A universal hitch adapter system includes a universal hitch adapter with at least one force sensor operable to measure push-and-pull forces and coupled to a) one of a front end and a rear end of an aircraft tractor and b) an aircraft tow bar coupled to a nose gear of an aircraft. The system also including a memory; a user input interface operable to receive a user's selection of one of a plurality of aircrafts stored in the memory and a user's input associated with one of a shear pin; a processor operably configured to determine at least one shear pin breaking force threshold for each of the plurality of aircrafts based on the user's input; and an indicator operable to emit an alert as a result of the force sensor measuring a force that meets or exceeds the at least one shear pin breaking force threshold.

An example methods for aircraft mass determination at pushback includes determining an acceleration of a pushback vehicle while moving an aircraft, determining a pushback force applied by the pushback vehicle while moving the aircraft, and determining a total mass of the aircraft based on the pushback force, the acceleration of the pushback vehicle during pushback, and a coefficient of static friction between tires of the aircraft and a surface on which the aircraft moves. An example system includes a pushback vehicle coupled to an acceleration sensor and a force sensor, and a computing device having one or more processors to determine a total mass of the aircraft based on the pushback force, the acceleration of the pushback vehicle during pushback, and a coefficient of static friction between tires of the aircraft and a surface on which the aircraft moves.

A taxi tug includes a chassis, a motive power source, and an auxiliary power services system. The chassis has at least one drive wheel. The motive power source is operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The auxiliary power services system is disposed on the chassis and is configured to provide at least one of electric power, pneumatic power, and low pressure conditioned air to an aircraft.

The present disclosure relates to a method for ground travel collision avoidance of an aircraft, comprising: sensing, by a sensing module mounted on a towing vehicle for the aircraft, an object in a surrounding environment of the aircraft; determining whether the object is secure based on a contour feature of the aircraft and a relative position relation between the object and the aircraft; and implementing a collision avoidance measure in response to determining that the object is insecure. The present disclosure also relates to a system and a device for ground travel collision avoidance of an aircraft.

A dolly for placement beneath a landing gear of an aircraft that enables transport of the aircraft without rolling the tire of the aircraft. The dolly includes a platform for a tire to rest on and a channel for positioning the tire. The dolly includes a winch for translating the dolly and aircraft tire relative to each other such that the landing gear is brought to rest on the platform, and one or more stops for securing the aircraft landing gear with respect to the dolly. Once positioned, the dolly can be used while transporting the aircraft, either by hand pushing, a hand towbar, a motorized tug with a towbar, or other mode. The dolly is useful for moving aircraft in tight spaces and is also useful for transporting aircraft with damaged landing gear or flat tires.

A dolly for placement beneath a landing gear of an aircraft that enables transport of the aircraft without rolling the tire of the aircraft. The dolly includes a platform for a tire to rest on and a channel for positioning the tire. The dolly includes a winch for translating the dolly and aircraft tire relative to each other such that the landing gear is brought to rest on the platform, and one or more stops for securing the aircraft landing gear with respect to the dolly. Once positioned, the dolly can be used while transporting the aircraft, either by hand pushing, a hand towbar, a motorized tug with a towbar, or other mode. The dolly is useful for moving aircraft in tight spaces and is also useful for transporting aircraft with damaged landing gear or flat tires.

A ground support tractor for providing ground support services at an airport has a cab forward configuration and a cab aft configuration. The ground support tractor includes a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location. A seat assembly, a battery system and a plurality of body panels are coupled to the common chassis. In the cab forward configuration of the ground support tractor, the seat assembly is coupled to the forward mounting location, the battery system is coupled to the aft mounting location and the body panels are positioned in a cab forward orientation. In the cab aft configuration of the ground support tractor, the seat assembly is coupled to the aft mounting location, the battery system is coupled to the forward mounting location and the body panels are positioned in a cab aft orientation.

An example methods for aircraft mass determination at pushback includes determining an acceleration of a pushback vehicle while moving an aircraft, determining a pushback force applied by the pushback vehicle while moving the aircraft, and determining a total mass of the aircraft based on the pushback force, the acceleration of the pushback vehicle during pushback, and a coefficient of static friction between tires of the aircraft and a surface on which the aircraft moves. An example system includes a pushback vehicle coupled to an acceleration sensor and a force sensor, and a computing device having one or more processors to determine a total mass of the aircraft based on the pushback force, the acceleration of the pushback vehicle during pushback, and a coefficient of static friction between tires of the aircraft and a surface on which the aircraft moves.

An aircraft ground support unit (1) for supplying a service to an aircraft (3) on the ground according to a specific servicing program is provided that includes reception means (5) suitable for identifying an aircraft (3) in motion or parked on the ground by receiving information emitted by a transponder (7) of said aircraft including an instantaneous GPS coordinates of the position of the aircraft, the identity of the aircraft, the type of aircraft, and the company of the aircraft, aircraft status data. A microprocessor is provided that is suitable for selecting and implementing a predefined servicing program stored in a database corresponding to the type and company of the thus identified aircraft (3) on the basis of the information received by the reception means. A data record device is also provided that is to store the events, aircraft status data, ground unit data for airlines operation optimization.

An electric pushback vehicle includes a frame having a forward portion and a rear portion. The vehicle further includes front drive axle and a rear drive axle configured to communicate power to ground engaging members. A traction battery is housed within the electric pushback vehicle and provides electric power to an electric motor to drive an output shaft. A transmission is connected to receive mechanical power from the electric motor through a torque converter.