Towbarless tractors (TBLTs), also known as towbarless tow vehicles (TLTVs), are used to tow aircraft on the airport. TBLTs, as the name implies, do not use a towbar but instead use a pick-up device located in the center of the vehicle to cradle the nose gear tires in order to provide direct maneuvering of the aircraft. TBLT operations have increased in recent years due to the superior maneuverability provided by these vehicles and a renewed focus on energy and environmental conservation. The absence of towbars and the higher operating speeds mean that aircraft movements, pushbacks, gate-to-gate towing, and maintenance towing can be carried out faster than with conventional towbar tractors, minimizing impacts to airport operations. While some airports, airlines, and service providers have developed standards specific to their operation of TBLTs, no industry-wide guidance exists for this type of operation. Several incidents involving TBLTs have raised awareness of the need to establish Best Practices guidelines for TBLT operations.


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    Title :

    Use of Towbarless Tractors at Airports: Best Practices. Research Results Digest 15


    Publication date :

    2012


    Size :

    15 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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