this could revoluntionize turnarounds at airports

[legoalex2000]

just read this at boeing.com's website after looking up something about the FBI tapping into phone lines and internet connections on airplanes.

story, well i'll let you read it. this WILL make turnarounds at airports 10x easier

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/200 ... 0801a.html

[TacitBlue]

I had this idea years ago. I figured that they had already tried something like this, so I never even thought about doing something with it.

[Craig.]

sounds good in theory, but dont drop the tug just yet. What if it breaks? more delays more things to go wrong.

[Hagar]

sounds good in theory, but dont drop the tug just yet. What if it breaks? more delays more things to go wrong.

Indeed. I'm sure I've seen this idea demonstrated before. Maybe I dreamed it.

PS. Come to think of it we discussed it here not so long ago. Maybe we should sue.

[beaky]

I dunno about this clever idea... adds weight and complexity. I'll bet most ATPs would look at it as just another thing that might give them trouble...
Maybe they should revolutionize the tugs, instead: two sets of steerable wheels, improve the ease of latching to the aircraft, etc.
Besides, the greatest delay on the ground, in my experience, occurs in between pullout or pushback and the runway. Getting in and out of the gate is the least of it.
Then there's the one even the most clever will have trouble outwitting: the weather.

[legoalex2000]

Besides, the greatest delay on the ground, in my experience, occurs in between pullout or pushback and the runway. Getting in and out of the gate is the least of it.
Then there's the one even the most clever will have trouble outwitting: the weather.

and those passengers who dont get it about being "early" to get "on-time" to the plane.

although im not one to speak, becuase i missed my plane from KABQ-KORD on monday  ;)

i think it's a great idea, but yes it probably means more mechanical what-not...

Ramos

[Triple_7]

Sounds like more things to go wrong and could cause more delays then they might expect.  I dont think I would want to know the extra onboard weight of an electric motor that could push and pull a fully loaded 747 around  If a tug has problems then there are more around to use...If an attached electric motor has problems then probably has to be fixed before the aircraft can get airborn causing longer delays :-/

How about an electric motor on the ground that is on some kind of track and could push the aircraft back into the position required.  Makes more sence and then you wont have the added weight to the aircraft  Still...Problems can and always will arrise

[legoalex2000]

you guys make it sound like this motor is going to weigh as much as the aircraft itself. were talking a coulple hundred pounds, at most. just means us americans have to not eat that extra piece of cake  ::)

it's still a good brainstorming idea. i dont think the track thing would work. imagine, if the motor breaks, a tug pulls it off to the side, if the guide breaks, you have a plane stuck on the taxiway hooked to the ground, blocking the way. also a good thought though.

Ramos

[Jared]

Wot? Can't have our cake and eat it too?  :(