Aviation & Aerospace Industry Cranes
Safe, controlled lifting for aircraft manufacture, assembly and MRO
In aerospace, an overhead crane is a precision instrument. You are handling heavy, high-value structures with tight tolerances, where even minor contact, load twist or an unplanned stop can create costly rework and risk. That is why Aerospace Cranes must deliver smooth motion, stable load control and repeatable positioning as standard, not as an add-on.
At Street Crane, we engineer Aerospace Industry Cranes around the realities of fuselage handling, wing integration, engine installation and hangar maintenance activity. With nearly 80 years of British engineering heritage and a family-owned approach, we work closely with your engineering, operations and procurement teams to deliver lifting that protects quality, supports uptime and performs reliably for the long term.
Speak to our sales team today on +44 (0)1298 812456 or complete the enquiry form to discuss your warehouse lifting requirements.
Crane solutions for aerospace manufacturing
Aerospace facilities combine long-span movements with delicate, high-precision placement. Loads are often awkward in geometry and sensitive to twist, including fuselage sections, wings, engine modules, landing gear assemblies and tooling frames. Many lifts need controlled synchronisation across multiple pick points, while busy hangars demand predictable travel, disciplined work zones and careful control near finished surfaces.
Our approach starts with understanding your process and your constraints: span, hook coverage, headroom, lift height, duty cycle, load behaviour, preferred control method, maintenance access and future expansion. From there, we shape the crane specification so it integrates cleanly with jigs, fixtures, assembly stations and hangar operations, supporting quality, safety and dependable throughput.
Cranes
We have a large range of pre-engineered cranes to meet the needs of almost all industrial applications up to 250 tonnes capacity.
Components & Hoists
Designed for ease of crane assembly anywhere in the world, Street Crane kits include everything needed to build a complete overhead crane except the steelwork for the main bridge girder.
Spares & Servicing
Only genuine Street parts will ensure the lifelong productivity and reliability of your lifting equipment. Street parts are available from our warehouses in the UK and the USA. We also supply through our network of official distributors around the globe.
Overhead cranes engineered for aerospace environments
Every Street Crane system is designed and built in the UK, combining robust mechanical engineering with smooth, efficient motion control.
Where aerospace programmes demand millimetre-level positioning and repeatable workflows, we specify advanced control using Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to deliver controlled acceleration, steady micro-speed handling and predictable stopping, helping you place components accurately without shock loading.
Key design considerations
Aerospace lifting performance is shaped as much by load behaviour as by capacity. Long structures such as wings can flex and amplify sway if motion is not carefully managed, while cylindrical fuselage sections can be vulnerable to distortion or rotation if load distribution is not controlled.
We engineer the full handling system, including hook approach, trolley travel, runway layout and lifting interface, so the crane supports stable movement and controlled alignment into jigs and fixtures. Multi-hoist or tandem requirements are addressed through synchronised control strategies that maintain level lift and minimise skew during travel and final placement.
Safety and compliance are treated as engineered functions, not tick-box items. Depending on the application, we integrate layers of protection such as secondary braking, overspeed and overload protection, safety-rated control functions and defined operating zones that help prevent unintended movement or contact during critical lifts. For long-term reliability, we also specify duty-appropriate mechanical layouts and monitoring options that support planned maintenance and predictable asset life.
Aerospace crane solutions
ZX Underslung multi-span suspension cranes for hangars and wide-span bays
Where you need maximum hook coverage across large bays, ZX hoist underslung suspension cranes run on roof-supported tracks, avoiding runway columns and keeping floor space clear for assembly stands, docks and support equipment. Multi-span configurations are well suited to wide buildings, including aircraft hangars, and can be engineered for overall spans beyond 100 metres where required. This approach supports clean process flow, with stable travel and flexible coverage across multiple work areas.
ZX Double Girder top-running cranes for precision assembly lifts
For heavier assemblies and tighter headroom constraints, ZX double girder cranes provide higher top-hook positions and a versatile platform for aerospace-specific handling. Options such as auxiliary hoists, walkways and tailored speed and control strategies support controlled placement into jigs and fixtures. The ZX hoist design is built around maintainability and long-term reliability, helping reduce downtime risk in production-critical bays.
VX heavy-duty cranes for high-value modules and demanding duty cycles
Where the application calls for higher capacities, intensive use or exceptional placement stability, VX open-winch cranes provide true vertical lift with zero hook drift, supporting precise alignment of heavy, high-value modules. The open-plan hoist layout simplifies inspection and maintenance access, which is valuable in high-uptime environments. VX hoist configurations can also be specified with advanced VFD control, micro-speed handling and safety functions to suit aerospace handling risk and duty demands.
Special cranes for bespoke aerospace handling
Some aerospace lifts are unique: multi-point handling frames, synchronised hoists, controlled rotation requirements, unusual spans or safety-critical operations. Our special crane capability is designed for these cases, with engineered solutions developed to match your load geometry, process sequence and safety requirements, including aerospace and defence applications.
Jib cranes, LX hoists and LCS systems for local assembly and support tasks
Not every lift belongs on the main bridge. Slewing and wall-travelling jib cranes provide agile, local coverage for work cells, tooling and service operations, while LX electric chain hoists offer compact, dependable lifting for fixtures and lighter handling tasks. For frequent, ergonomic movements at assembly and sub-assembly stations, LCS light crane systems support precise manual handling and can be configured to suit evolving workflows. This layered approach protects main crane availability and improves day-to-day efficiency.
Making advanced lifting practical in aerospace
We make advanced control and monitoring straightforward to use on the shop floor. Diagnostics, usage monitoring and condition monitoring options support planned maintenance and help reduce unplanned downtime, while efficient mechanical design and VFD control contribute to smoother operation and long-term asset performance.
It is a practical, engineering-led approach that supports quality, safety and lifecycle value, not just headline capability.
Specialised features for aerospace applications
Aerospace handling depends on controlled motion and disciplined protection of the workpiece. We engineer smooth starts and stops through VFD-based control, with micro-speed positioning where alignment is critical and programmable motion profiles where repeatability matters. For long or flexible components, synchronised hoist strategies help maintain level lift and reduce twist, supporting safer tandem handling and more confident placement into jigs.
Where additional risk controls are required, we can incorporate layers such as secondary braking, overspeed protection, load arrest solutions and safety-rated control functions to support secure lifting and predictable stopping behaviour.
Let’s design lifting that protects quality and keeps programmes moving
Whether you are expanding hangar capacity, upgrading an assembly bay, or specifying cranes for a new aerospace line, we will help you define the right crane architecture, control strategy and safety functions for your process.
Call +44 (0)1298 812456 for a practical recommendation and budgetary outline. Not just lifting loads, lifting standards.
Get Started Today
Have any questions or want a quote please contact us