WheelTug

WheelTug is an in-wheel electric taxi system under development by a company of the same name. The system enables airplanes to taxi forward and backward without needing a tow tractor or using main jet engines. WheelTug accomplishes this goal through twin electric motors installed in the nose wheels;[1] these motors are powered by the aircraft's Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). According to Aviation Week, the WheelTug system will provide particular savings in ground turnaround time and increased aircraft utilization.[2] Reductions in fuel usage, engine and brake wear, emissions and other expenses will also contribute to net savings.[3] Lowered emissions are especially important in light of research showing that electric taxiing may reduce emissions by 40% compared to traditional dual-engine taxiing. [4]

In December 2016, the FAA accepted the company's Supplemental Type Certification (STC) plan for the Boeing 737 Next Generation models. As of January 2017 more than 20 commercial airlines have plans to use the system. The WheelTug system will enter service for the 737NG once the certification process is complete in late 2018, with Canadian carrier Air Transat as the launch customer.[5] [6]

History

WheelTug was initially seen as a means to address high fuel prices.[7] More recently the focus has shifted to the amount of ground time that WheelTug will save, thereby allowing airplanes to fly additional routes. In the future, airlines will also be able to re-introduce dual-door loading and unloading of narrow-body aircraft, reducing ground times even more.[8]

Marketplace

As of 2017 TaxiBot, a semi-robotic towbar-less tractor which meets and connects to aircraft, is the only alternative E-Taxiing system certified and currently in use. TaxiBot can tow aircraft from the gate to the takeoff point.

Another competitor previously under development by EGTS International, a joint venture between Honeywell and Safran, sought to install ground taxi motors in the main landing gear wheels.[9] [10] Honeywell has left the joint venture, but Safran continues to work on the program.[11] [12]


References

  1. ↑ Wall Street Journal article by Scott McCartney dated December 29, 2013, "When an Airplane Needs a Taxi;" https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-an-airplane-needs-a-taxi-1387917073?tesla=y
  2. ↑ Aviation Week article dated January 10, 2017; "WheelTug Begins E-Taxi Certification and Promises Pushback Savings" by Graham Warwick; http://aviationweek.com/technology/wheeltug-begins-e-taxi-certification-and-promises-pushback-savings
  3. ↑ Airports International online article dated June 21, 2010;"WheelTug;" http://www.airportsinternational.com/2010/06/wheeltug/5420
  4. ↑ M.I. MD Ithnan et al; "Aircraft Taxiing Strategy Optimization;" Ph.D. research paper, Technology University of Delft, Department of Maritime and Transport Technology, p.6; http://rstrail.nl/new/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/izzudin_ithnan.pdf
  5. ↑ Air Transport World online article dated January 10, 2017; "WheelTug Touts Taxi System's Time Savings;" http://atwonline.com/eco-aviation/wheeltug-touts-taxi-system-s-time-savings
  6. ↑ CBC News online article dated January 18, 2017;"Air Transat to test taxiing system that could cut emissions;" http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-transat-wheeltug-1.3941862
  7. ↑ wired.com article dated November 8, 2011;"Airline Seeks Electric Assist To Cut Costs, Delays;" https://www.wired.com/2011/11/company-wants-to-upgrade-boeing-737-to-hybrid-electric/
  8. ↑ Royal Aeronautical Society, "Paris Air Show 2017-Day Four and Summary," dated June 23, 2017; https://www.aerosociety.com/news/paris-air-show-2017-day-four-and-summary/
  9. ↑ AIN Online article dated February 11, 2014;"WheelTug, Safran-Honeywell and IAI Offer Three Rival Solutions for Airline Engine-off Taxiing;" http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2014-02-11/wheeltug-safran-honeywell-and-iai-offer-three-rival-solutions-airline-engine-taxiing
  10. ↑ flightglobal.com online article dated 24 February 2015;"ANALYSIS: IAI to start widebody TaxiBot certification in autumn;" https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-iai-to-start-widebody-taxibot-certificati-409267/
  11. ↑ flightglobal.com article dated 13 July, 2016;"FARNBOROUGH: Honeywell and Safran halt electric taxi project;" https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-honeywell-and-safran-halt-electric-tax-427400/
  12. ↑ aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com article dated June 22, 2017;"Airbus Paris Air Show 2017 highlights;" http://www.aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com/article/airbus-paris-air-show-2017-highlights-062217/
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