Originally Posted by
Shagpile
Small deviation from the original question: for large airports with long taxi's, have aircraft ever been pushed back & towed to the holding point & started engines 2-3 minutes prior to takeoff ?
I've seen it once where an aircraft wouldn't have been able to make their min t/o fuel for a ferry flight.
I think virgin America were looking at doing a trial with automated tugs, towing aircraft around until they needed the required engine warm up period prior to takeoff.
Rumors of Boeing or airbus new designs having some one the wheels turned by electric motors so you can self taxi on just the APU.