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G&G Aviation and WheelTug allow great savings to airlines

G&G Aviation, based in Rome, entered into an agreement with the Gilbraltar company WheelTug to promote, on the italian market, their system which enables aircraft to leave the gate and reach the runway without using main jet engines.

WheelTug’s system is centered on two powerful electric motors, subtly integrated inside the wheels of an aircraft’s nose landing gear. Controlled by the pilot, the motors drive the aircraft forward and reverse, from the gate to the runway for takeoff, and back to the gate after landing. The motors themselves draw electricity from the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU), cutting fuel burn by up to 85%.

Despite its ubiquity, says CEO Isaiah Cox, “the conventional pushback process is a hornets’ nest of logistical delays, safety anxiety and economic waste. It’s extravagant to use jet engines to push an aircraft at city road speeds.” Everyone from pilots to airline financial managers, says Cox, “understands the need for an alternative. But there was no technological solution, until now.”

The benefits may be dramatic, with WheelTug estimating that a typical Boeing 737NG can save well over 375,000 Euros annually with the system installed. The most obvious savings is the reduction in fuel burn,” says CEO Cox. “Even in single-engine mode, an A320 or Boeing 737 will burn over 7kg of fuel per minute while taxiing,” producing over 21 kg per minute of CO2 and other emissions.

But WheelTug officials also expect a wider range of benefits that extend from pushback through flight to taxi-in like no need of push-back, reduced risk of FOD, reduced transit time etc.

WheelTug expects FAA and EASA certification of the system in 1Q 2013. The company’s first target markets are operators of commercial narrow-bodies, (Boeing 737NG and Airbus A320 families) but its vision of the future is even larger, encompassing both regional jets and military aircraft.

With the company receiving “significant interest” from commercial carriers and the announcement of El Al as launching customer for the B737, European development chief Jan Vana says the company is preparing for an order backlog to develop during the next several months. “WheelTug is one of the only fundamental advances in ground handling over the last century, so we’re expecting a busy time ahead.”

Giovanni F. Piccione, Managing Director & CEO of G&G Aviation, commented on this new representation: " WheelTug is a very smart device and provides a great benefit to the airlines which can very easily evaluate a business case where they start saving sensible money immediately after installation. Since the system is offered on a lease basis there is no need for airlines to advance large investment. We are glad to be in position to offer to our customers this new product that brings them money instead of costing.".

Additional information about WheelTug system can be found at www.wheeltug.com

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