Kern Steel Fabrication, Inc. (KSF) is well known in the industry as a structural steel fabricator that meets or exceeds contract requirements and client expectations consistently. This is a reflection on the diligence and attention to detail of everyone at KSF from the president of the company to the person who constantly sweeps the shop to provide a clean and safe work area. The ability to continue to perform successfully in a very competitive field for 50 years indicates a strong and competent culture has been developed for this success.
A license from the State of California and the City of Los Angeles to fabricate structural steel is necessary for success in the local market. Certification by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) for Steel Building Structures (STB) with a Sophisticated Paint Endorsement (P2, P3) distinguishes KSF from others in this market.
KSF is known in the community as a fabricator of commercial building, schools, hospitals, and other government facilities. Most clients are not aware that KSF is a leader in the field of the design and construction of aircraft ground support maintenance platforms. Platforms have been design and fabricated for everything from the Boeing 737 to the 747. Current contracts include all the maintenance platforms necessary to complete isochronal maintenance for the Lockheed C-5.
Our Sophisticated Paint Endorsement reflects not only the ability to properly apply sophisticated paints, but the sophistication of our completely enclosed and climate controlled blasting facility and paint booth. Items to be painted are moved from the blasting facility to the paint booth through an enclosed passage. Painting is not limited to items fabricated by KSF, but includes tanks, vessels, heavy equipment, and complex industrial structures found in the oil fields of California.
C-5 Empennage Stand
What is a C-5 Empennage Stand? The Empennage Stand is also known as a Tail Stand. This ground support equipment is used in inspecting and maintaining the C-5 aircraft. The Empennage Stand is a six level self-propelled stand, which provides full access to the tail cone, vertical and horizontal stabilizers.
The docking stand also allows complete access to the rear cargo door while mated to the C-5 there-by enabling the removal of the cargo door and loading ramp. The stand has specially designed mechanically actuated sliders. Time for docking and de-docking is minimized through both the mechanized sliders and the stands self-propelled capabilities. The overall design of the stand fits well with the Air Force’s emphasis on Lean Systems. Click Here To Read More About Lean Manufacturing.
Kern Steel is currently finalizing the third C-5 Empennage Stand for the United States Air Force. Kern Steel was awarded this contract on August 22, 2005. Kern Steel was awarded a contract to provide for the design and production of this stand. This was a design build project. Kern Steel custom crafted this stand to the requirements and needs of the Air Force. They studied the base and worked with the Air Force to determine their specific needs. Kern Steel provided the Air Force with a comprehensive design and engineering.
Kern Steel was selected for this project through the Air Forces rigorous “Full Four Color” source selection process.
This selection resulted in Kern Steel being selected as the “Best Value” and most technically competent contractor. This is the second job that Kern Steel has done for the Air Force. The first was the repair of a C-5 Wing and Fuselage Dock for the Air Force at the Travis Air Force Base in California. Kern Steel was able to finish the job a full month ahead of schedule. To find out more click on link below.
The C-5 aircraft is one of the largest aircrafts in the world. It can carry outsize and oversize cargo intercontinental ranges and can take off or land in relatively short distances. Ground crews can load and off load the C-5 simultaneously at the front and rear cargo openings. Other features of the C-5 are:
Able to take off fully loaded within 8,300 feet (2,530 meters) and land within 4,900 feet (1,493 meters).
High flotation landing gear with 28 wheels sharing the weight. Nose and aft doors that open the full width and height of the cargo compartment to permit faster and easier loading.
A "kneeling" landing gear system that permits lowering of the parked aircraft so the cargo floor is at truck-bed height or to facilitate vehicle loading and unloading.
Full width drive-on ramps at each end for loading double rows of vehicles.
A system that records and analyzes information and detects malfunctions in more than 800 test points.
The C-5 is similar in appearance to its smaller sister transport, the C-141 Starlifter, although the C-5 is much larger. Both aircraft have the distinctive high T-tail, 25-degree wing sweep, and four turbofan engines mounted on pylons beneath the wings.
Kern Steel Fabrication, Inc. (KSF) is well known in the industry as a structural steel fabricator that meets or exceeds contract requirements and client expectations consistently. This is a reflection on the diligence and attention to detail of everyone at KSF from the president of the company to the person who constantly sweeps the shop to provide a clean and safe work area. The ability to continue to perform successfully in a very competitive field for 50 years indicates a strong and competent culture has been developed for this success.
What is a C-5 Empennage Stand? The Empennage Stand is also known as a Tail Stand. This ground support equipment is used in inspecting and maintaining the C-5 aircraft. The Empennage Stand is a six level self-propelled stand, which provides full access to the tail cone, vertical and horizontal stabilizers.
The docking stand also allows complete access to the rear cargo door while mated to the C-5 there-by enabling the removal of the cargo door and loading ramp. The stand has specially designed mechanically actuated sliders. Time for docking and de-docking is minimized through both the mechanized sliders and the stands self-propelled capabilities. The overall design of the stand fits well with the Air Force’s emphasis on Lean Systems. 
Kern Steel is currently finalizing the third C-5 Empennage Stand for the United States Air Force. Kern Steel was awarded this contract on August 22, 2005. Kern Steel was awarded a contract to provide for the design and production of this stand. This was a design build project. Kern Steel custom crafted this stand to the requirements and needs of the Air Force. They studied the base and worked with the Air Force to determine their specific needs. Kern Steel provided the Air Force with a comprehensive design and engineering. 
View an article from the Air Force's AFOPO publication on this subject here
View video of stand erection here
