Pilot Would Drive Tractor From The Cockpit

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2009 International Paris Air Show to jointly develop and test an environmentally friendly pilot-controlled towing semi-robotic system.

The Taxibot Dispatch Towing system, designed by IAI, would allow both wide and narrow body commercial airplanes to taxi to and from the gate and the runway without the use of their jet engines.

According to IAI, the Taxibot Dispatch Towing concept represents a potential to reduce annual fuel costs from $8 billion to less than $2 billion, CO2 emissions from 18 billion tons to less than 2 million tons per year, and noise emissions by a significant margin.

Yehushua (Shuki) Eldar, IAI's Corporate VP of Business Development and Subsidiaries says: "We are excited to work on the development of this eco-efficient taxiing dispatch system. The project demonstrates our commitment to the environment and utilizes IAI's robotics capabilities and technological experience.”

IAI and Airbus are studying the performance, operational, commercial, and safety aspects of the system on a series of ground taxiing tests on Airbus' A-340-600 airplane in Toulouse. The companies have agreed that following successful test period results, they may establish a Joint Venture (JV) to develop and certify the Taxibot and market the program.

According to plans, the Taxibot operational system is expected to be ready for first deliveries by the third quarter of 2011.

The special design of the Taxibot gives the pilot full control of the system during the taxiing process, and uses the existing airplane controls in the same way that the pilot is accustomed to when taxiing using the airplane's engines. The use of the Taxibot system requires no modification to the airplane and minimal modifications to the airport infrastructure which will not affect existing taxiways and runways.

FMI: www.iai.co.il