Spot on Rainboe. Slowly does it. There is very sophisticated software running the system to avoid various problems. WT will not turn an aircraft into a dragster!
I think Short Circuit blew a fuse...
Logical thinking Christiaan. Except WT have done quite a bit since the Proof of Concept. Your right about numerous scenarios, usable system, valid business case. We do have many more 'ideas'. Some equally as advanced as WT, which is a specific end use for one of many in house technologies. The Chorus Motor has much potential.
Tow bars are a constant source of maintenance woes. Hard linking a strut to a tug exposes the strut, mounting and airframe to the full jarring force of the tug. WT is much more gentle.
WT eliminates Jet blast and many FOD issues. Jet engines run on the ground act as giant vacuum cleaners for grit etc. NOT desirable. Some urban airports are now brining in limits as to the total ground noise envelope. Others have noise limits with early & late landings; a 10 minute taxi in creating 5 minutes of unnecessary noise (after cool down). Then there is air pollution emanating from airports. Using tugs is expensive too. However traditionally airports don't make a separate charge for their use - yet. Gate & taxiway operations will speed up considerably. WT will be a godsend.
When it comes to dips indentations and ramps etc, these have been factored in. Power usage can be momentarily increased to cope.
NSEU, WT's intent is to eliminate the day to day need for tugs. I shan't be addressing the commercially sensitive issue of pushback method here. Are you aware of the number of accidents directly caused by the use of tugs. Not risks, actual events. It was a proof of concept. The video is Boeing's.
Quite rightly WT were not allowed to interfere with ANY on-board systems. Hence the need for a separate power supply. V0.1 was never intended to be remotely close to V1.0. Boeing / Air Canada were satisfied with the method used to prove the concept. As were/are Delta and numerous others. To visually satisfy lay viewers of the video, the Proof of Concept test would have cost many millions more. Money WT just doesn't have to splash about.
When it comes to the real thing, none of your concerns will be issues. If they were, the project would have ceased by now.
The concept isn't new. There were experiments with hook on diesel motors in the 50's. I guess they floundered because the cost of fuel, noise, and environmental concerns weren't topics in those days.
Have any of you pilots experienced Virgin's towing a/c round airports? It seems to have ceased....
Last edited by rahosi; 7th Nov 2007 at 23:23.