4331. Video. Aircraft pushback tractor

 

 

An aircraft pushback tractor is a specialized vehicle used to push or tow an aircraft away from a gate or parking bay, allowing it to taxi to the runway without using its own engines. 

These tractors are low-profile, powerful, and maneuverable, connecting to the aircraft's nose landing gear with either a tow bar or a towbarless system. 

They are crucial for airport ground operations, as large aircraft cannot easily reverse on their own. 

 

 

 

How it works

• The tractor connects to the aircraft's nose landing gear using a tow bar or a towbarless system.
• The driver communicates with the pilot via radio to coordinate the pushback.
• The tractor then pushes the aircraft backward to a point where the pilot can start the engines and begin taxiing to the runway.
• Tractors can also be used to move aircraft between different locations at an airport, such as to a maintenance hangar. 
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  After all servicing activities are finished, aircraft needs to get back on the runway to take off, however, it first needs to reverse itself from the aircraft stand. This is where the pushback tractor comes in.

  A towing hook attaches its one end to the aircraft and the other end to the pushback tractor. The driver receives a go ahead signal from Pilot and begins the pushback operation.

  It pushes the aircraft back and also steers it so that the aircraft ends up in correct position on the taxiway (a connecting pathway between aircraft stand and runway).

  Pilot then gives an okay to disengage signal to the pushback tractor driver at which he unhooks the towing bar and steers the pushback tractor away from the aircraft.

   

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  Changi Airport has the aircraft pushback tractor. It is either the tow-bar or towbarless system either to pull or push the aircraft.

  The towbarless system clamps directly onto the aircraft's nose wheel lifting it slightly off the ground for pushback together with the pilot.

  
  New development includes the electric pushback tractor for lower emissions and quieter operation.

   

  
  
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  draft for the above-mentioned video  
  
  
  Blogger.com displays images below incorrectly as it shows the last image first. Please accept my apologies.