Lektro is showcasing a new battery-electric towbarless aircraft tow trucker (TLTV) at the show.
The US company is looking to win business with the zero-emissions trucker in Europe. “What makes this new trucker special is that it is battery operated,” says marketing director Stephen Sipe.
“The powerful electric motor runs clean and quiet, so future air and noise pollution are not a concern. A battery can last for at least 16 hours over a period of two heavy shifts.”
The new TLTV is also easier and a lot safer for operators to use as they don’t have to handle the heavy towbars. “We were the first company to introduce the towbarless vehicle in 1967, and we improve on them all the time,” says Sipe.
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“It is also safer for the aircraft too as the vehicle is much gentler. We have got rid of the antiquated towbar and replaced it with a patented universal cradle that quickly and gently adapts to nearly every aircraft on the market. A built-in winch gently pulls the aircraft into the handle and cradles the aircraft nose gear at the front of the tug.
This gives the operator unprecedented manoeuvrability maximising hangar stacking capabilites,” says Sipe.
Lektro’s customers include general and corporate aviation, regional airlines, and military and government in the US and many other countries.
“In the US we have more regional airline business than anyone else. We’re at Farnborough to show the European market our capabilities in this revolutionary towing trucker, especially the military market,” says Sipe.
Source: Flight International