Check out the product produced by wheel tug that allows aircraft to pushback and taxi with a motor powered by the APU and connected to the nose wheel. Apparently there are already 200 products reserved in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Neat stuff!

 

http://media.wheeltug.com/

Check out the product produced by wheel tug that allows aircraft to pushback and taxi with a motor powered by the APU and connected to the nose wheel. Apparently there are already 200 products reserved in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Neat stuff!

 

http://media.wheeltug.com/

 

I'm wondering, will these aircrafts have side mirrors (heated of course) :Thinking:

 

Eric

Maybe backup assist like my Avalon, when something gets close it starts beeping.

Heated mirrors, nah... With the wheel comes the hightech package including all of the backup cameras for mutiple views and the collision warning system. :lol:

Ideally I think the unit should be able to be guided both from a remote ground handset and the cockpit. The rampie has a much better and safer viewpoint than any pilot would...with and without cameras.

 

It's actually an "about time" thing for me....although I think the weight gain for the system may scare some operators away. I see with reduced fuel burn though it's supposedly "weight neutral.....May still be cheaper to run that good 'ol tug for a couple more years :)

 

Power-back is still the way to go

Maybe backup assist like my Avalon, when something gets close it starts beeping.

Or you just listen for people in economy screaming, then you know you are close to something, problem solved at a cheaper price :LMAO:

Ideally I think the unit should be able to be guided both from a remote ground handset and the cockpit. The rampie has a much better and safer viewpoint than any pilot would...with and without cameras.

 

It's actually an "about time" thing for me....although I think the weight gain for the system may scare some operators away. I see with reduced fuel burn though it's supposedly "weight neutral.....May still be cheaper to run that good 'ol tug for a couple more years :)

 

Power-back is still the way to go

 

Might be a good idea to have a ground override to let the crew chief push the plane out, +1000 on them having a far better view of whats going on during pushback. However this system would be useless if the APU is inop and many engines still require a 3 minute warmup or cool down period so you will be taxing at some point under engine power.

 

That video seems slightly skewed. The counter should start once the wheeltug aircraft has finished pushback - instead it's already 30+ seconds into counting. Not exactly a legit comparison of turnaround times if you begin your timer before your ship has sailed.

Well according to the video it is because they have to connect the tractor (let's say he was running late)

Well according to the video it is because they have to connect the tractor (let's say he was running late)

 

Not a problem at ORD, AA connects the tractor just after arrival and it stay hooked until pushback and our GEM building is quick to put a spare out there if one does break.

at ORD, AA connects the tractor just after arrival and it stay hooked

Which means AA at ORD needs a tractor per parking slot and a presumably a driver for each. When clearance arrives, the driver has to be informed and then mount and start the tractor. Even if it is already hooked up that is still the 30seconds, the video talks about.

The only thing I can say is

Which means AA at ORD needs a tractor per parking slot and a presumably a driver for each. When clearance arrives, the driver has to be informed and then mount and start the tractor. Even if it is already hooked up that is still the 30seconds, the video talks about.

 

Any ramp is guy qualified to drive within the team and the tractors are started before the clearance is expected, still especially without cameras on most aircraft there is no way a pilot can safely navigate out of the gate so they still have to be in contact with the ground crew by voice at a minimum. If you are pushing out of a gate like H9 at ORD then you would need someone to override the system and push it from the ground as he can see what is going on and where the plane is going, and that gate is not a simple pushback and turn left or right. I'm on the ramp a lot and have worked with those guys so I know what I'm talking about.

 

Minor stuff like starting tractors and getting her going is not a huge deal, especially since many times you have to wait for push because there is an aircraft in the way right behind the plane that is supposed to push. Also yes there is a tractor per gate and they are assigned to that gate, you will see its assignment such as K-19 or H-11A marked on the vehicle unless its a spare and then you will see it "spare" written on it.

Fantastic idea!!

 

Think of the savings and co2 emission reduction,

 

 

Especially for heathrow ;)

 

I'm hoping someone gets that reference.