Delta Air Lines says that it has agreed to help Chorus Motors subsidiary, WheelTug, in developing a system that allows pilots to reverse from gates without the aid of conventional pushback.
The system would also allow crew to taxi to and from runways without using engines and reduce fuel consumption. Aircraft use significant amounts of fuel in taxiing to holding or remote start positions and although not all are as thirsty as Concorde, which apparently burnt huge amounts of kerosene just to get to the runway, it is nonetheless a major consideration.
If it comes up to expectations the WheelTug innovation could have far-reaching effects, rather like the underwater directional pods now a standard feature on new merchant vessels, virtually eliminating the need for tugboats.
The WheelTug system includes powerful electric motors in the aeroplane's nose wheel that will enable pilots to back away from gates and then taxi to their takeoff, or a remote start point before starting the aircraft's main engines. After landing, the pilot can turn off the jet engines and use the system to manoeuvre the aircraft to its gate. Power comes from the APU (auxiliary power unit), used to drive subsidiary systems such as the air conditioning and electronics.
"Certainly we expect this to be a 'win' for us on the business side by reducing our costs, but we're also excited about the potential for removing some complexity from gate operations for our ground personnel and doing it in an environmentally friendly fashion," said Delta director of quality, engineering and training, Walt Klein.
Other airlines are watching with great interest with WheelTug known to have had discussions with UK carriers regarding investment. Manufacturers are also monitoring the system, which could become a standard fit on new aircraft and Delta says it could begin installing the system on its fleet of ”new generation” Boeing 737s as early as the fourth quarter 2009. The airline has acquired warrants to buy 600,000 shares in WheelTug plc.