Driverless pushback tugs
Just arrived home on a Virgin B737-800 at Sydney.
Before disembarking I was watching the aircraft at the next gate - also a B737-800. The pushback tug was attached to the port landing gear NOT the nosewheel AND it did not have a driver. The ground crew person (with comms cable attached to the aircraft) followed the aircraft by foot and at the end of the pushback he unplugged his comms cable from the aircraft and then went to the tug, climbed in and manually drove it away. I have never seen this before. How long have remote controlled tugs been used? Also is it only Virgin who use the rear door to embark/disembark the passengers in the rear of the aircraft instead of via the airbridge? Not so easy climbing the stairs with unchecked luggage. Thanks |
How long have remote controlled tugs been used? Also is it only Virgin who use the rear door to embark/disembark the passengers in the rear of the aircraft instead of via the airbridge? Not so easy climbing the stairs with unchecked luggage. But of course if your carry on luggage was the correct weight and dimensions it wouldn't be a problem, right? ;-) morno |
JQ use the remote-control main gear tugs too.
I think even Qantas did a trial for a bit, not sure how that went. |
PS. Port and starboard is for maritime use. ;)
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Oh yes, the left main. Which way were you facing again?
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Plenty of port left in the bottle.... No wait, Port was the right bottle, no hang on I've got this... No port was in the bottle, right?
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A little red port left up the bottle! :ok:
Reminds me of an incident a few years back where the driverless operator was wondering why his aeroplane wasn't moving; he was using the wrong controller, or some such. The aeroplane that did move had it's door ripped off by the aerobridge! |
Bloggs. JQ I think.
QF regularly using rear door for 737 ops weather permitting. |
QF regularly using rear door for 737 ops weather permitting. |
Pretty cruel everywhere in my opinion but they reckon it got them the equivalent of 2 airframes for zero cost so that's decent money.
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they reckon it got them the equivalent of 2 airframes for zero cost |
But of course if your carry on luggage was the correct weight and dimensions it wouldn't be a problem, right? ;-) It's been a while since we flew internally. We usually fly internationally. ALSO the tug/tractor was attached to the 'LEFT' MAIN undercarriage (not the nosewheel so maybe the pilot was 'steering' during pushback instead of it being controlled by the tractor driver) and BEHIND it so it PULLED not PUSHED. Sorry about using 'port'. Maybe that's why I'm only a flight simmer and not a pilot :ugh: And I'll drink to that! |
Driverless tugs been used in NZ since at least 2003 on the AKL domestic apron.
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For example, if one B738 has 8 t/rounds a day, that's 80 minutes saved but can that time be profitably used.... |
Aerostatic Yep, driverless units were used in NZCH some time ago. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any around lately. Don't get to see that part of the operation much these days, but have seen staffed units used to push back both ANZ & J* Airbusses on my recent rare visits.
Le Vieux |
jparnold, no need to apologise! I have been in military and airline aviation for forty years and have always used 'port' and 'starboard' where possible. We are also 'pilots', and we 'navigate'.
Those of a certain age may remember the British Kegworth crash where a 737 crew shut down the wrong engine partially because cabin crew got left and right mixed up when reporting symptoms. Port is always port. Starboard is always starboard. But left and right can depend which way you are facing. |
Have I been asleep for years or what.
These battery push backs have been around for at least 7 years I reckon. These units clap onto the main gear, how about we say in the case of an A320 or a 737, behind No 1 engine and drive the main gear wheels to provide thrust. During pushback, the engineer on the ground, via headsets, directs the pilot which way to steer so no need for steering pass pin. When at the desired pushback stop the engineer, via remote control, commands the tug to disengage from the main gear, which it does and then powers it back to the bay. The engineer then departs the A/C as per usual. Simple. And don't start me on the carry on baggage. It's a joke what is allowed to be taken on board these days. |
Port and starboard is for maritime use |
Those of a certain age may remember the British Kegworth crash where a 737 crew shut down the wrong engine partially because cabin crew got left and right mixed up when reporting symptoms. |
During pushback, the engineer on the ground, via headsets, directs the pilot which way to steer so no need for steering pass pin. |
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