EGTS International

Safran Honeywell EGTS installed on an Airbus A320

Developed by a joint venture of Honeywell and Safran, EGTS is an electric taxiing system that is used prior to takeoff and can help airlines reduce cost by eliminating the need to use jet engines which are not efficient on the ground. It can also reduce foreign object damage and is environmentally friendly as it reduce carbon and other emissions created during the taxiing phase. The main landing gear is equipped with an electric motor powered by an auxiliary power unit which allows the aircraft to push back from the gate and taxi without a tug or its jet engines.[1] The system weighs 300 kg and is permanently installed on the aircraft.[2] The system can accelerate the aircraft to 20 knots.[3]

The system was first demonstrated in 2013 during the Paris Air Show. A memorandum of understanding with Air France was announced to continue development efforts.[2]

In March 2014, Indian low-cost carrier GoAir signed a memorandum of understanding with EGTS to test the system and supply operational data to have an accurate projection of fuel saving to potential customers.[4]

In July 2016, the partners terminated their Electric Green Taxiing System (EGTS) joint venture due to the sharp drop in oil and thus jet fuel prices.[5]

Marketplace

Competitor Taxibot is the only certified and operational alternative taxiing system in the market; it is a semi robotic tractor which meets the aircraft for taxi-in and taxi-out, once connected it is controlled by the pilot. Competing products in development by WheelTug are different as they are installed on the nose gear.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "EGTS brochure".
  2. 1 2 "Honeywell, Safran Demo Electric Taxiing System For Airlines". 18 June 2013.
  3. 1 2 "WheelTug, Safran-Honeywell and IAI Offer Three Rival Solutions for Airline Engine-off Taxiing". 11 February 2014.
  4. ↑ Research, Zacks Investment. "Honeywell & Safran Sign MOU for EGTS". Zacks.com. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  5. ↑ "FARNBOROUGH: Honeywell and Safran halt electric taxi project". Flightglobal.com. 2016-07-13. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
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