Two aviation innovators are combining technologies to revolutionise both sides of airport ground operations at the gate, and on the aircraft. Working together under a recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding, the companies’ respective systems will greatly enhance safety and throughput at airport gates.
The Safedock advanced visual docking guidance system (A-VDGS) from ADB SAFEGATE automates the task of safe docking at gates and stands, guiding aircraft with a highly accurate 3D laser scanning technique and an intuitive LED display. The WheelTug e-taxi system uses electric motors in the aircraft nose wheel. In conjunction with the WheelTug Vision camera/sensor system, pilots can manoeuvre forward and in reverse without needing tow tugs or generating jet blast.
WheelTug and ADB SAFEGATE complement each other very well by making it easier for airlines to operate precisely and expediently in increasingly crowded ramp areas, removing time-consuming procedures and failure points while improving the safety levels all parties expect.
“The collaboration with WheelTug is an important milestone in implementing our apron management strategy,” said Thorben Burghardt, Vice President, Gate, ADB SAFEGATE. “ADB SAFEGATE is applying intelligent integration and automation to bridge the siloes of different airport systems. Digitalising and automating the apron requires all stakeholders to collaborate closely to deliver lower costs, higher efficiency and safety, as well as happier passengers. WheelTug is a key partner in our apron management ecosystem.”
Sixty years ago, standard single-aisle aircraft could park parallel to terminal gates, with passengers using two jet bridges to board or deplane via both the front and aft doors. The practice has long been abandoned as jet thrust became too powerful, and nose-in parking became the norm to avoid jet blast incidents in the gate area. Together, WheelTug and ADB SAFEGATE offer the accuracy and safety needed to return this time-saving procedure to airlines and airports. Safedock A-VDGS technology will be a critical component of the WheelTug Guide docking system.
The two companies will jointly present their solutions later this month at the WheelTug TestDrive 2020 event held at Memphis International Airport (Tennessee, USA) on 15 September. “We look forward to showing aviation community members worldwide how they can operate more quickly, efficiently, and safely. We are pleased to announce this partnership and have ADB SAFEGATE team members join us in Memphis to demonstrate how WheelTug-equipped aircraft will interact seamlessly with gate-side technology,” said WheelTug CEO Isaiah Cox.
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed an order for seven A330neo aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet transformation, bringing its total…
Japan Airlines (JAL) has finalised an order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 widebody aircraft and 11 single-aisle A321neo at the…
Vietjet and Airbus have signed a contract for the acquisition of 20 new-generation wide-body A330neo (A330-900) aircraft, valued at USD…
AirAsia has announced the expansion of its operations in Malaysia to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS), also known as…
On the second day of the ongoing Show, Boeing and Qatar Airways announced that the carrier had ordered 20 more…
Brian Yutko, CEO of Boeing-owned Wisk Aero autonomous eVTOL vehicle, expects the aircraft to begin carrying passengers "later in the…
Lockheed Martin and the Slovak Republic have announced the arrival of the first F-16 Block 70 jets in Slovakia, signalling…
HADID International Services and the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) have announced a new strategic partnership through the signing of…
Advanced Air Mobility company Supernal's full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle product concept, S-A2, is on display at…
Boeing and Antonov Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaborative opportunities in defence-related projects. “We’re pleased to…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has appointed Dror Bar as the new Vice President and CEO of its subsidiary ELTA, following…
The Israeli Ministry of Defense's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) recently hosted a Demo Day to highlight the…
Drukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national carrier of Bhutan, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to…
Boeing and National Airlines have announced the carrier's commitment to its first order of four 777 Freighters. As the longest-range…
Boeing and Lufthansa Technik have announced an agreement designating Lufthansa Technik as the first Boeing-Licensed Service Center (BLSC) for cabin…
Boeing and Japan Airlines (JAL) have announced a new agreement for up to 20 additional 787 Dreamliners. This deal includes…
The first day of the year's biggest airshow started on a bright note for Embraer with The Netherlands and Austria…
Boeing and Luxair have announced that the European regional carrier is further expanding its fleet with a new order for…
Boeing and Korean Air have announced the airline's intention to acquire up to 50 of Boeing's fuel-efficient widebody planes, including…
ECS Group has reinforced its dedication to employee development with the Discovery internal training platform. This initiative is designed to…
Airbus and the Airports Council International (ACI) World have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting the aviation industry's efforts…
ITP Aero has become the first aeroengine design and manufacturing company to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the European…
Switzerland-based JEKTA has announced its selection of ZeroAvia’s fuel cell power generation system (PGS) to demonstrate a fuel cell variant…
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has awarded Boeing a USD 16.8 million contract to enhance the software and data systems…
Advanced air mobility (AAM) company Lilium, which is riding the momentum generated by the Saudia Group signing a binding sales…
Eve Air Mobility (Eve) has selected Diehl Aviation as the interior designer and producer, while ASE will supply the power…
With over 50 years of experience in developing specialty military-grade air cushion vehicles, Textron Systems is an industry leader in…
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Batik Air Malaysia have expanded their collaboration by launching a codeshare…
The All Nippon Airways Group (ANA Group) has announced the expansion of its De Havilland fleet with the acquisition of…
Korean Air has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, with its inaugural flight set to depart from Seoul…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.