WheelTug, a unit of European manufacturer Chorus Motors, is looking to certify its electric wheel drive for ground manoeuvring of Airbus A320 family aircraft.
The company has agreed to form an alliance with French group Association pour le Developpement Durable dans l'Aviation Civile (ADDAC) to develop and certify the WheelTug system for the A320 family “and seek cooperation of a European airline A320 operator”, says ADDAC.
ADDAC says its members include engineers, pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, mechanics and airport ground staff.
WheelTug could not be immediately reached for comment on the partnership.
In April, Delta Air Lines agreed to invest in WheelTug to develop a wheel drive system for the Boeing 737 Next Generation models. As launch customer, Delta is to install the first units on its fleet of 737s. Regulatory approval is expected in 2009, according to Chorus.
Electric nosewheel drive allows the pilot to back away from gates and taxi without the use of the aircraft’s engines or a tug.
To view the WheelTug video click here
Source: FlightGlobal.com
