Revolutionizing Aircraft Ground Operations with Electric Technology

Passenger jets aren’t going supersonic anytime soon, but there’s some new technology that might deliver gate-to-gate total flight times rivaling supersonic travel. With a novel electric AC induction motor driving a plane’s nose-gear wheels, considerable time can be saved during pushback, taxiing, and even passenger loading. The motor’s unique design can deliver enough torque to get a 200,000-lbs aircraft rolling while providing light weight and high performance at higher taxiing speeds. In essence, it emulates a gearless “virtual transmission.”

Innovative Motor Design

The motor’s innovative winding allows its controller to vary the number of phases, magnetic poles, and alternating current frequency—for example, from the typical AC three-phase to as many as 12 or 18. This allows it to efficiently deliver the torque of a DC permanent magnet motor while providing the lighter weight, lower cost, and improved performance of an AC-induction motor at higher operating speeds.

Flying Hybrids Mean Big Savings

This advanced technology has been developed by Gibraltar-based Chorus Motors, which has been patiently working to commercialize the technology via its subsidiary. The CEO is now reasonably certain final flight certification will be granted soon, with new production and retrofit installations beginning shortly thereafter. A grand demonstration is scheduled to take place at a major airport in the near future.

The innovative system has been demonstrated on various aircraft sizes, always utilizing standard auxiliary power units for energy—no additional batteries need to be installed. Now, the company is targeting shorter-haul narrow-body aircraft like the 737 and Airbus A320. Here’s how this technology promises to save fuel and time on typical flights:

• Eliminate the wait for “wing-walkers” and a tug operator to arrive, connect the tug to the nose gear, attach the communications link, and push back.
• Reduce the time taken to disconnect and clear ramp personnel and vehicles from the area.
• Begin taxiing immediately, with no need to hold for jet-blast reasons.
• Start engines only in time to warm them before takeoff.
• Land and almost immediately shut off the engines, allowing them to cool en route to the gate so that ground crew can begin servicing and collecting luggage immediately upon arrival.
• Taxi right up to the gate without needing a tow-in.

Fuel savings are projected at 36 gallons per flight, and a time savings of 8.5 minutes during push-back alone could significantly improve operational efficiency. Enhanced predictability of all time spent on the ground is a notable benefit, as push-back currently extends beyond 13 minutes on a small percentage of flights, necessitating airlines to allow extra time in their schedules.

More Savings and Efficiency

Moreover, this technology forecasts further savings of approximately $100 per flight for push-back fees and $95 in engine wear, while significantly reducing the risk of foreign-object damage from debris sucked in from the runway. This also minimizes the potential for collisions caused by tug operators.

Innovative Parking Solutions

One impressive feature for reducing aircraft time on the ground is “the Twist.” The 737 and A320 aircraft are about 120 feet long, and WheelTug power enables the nose gear to swivel, allowing the aircraft to pivot almost in place. This functionality facilitates a type of “parallel parking,” reminiscent of designs from the ’50s and ’60s, where passengers can embark and disembark in significantly less time.

iBestTravel is confident that it can save airlines substantial amounts of money by installing the system at no cost, charging airlines only half of their realized savings as determined by the system’s built-in monitors.

Future Opportunities

While short-term benefits are substantial, there is also the potential for technological advancement in other industries. Notably, some automakers known for their hybrid powertrains have shown interest in licensing this innovative technology. This opens the door for electric vehicles that could incorporate such “virtual transmission” e-machines for improved performance on the road.