Hi,

How safe is it to tow a small corporate jet with a regular SUV car or Van ?
Or is is much better to use a regular Tug...
Any opinion is welcome

If you have the proper tow bars, I just see one problem: don't start the engines while pushing back or the SUV will be overpowered by the aircraft's engines.

Cheers

Fair enough... Thanks for the input, anyone else uses that option for towing their aircrafts ? Does it damage the nose wheel after a while ?

You can do it, however, bear in mind that your typical light car or van isn't meant for towing a 18,000 lb airplane. The brakes on your car are designed for stopping a light car, and the transmission for moving just that car. Even for vehicles with a tow package, seldom is it intended to tow more than the weight of the car. If you have an accident or incident with a tug designed to tow an aircraft, it's hard to fault you for choosing the right equipment. Not so if you're towing with a vehicle that's unusual, not designed for the task, and not conventionally used. You may find yourself on the losing end of litigation, even if the car had nothing to do with the damage.

Another consideration is that most tugs allow the ability to push and pull and see the aircraft and all around the aircraft. Most cars don't. Especially in a turn, watching the wingtips as you maneuver in and out of a hangar, or around other aircraft may be difficult.

The simple act of towing the aircraft won't harm the gear, but you can easily exceed turn limits or side load the gear if you're not careful. I have personally seen gear damage done which wasn't caught at the time, but which caused the nosegear to jam in the gear well on retraction, creating an inflight emergency.

Also check your insurance. Mine says that my cars not covered airside........

Just get a Lektro, maybe share with your other home based operators, NEVER use an uninsured (your cover) method, that is unless the FBO/MRO has specific cover!

Please tell me that this is a wind up!

It's not the equipment but the operator that's the problem in towing things.

On icy/snow covered ramps, anything but a heavy, purpose built tug with chains is asking for disaster. However, on dry pavement an SUV or van should have no problem pulling a light jet with a proper tow bar.

Used Landrovers before, preferably with an auto box as this will be more smooth. They'll shift most small GA stuff...

OB

There are towbars and towbars. Use one with a suspension and shearbolts. The nosewheel attachment will be thankful.

The one thing (apart from insurance) is a gotcha with a car is that usually you should be 2 guys for coupling/decoupling.

Maybe you should also define "Small biz jet"

I personally use a LEKTRO, very good machines and when properly used, very nosewheel friendly. (Unlike the guys in Domodedovo use it, they used the momentum of the airplane downslope to get it on the cradle the other day...)

The LEKTRO has an approval from my Aircraft manufacturer, which I consider to be a nice addon when it comes to insurance and/or guarantee claims.

Dudeness, if I remember correctly Lektro has clearance from all the frontline BIZJET OEMs.Don't drive one for a living, but they are great fun to go sort of karting in!

We did that a few years ago at big bash in 'Lost Wages'

TTFN

Anyone is using the Itowbot ? It seems a little bit slow, but is it really powerful ? I doubt it could tow an 18000lbs aircraft in a small slope...

Does it get slippery where you are based? I´d have my doubts about it when it comes to either slippery surfaces and/or slopes. The lektro has powerful brakes on relatively big wheels. I like the concept of remote control though.
Batt capacity, especially if youre based somewhere cold might be an issue as well.

But I have not seen a itowbot yet, so its all guessing.

Ask them for a demo at your place.

They are selling an heavy duty product capable of towing up to 27000lbs... The price is not bad either, I don't know yet, I am based in Africa and I will still look closer on all the details. Thanks for all ure inputs
Lektro seems very nice as well indeed.

Check this out:


mototok – easy moving (http://www.mototok.com/)

Definately looking at getting some of these. Also remote controlled.

69

What a/c type? In Botswana we regularly tow empty Caravans with small road vehicles.

The mototok looks amazing :ok: and very fast compare to the Itowbot

Anyone got the prices of the mototok ?? I've been sending them request and calling them with no answer this is very frustrating....
The models I'm interested in are the m120h and the m250h...
Hope I'll get more lucky on Pprune