When it comes to getting airplanes into place or providing them with that extra nudge in the right direction, airport employees turn to an airplane tug. This vehicle is part of the essential tools at an airport known as ground support equipment (GSE). While never as glamorous or celebrated as the planes, they are a critical component of the operation of any airport – public, private or military. In this world, airplane tugs play a small but crucial role.
What Is an Airplane Tug?
An airplane tug is a type of GSE. You can find them at any airport. They have been around since the 1920s, although, at this time, they were used to transfer freight from trains. They were adaptations of tractors. This explained the first name – tow tractors. By World War II, several companies had gotten into the action, including the Clark Equipment Company, the Northwestern Motor Company and the Ford motor company. The various machines, including the Clarktor and the Ford Fergusson, still looked like tractors.
In the 1950s, companies such as Tracma and the Northwestern Motor Company began to alter the look. They began to produce purpose-suited aircraft tugs and tractors. The former term is more common in Europe; the latter is more applicable in North America. These newer tugs began to resemble the modern concept – a motor with wheels. These new tugs were capable of pushing (earning them the name “pushback) a plane away from the gate or pulling it into the hangar.
To accomplish a pushback, an airplane tug commonly employs a tow-bar. This device links the plane and the tug together to allow the tug to do its work. This type of tug is a towbar tug. However, with planes increasing in size, companies are now producing tugs that do not require a towbar. These towless aircraft tugs are said to offer several advantages over their tow bar types.
What Are the Advantages of a Towless Airplane Tug?
For those who plan to make the switch to or want to include them as part of their arsenal of standard GSE, the following is a brief list of potential advantages:
- Less maintenance and replacement is required when there is no towbar
- A towless airplane tug can operate in all types of weather
- Heat does not affect it
- Routine maintenance – particularly for those operated by battery, is minimal
- May require less personnel to operate and maintain
- Training is simple
While this does not mean airport operators and managers should switch exclusively over to towless airplane tugs, it does indicate this requires consideration. As a means of reducing cost, improving safety and acting environmentally responsible, the electric or battery operated towless airplane tug does indicate a movement forward in GSE technology and morality.