While most attention at the recent Farnborough Airshow was focused on aircraft and airline announcements, a small British company had an announcement of its own: WheelTug scored its first European customer for its steerable nosewheel.
Spanish discount carrier Albastar has adopted the device, which allows pilots to dock aircraft without burning expensive jet fuel and without requiring a tug to come and move the plane to or from the gate. WheelTug is built into the plane’s nosewheel and combines an electric motor capable of moving the plane with camera and guidance equipment that lets the pilot see and steer.
Albastar currently operates an all-737 fleet, and all of them will gt the system; the contract also provides for installation on future A220s for the company. The company says that over 25 other airlines elsewhere have signed on for the system.
The goal is not only to reduce emissions, but to allow quicker clearance of gates and runways by eliminating the need for additional personnel and vehicles to move planes.
