Remote Tug

[mscard88]

I recall years ago Delta was thinking about something like this to actually taxi out to the runway. At ATL one can end up in the taxi line for a good amount of time. Interesting though.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/british-airways-pushes-planes-remote-010200759.html

 

[Mistake Not...]

Neat.

What would it take for the pilot to use the remote? And then, maybe have the tug return to the ramp roomba-style.

 

[mscard88]

The pilot? They'd end up racin' them or playing bumper tugs.

 

[overdrive148]

For the smaller guys (there's one at Meacham afaik)

http://towbots.us/

 

[Mistake Not...]

Ok, that one, I know I'd run it from inside the plane at least once.

 

[Ken Ibold]

There's this one ...

http://www.taxibot-international.com/

 

[Sac Arrow]

And this one...

 

[CMongoose]

For the smaller guys (there's one at Meacham afaik)

http://towbots.us/

Wow, only $8000 (give or take a few) http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/towBots.php

 

[overdrive148]

Wow, only $8000 (give or take a few) http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/towBots.php

Pretty steep price tag but the beauty of a machine like that in an FBO environment is:

1: No towhead/towbar/tug required (aircraft specific becomes expensive fast)
2: Turn every aircraft into a zero point turnable aircraft while keeping the nosewheel straight (you can easily and seriously damage aircraft by turning past the nosegear limits, especially smaller towing arc planes like Mooneys and TBMs)
3: Stack your hangars more efficiently (some turns can't be made by a conventional tug in a confined space without unhooking and reconnecting the towbar at a different angle)
4: You can be your own wing walker while towing aircraft

See also: Lektro, the Ferrari of tugs:

Yes, he is pushing a G650 from underneath! They dont use towbars either but they do turn the nosewheel and steer from the back unlike a conventional tug.

Although technically the Gulfstream 4 through 650 have torque link scissor disconnects so for all intensive porpoises they are zero point turners as well.