Taxing to the gate vs being towed
Nov 28, 2008 | 10:55 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
My experience with tow-in gates is that they are generally at the inside edge of a terminal where there is very little room for error so the plane is towed in to ensure that it doesn't "miss" the correct location.
Nov 28, 2008 | 11:03 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 60
Nominally, it's a gate-specific issue. A gate is deemed a "tow-in" gate for the following possible reasons (and there may be more):
1. The taxi route from the hookup point to the gate is too circuitous for the pilot to safely maneuver.
2. The gate's location makes nearby aircraft/equipment/personnel abnormally vulnerable to jet blast if an aircraft were to taxi to it.
Alternatively, due to weather/personnel/safety considerations, a pilot may opt to be towed to a gate that is not necessarily restricted to tow-ins.
1. The taxi route from the hookup point to the gate is too circuitous for the pilot to safely maneuver.
2. The gate's location makes nearby aircraft/equipment/personnel abnormally vulnerable to jet blast if an aircraft were to taxi to it.
Alternatively, due to weather/personnel/safety considerations, a pilot may opt to be towed to a gate that is not necessarily restricted to tow-ins.
Nov 29, 2008 | 12:07 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
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I think Branson was trying to push that a while back, don't think it ever took off. Seems like a pretty reasonable idea to me, even if the cost savings were small. With little or no takeoff line, the savings would probably add up.
Dec 8, 2008 | 12:20 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2007
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VS did try this towing method, which was called "Starting Grid" in which the plane is towed from the stand to an area located within 10 minutes before takeoff to start engines thereby conserving CO2 emissions. The method did not take off because tests determined that towing a plane that long a distance put too much stress on the front landing gear. What many airlines do now after pushback from the stand is to start with one engine, power out and taxi then start the rest of the engines while taxiing close to takeoff position in order to save fuel.
Dec 8, 2008 | 8:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Posts: 3,794
This, BTW, is the source of the loud "barking" noise on Airbus jets. When running on one engine, a transfer pump runs to keep the hydraulic system powered by the inactive engine pressurized. This pump makes a heck of a racket.