WheelTug

Electric taxiing was invented at least as far back as 1943. ^[1] Other patents date to 1945 ^[2], the 1960s^[3] and the 1970s.^[4].

WheelTug is an in-wheel electric taxi system under development by a company of the same name, Wheeltug is a subsidiary of and majority owned by Borealis Exploration.^[5] The system will enable airplanes to taxi forward and backward without needing a tow tractor or using main jet engines. WheelTug will accomplish this goal through twin electric motors installed in the nose wheels;^[6] these motors will be powered by the aircraft's Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). According to Aviation Week, the WheelTug system was projected to provide savings in ground turnaround time and increased aircraft utilization.^{[7][8] [9]}

In June 2005 Chorus Motors ground tested the WheelTug concept on an Air Canada 767 at the Evergreen Air Center at Pinal Air Park in Marana, Arizona with an electric motor attached to the nose wheel for taxi testing, the first demonstration of electric taxiing onboard an actual aircraft.^[10] Delta Airlines issued a press release in 2007 that Delta would become a development partner and launch customer for Wheeltug expecting installation of first production units on Delta's 737s by late 2009.^[11] According to a Wheeltug press release, roller tests were conducted at Prague Airport in November 2010 in snowy and icy conditions, and the first fully 'in-wheel' demonstration unit was tested there June 2012. 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 accepted optional production slots. The WheelTug system is hoped to enter service for the 737NG once the certification process is complete in late 2018, with Canadian carrier Air Transat as the launch customer.^{[12] [13]}

Marketplace

TaxiBot, a semi-robotic towbar-less tractor which meets and connects to aircraft, currently it 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,^{[14] [15]} the partnership was dissolved due to the new economics imposed by the sharp drop in the price of jet fuel but Safran continues to work on the concept.^{[16] [17]}

References

External links

• WheelTug main site