIT systems help reduce trip hazards, equipment damage risk, and apron congestion.
Faster servicing
When power and utilities are already integrated into the stand, aircraft connection becomes faster and more repeatable.
Supports APU-OFF strategy
Combined with fixed 400 Hz power and PCA architecture, PIT systems help reduce APU dependency and support cleaner, quieter apron operations.
Long-term infrastructure value
A well-designed PIT concept gives airports and MROs an infrastructure backbone that remains scalable as traffic mix and stand requirements evolve.
PIT systems as part of a turn-key airport infrastructure solution
At ElectroAir, PIT systems are not treated as standalone units only. In many airport and MRO projects, they are delivered as part of a broader turn-key infrastructure solution that includes engineering support, design assistance, installation guidance, commissioning, training, and integration with the wider electrical and service architecture.
Depending on project requirements, ElectroAir can supply PIT systems together with 400 Hz frequency converters, 28 V DC rectifiers, PCA units, and related distribution infrastructure. This allows airports and maintenance facilities to build a fully coordinated stand or hangar solution with one experienced technology partner.
Design & engineering support
Support with stand layout logic, service architecture, utility mix, and integration planning.
Integrated equipment scope
PIT systems combined with 400 Hz converters, 28 V rectifiers, PCA units, and related infrastructure elements.
Installation, commissioning & training
ElectroAir supports projects from concept to operational readiness, helping ensure reliable real-world use.
Where PIT systems are used
PIT systems are used in several environments across aviation, depending on whether the priority is apron servicing, gate power delivery, or hangar workflow optimization.
Passenger gates & apron stands
Used to provide 400 Hz, 28 V DC, and utilities in a cleaner, more permanent stand architecture.
MRO hangars
Ideal for structured maintenance environments where under-floor access keeps the workspace open, safe, and efficient.
Wide-body and high-utilization stands
Supports more advanced stand architecture with modular service delivery and easier scaling.
Special applications
Can be configured for PCA, fuel tank ventilation, maintenance air, or mixed service requirements depending on project scope.
Configurations & PIT system types
Not all PIT systems are the same. The right design depends on service mix, available space, aircraft profile, floor structure, and operating logic. ElectroAir offers several PIT concepts to match different project needs.
Hatch PIT Systems: robust, scalable, infrastructure-ready
The Hatch PIT Systems are designed for demanding airport and MRO environments where robust utility access, scalability, and long-term reliability are essential. This is the go-to concept for projects that require a durable, heavy-duty service interface integrated into a broader stand architecture.
Best for: apron modernization, hangar infrastructure, 400 Hz integration, complex utility combinations.
Mini EAPIT: compact underground hatch concept
The Mini EAPIT is designed for projects that need a compact, efficient under-floor service point. It is a strong choice where space is limited but reliability and structured utility delivery still matter.
Best for: compact stand layouts, focused utility scope, streamlined infrastructure concepts.
Pop-Up PIT Systems: service access with controlled lift-up delivery
ElectroAir’s Pop-Up PIT Systems are ideal where equipment needs to rise into a service position when activated and remain protected below floor level the rest of the time. This concept is especially useful for structured apron operations and projects that prioritize clean, visually organized stand layouts.
Best for: modern passenger gates, high-traffic apron areas, visually clean stand environments.
How to choose the right PIT system
Choosing the correct PIT concept is not only about the product itself. It is about how the system fits into the operational reality of your airport or maintenance facility.
1) Define the utility mix
Will the stand require 400 Hz only, or a combination of power, PCA, air, or fuel ventilation? The service mix defines the architecture.
2) Understand the service environment
Apron stands, contact gates, and hangars have different floor structures, traffic patterns, and operational priorities.
3) Consider aircraft mix and traffic intensity
A regional stand, a narrow-body gate, and a wide-body MRO bay do not place the same demands on service access, redundancy, or cable strategy.
4) Think beyond day one
A good PIT system should not only solve today’s need. It should remain relevant as stand usage, fleet mix, and service logic evolve.
5) Choose a partner, not just a product
PIT systems are infrastructure products. Their value depends on engineering, layout planning, manufacturing quality, and project execution, not only on equipment specs.
6) Consider climate and operating conditions
ElectroAir offers PIT solutions for virtually all climate zones, including demanding environments from -40°C to +55°C. This is especially important for airports with severe winters, hot apron surfaces, and high year-round operational exposure.
Why ElectroAir PIT systems
ElectroAir designs PIT systems as part of a broader airport and MRO infrastructure philosophy: cleaner stand architecture, operational reliability, long-term serviceability, and real project execution capability.
Engineering-driven design
ElectroAir PIT systems are designed for real airport and hangar conditions, not as generic utility boxes, but as integrated infrastructure elements.
Flexible configurations
From compact hatch concepts to pop-up and full-duty hatch systems, ElectroAir offers multiple ways to fit the right service access into the right project.
Turnkey mindset
ElectroAir supports not only product supply, but also the infrastructure logic behind the project, helping airports and MROs move from concept to real operational use.
Proven in real projects
ElectroAir PIT systems are already used in major airport and MRO infrastructure projects where reliability, scalability, and clean stand design matter every day.
Typical advantages of ElectroAir PIT systems
- Cleaner and safer apron/hangar service environment
- Structured access to ground power and utilities
- Reduced cable clutter and improved workflow logic
- Flexible product portfolio for different layouts and capacities
- Designed for long-term airport and MRO infrastructure use
FAQ
What is the main benefit of a PIT system compared to mobile service equipment?
The biggest benefit is structured point-of-use delivery. PIT systems reduce apron clutter, improve safety, and create a cleaner long-term infrastructure concept.
Can PIT systems be used in hangars, not only on aprons?
Yes. PIT systems are especially valuable in MRO hangars, where under-floor access helps keep the workspace efficient, hazard-free, and better organized.
How do I choose between Mini EAPIT, Pop-Up, and Hatch PIT systems?
The right choice depends on service mix, available space, stand architecture, and how the point must operate during servicing. ElectroAir can help define the right configuration for your project.
Are PIT systems only relevant for new airports?
No. They are also highly relevant for apron modernization, terminal upgrades, and hangar refurbishment projects where long-term infrastructure quality is a priority.
Planning a PIT system project for your airport or MRO facility?
ElectroAir helps airports, terminal operators, and maintenance organizations design complete underground service architecture, from PIT systems themselves to broader turn-key infrastructure including 400 Hz converters, 28 V rectifiers, PCA units, design support, commissioning, and training. If you are planning a new stand, apron modernization, or hangar upgrade, our team is ready to help define the right solution.
