Driverless pushback tugs
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Just for (my) interest
When are engine normally started, during pushback or after pushback? Does that vary with aircraft size?
I noticed that the first engine was started during pushback (B738) and I think that I remember that when flying internationally (larger aircraft) that the first engine doesn't usually get started until after pushback. Once again is this to reduce 'turn around time' - surely not.
Lastly I found (by accident) a video clip on YouTube of a person walking past a running jet engine (on a civilian aircraft) and being sucked into the engine. Is that a beat up or has it actually happened as I would imagine that the engines were just idling. I know it has happened onboard aircraft carriers when engines are run up to full before takeoff and there are personnel close to the aircraft.
When are engine normally started, during pushback or after pushback? Does that vary with aircraft size?
I noticed that the first engine was started during pushback (B738) and I think that I remember that when flying internationally (larger aircraft) that the first engine doesn't usually get started until after pushback. Once again is this to reduce 'turn around time' - surely not.
Lastly I found (by accident) a video clip on YouTube of a person walking past a running jet engine (on a civilian aircraft) and being sucked into the engine. Is that a beat up or has it actually happened as I would imagine that the engines were just idling. I know it has happened onboard aircraft carriers when engines are run up to full before takeoff and there are personnel close to the aircraft.
I was flying domestic when JQ started to use driverless tugs. I was led to believe then that it was due to cost, partially due to the operator did not have to be an engineer. Was that correct or have things changed?
It may be a false economy at Qantas as there is enough ramp staff around to drive a pushback tug so I'm not sure implementing them would be a cost saving. A greenfield operation where everything was starting from scratch it may be worthwhile like Jetstar and Virgin. In Qantas I can imagine it causing a few IR issues.
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jparnold, it's no urban legand, the threat is serious and real: Preventing
Engine Ingestion Injuries When Working Near Airplanes
Engine Ingestion Injuries When Working Near Airplanes
Nunc est bibendum
When are engine normally started, during pushback or after pushback? Does that vary with aircraft size?
Depending on aircraft weight and strength of the tug sometimes an engineer may request you hold the start and N til completion of the push or for 4 engined aircraft no more than two started on push with remainder on completion of the push.
I have been in military and airline aviation for forty years and have always used 'port' and 'starboard' where possible.
Show me an AFM, AOM, ACM AMM or anything from the last twenty years in Australian aviation that uses port and starboard and not left and right.
Port is always port. Starboard is always starboard. But left and right can depend which way you are facing.
Gawd, the level of knowledge in the aviation community has sunk to all time lows.
Show me an AFM, AOM, ACM AMM or anything from the last twenty years in Australian aviation that uses port and starboard and not left and right
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Cabin crew getting their aircraft left and right muddled?
Cabin crew state which side of the aircraft they are on every time they pick up the phone. "Left 2, Tracey". They even do this from the remarkably difficult orientation of rear facing jump seats. I find it pretty hard to believe any cabin crew anywhere in the world would confuse the left and right side of the aircraft.
However, I'd be guessing that a percentage of them would have a bit of trouble with port and starboard.
Cabin crew state which side of the aircraft they are on every time they pick up the phone. "Left 2, Tracey". They even do this from the remarkably difficult orientation of rear facing jump seats. I find it pretty hard to believe any cabin crew anywhere in the world would confuse the left and right side of the aircraft.
However, I'd be guessing that a percentage of them would have a bit of trouble with port and starboard.
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There is a company that makes a motorized front gear with internal and external controls. The ac can be backed out with a ground remote, then can taxi using the electric motor rather than the engines.
Seems like a pretty good idea, and it really doesnt weigh much, not sure why it isnt widely used, especially for freighters like FedEx.
"Together with a powerful team of partners Lufthansa Technik successfully tested a new way of ground operations: electric motors installed on an Airbus A320 aircraft was subject to close scrutiny during one week. For the first time ever electric motors were installed on the main landing gear of a commercial aircraft taking over all necessary movements of an aircraft on ground. L-3 Communications, Fraport, as well as Lufthansa German Airlines and Lufthansa Technik, with Airbus support, teamed up to jointly test the technology demonstrator which might lead to a new way for aircraft to taxi."
https://youtu.be/puJ7DaXu0K8
Seems like a pretty good idea, and it really doesnt weigh much, not sure why it isnt widely used, especially for freighters like FedEx.
"Together with a powerful team of partners Lufthansa Technik successfully tested a new way of ground operations: electric motors installed on an Airbus A320 aircraft was subject to close scrutiny during one week. For the first time ever electric motors were installed on the main landing gear of a commercial aircraft taking over all necessary movements of an aircraft on ground. L-3 Communications, Fraport, as well as Lufthansa German Airlines and Lufthansa Technik, with Airbus support, teamed up to jointly test the technology demonstrator which might lead to a new way for aircraft to taxi."
https://youtu.be/puJ7DaXu0K8
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(Very) old humour
Port, Starboard, Left, Right...
It's simple:
Port is Left.
If there are two sides to an aircraft and Port is one of them; that means there is only one side left.
Starboard is left.
DIVOSH!
It's simple:
Port is Left.
If there are two sides to an aircraft and Port is one of them; that means there is only one side left.
Starboard is left.
DIVOSH!
Doesn't get passed me.
Once I get it I keep it!
Once I get it I keep it!
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I seem to remember some time back (at Sydney) that the crew requested the ground staff to commence push back and that nothing happened - to them at least. However the aircraft several bays away (that was boarding at the time) started to move back. It took a fairly short time to realise that the remotes were mixed up. Unfortunately there was some damage to the forward pax door on the pushed back aircraft -plus lots of red faces.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Correct me if I am wrong.
