Why are planes towed

If a gear ground lock pin is installed for the tow, it may need to be removed after the completion of the manoeuvre. When any ground locking pins are fitted to an aircraft for towing or any other purposes or when they are subsequently removed, it is usual to require the recording of such action in the Aircraft Technical Log. These must be approved for use with a particular aircraft type and clearly marked as such since there is no universal towbar specification.

All towing is subject to the observance of any AFM limits for maximum nose landing gear steering angle. The responsibilities of a ground crew team carrying out an aircraft tow include ensuring that no part of the aircraft structure will impact any fixed object, vehicle, or other aircraft. The ground crew should have intercom communication with the personnel on the flight deck and both parties should be able to listen to communications with ATC.

To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www. Read more about: Quebec. Report an error. Journalistic Standards. It is safer to have a tug maneuver the aircraft than to taxi it when in close proximity to obstructions. Is this a fuel-saving measure and, if so, why isn't it used all the time? A: Using ground tugs to move airplanes on the ground does save fuel.

It also allows for precise parking as the tug driver can see the area around the airplane better than the pilot can from the flight deck. Although planes are able to roll, a great deal of effort is needed to get such a mass moving. Tyres used on these machines must offer the best possible traction. If planes can be quickly relocated in a safe manner, this will improve passenger flow at the gate and traffic flow on the runway, and will prevent passengers from encountering delays.

Earth-moving and industrial tyres per vehicle type.