Aircraft handlers include a plurality of undercarriage support assemblies. Each undercarriage support assembly includes a body, a translation assembly operably attached to the body, and a support member operably coupled to and extending from the body. The support member comprises a support region configured to engage and operably support at least a portion of an undercarriage of an aircraft. The translation assembly is configured to support the undercarriage support assembly on a ground surface and permit the undercarriage support assembly to translate along the ground surface. The aircraft handlers further include one or more drive assemblies configured to move the aircraft handler along the ground surface, in which each drive assembly comprises the translation assembly of an undercarriage support assembly. Methods comprise supporting the undercarriage of the aircraft with the aircraft handler and moving the aircraft along the ground surface with the aircraft handler.

Aircraft handlers include a plurality of undercarriage support assemblies. Each undercarriage support assembly includes a body, a translation assembly operably attached to the body, and a support member operably coupled to and extending from the body. The support member comprises a support region configured to engage and operably support at least a portion of an undercarriage of an aircraft. The translation assembly is configured to support the undercarriage support assembly on a ground surface and permit the undercarriage support assembly to translate along the ground surface. The aircraft handlers further include one or more drive assemblies configured to move the aircraft handler along the ground surface, in which each drive assembly comprises the translation assembly of an undercarriage support assembly. Methods comprise supporting the undercarriage of the aircraft with the aircraft handler and moving the aircraft along the ground surface with the aircraft handler.

The invention is directed to an aircraft carrier ground vehicle, which comprises a chassis, a landing platform, a coupling mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The landing platform is designed to accommodate an aircraft. The coupling mechanism connects the landing platform to the chassis to form a kinematic pair, in which the landing platform is rotatably mounted on the chassis. The actuation mechanism is adapted to rotate the landing platform relative to the chassis, to allow an aircraft to land on the landing platform as the vehicle moves along a landing direction of the aircraft and compensate for an inclination angle of the aircraft on landing, in operation. The aircraft carrier ground vehicles further allow taxiing and take-off of the aircraft. The invention is further directed to related aircraft carrier ground vehicle systems, which include several vehicles that are swarmed for landing an aircraft, and aircraft landing and take-off methods.

The invention is directed to an aircraft carrier ground vehicle, which comprises a chassis, a landing platform, a coupling mechanism, and an actuation mechanism. The landing platform is designed to accommodate an aircraft. The coupling mechanism connects the landing platform to the chassis to form a kinematic pair, in which the landing platform is rotatably mounted on the chassis. The actuation mechanism is adapted to rotate the landing platform relative to the chassis, to allow an aircraft to land on the landing platform as the vehicle moves along a landing direction of the aircraft and compensate for an inclination angle of the aircraft on landing, in operation. The aircraft carrier ground vehicles further allow taxiing and take-off of the aircraft. The invention is further directed to related aircraft carrier ground vehicle systems, which include several vehicles that are swarmed for landing an aircraft, and aircraft landing and take-off methods.

There are provided methods and systems for a towbar-less aircraft tow. The towbar-less aircraft tow includes a chassis configured to receive thereon at least a portion of an aircraft main landing gear assembly. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the chassis, configured to raise the aircraft main landing gear assembly by a variable amount. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes a propulsion system coupled to the chassis, configured to move the towbar-less aircraft tow in a direction along a trajectory. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes an electrical storage system coupled to the chassis. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes a power connector mounted to said electrical storage system, configured to connect with an aircraft de-icing system for communicating electrical power from the towbar-less aircraft tow to the aircraft de-icing system during aircraft de-icing.

There are provided methods and systems for a towbar-less aircraft tow. The towbar-less aircraft tow includes a chassis configured to receive thereon at least a portion of an aircraft main landing gear assembly. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the chassis, configured to raise the aircraft main landing gear assembly by a variable amount. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes a propulsion system coupled to the chassis, configured to move the towbar-less aircraft tow in a direction along a trajectory. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes an electrical storage system coupled to the chassis. The towbar-less aircraft tow further includes a power connector mounted to said electrical storage system, configured to connect with an aircraft de-icing system for communicating electrical power from the towbar-less aircraft tow to the aircraft de-icing system during aircraft de-icing.

The exemplary arrangements provide a system of selectively moving airplanes on an airport apron. Airplanes are selectively moved from selected parking locations to areas adjacent to take-off locations such as runways. Airplanes may also be selectively moved from an area of the apron adjacent to a landing location to a parking location. This may include for example an unloading location, an airport terminal, a servicing location, a fueling location, storage location and/or other suitable location. The exemplary systems include driving channels through which a carriage is selectively moved. The carriage is in operative connection with a basket for operatively engaging at least one front wheel of selected airplanes for purposes of transporting such airplanes to and between the desired locations.

The exemplary arrangements provide a system of selectively moving airplanes on an airport apron. Airplanes are selectively moved from selected parking locations to areas adjacent to take-off locations such as runways. Airplanes may also be selectively moved from an area of the apron adjacent to a landing location to a parking location. This may include for example an unloading location, an airport terminal, a servicing location, a fueling location, storage location and/or other suitable location. The exemplary systems include driving channels through which a carriage is selectively moved. The carriage is in operative connection with a basket for operatively engaging at least one front wheel of selected airplanes for purposes of transporting such airplanes to and between the desired locations.

This disclosure relates generally to aircraft tugs, which assist in the movement of small aircraft. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a remote power switch, which may also be referred to as an emergency tug shutoff (ETSO) switch, for remotely stopping movement of an aircraft tug. Systems that include such an aircraft tug and at least one remote power switch are also disclosed, as are methods for remotely stopping an aircraft tug.

An unmanned aircraft traction control system without a traction rod and an intelligent tractor relate to the technical fields of aircraft ground motion and man-machine coordination. The traction control system includes an aircraft light identification and induction module, a main sensing system module, an aircraft sound identification and induction module and a control module which are arranged on the tractor. When the tractor and an aircraft carry out a wheel holding operation, the aircraft light identification and induction module, the main sensing system module and the aircraft sound identification and induction module acquire a brightness signal of an aircraft nose landing gear taxi light, an aircraft turning signal, an aircraft resistance signal and an aircraft horn signal autonomously transmitted by a pilot. The purpose that a pilot autonomously controls the tractor to pull an aircraft to an aircraft parking position or a designated taxiway position is realized through the above signals.