An assistance vehicle designed for supplying electrical energy to an electric taxiing device of an aircraft landing gear when the aircraft is moving over the ground. The assistance vehicle includes an autonomous energy source, a connector enabling it to be coupled to the aircraft and to electrically power the electric taxiing device. When an assistance instruction comprising the aircraft position is received, the assistance vehicle moves in an autonomous manner so as to reach the position of the aircraft, is automatically connected to the electric taxiing device when the assistance vehicle reaches the position of the aircraft and switches into freewheeling mode. When the assisted move has finished, the assistance vehicle is separated from the electric taxiing device and switches back into tractor mode. Thus, the electrical power supply system of the aircraft is simplified by externalizing the electrical supply of the electric taxiing device.

An example apparatus is configured to couple to a trailer and a tow vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame; one or more clamps mounted to the frame and configured to couple the frame to an underplate of the trailer; and a shaft having a first end rotatably coupled to the frame and a second end configured to couple to at least one replicated element of a towed vehicle. The at least one replicated element is configured to engage the tow vehicle.

In an embodiment, a system includes a frame configured to support a load, a first set of wheels provided on the frame, a second set of wheels provided on the frame, and a controller. The first set of wheels is configured to descend or ascend in response to the controller, and is oriented to move in a first direction. The second set of wheels is configured to descent or ascend in response to the controller, and is oriented to move in a different direction from the first direction. The controller configured to control the descent and ascent of the second set of wheels and the first set of wheels.

An example apparatus is configured to couple to a trailer and a tow vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame; one or more clamps mounted to the frame and configured to couple the frame to an underplate of the trailer; and a shaft having a first end rotatably coupled to the frame and a second end configured to couple to at least one replicated element of a towed vehicle. The at least one replicated element is configured to engage the tow vehicle.

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.

In some embodiments, a system and/or method a may include a helicopter transport system. The helicopter transport system may include a support frame. The support frame may be substantially rectangular. The helicopter transport system may include a first pair of wheels. In some embodiments, the first pair of wheels may be positioned on opposing sides of the outer perimeter of the support frame towards a first end of the support frame. The helicopter transport system may include a second pair of wheels. The second pair of wheels may be positioned adjacent one another within the perimeter of the support frame towards a second end of the support frame. The first end of the support frame may be positioned opposite the second end of the support frame. The helicopter transport system may include a lift mechanism coupled to the support frame. The lift mechanism may elevate, during use, a helicopter above the support frame.

Anti-collision airport system including a motorized mobile device to be moved close to an aircraft. The system includes a database to record structural characteristics of categories of aircraft and structural characteristics of the motorized mobile device. The controller is configured to identify a category corresponding to the aircraft and a positioning of the motorized mobile device with respect to the aircraft, search and retrieve, from the database, structural characteristics associated with the category corresponding to the aircraft and structural characteristics of the motorized device, calculate a trajectory for the movement of the motorized mobile device on the basis of the structural characteristics of the aircraft and of the motorized mobile device and of the positioning of the motorized mobile device with respect to the aircraft, and control the motorized mobile device according to the calculated trajectory.

A vehicle engagement structure for towing transport devices is disclosed, wherein a carrier is configured with respectively an engagement towage mechanism and a drive mechanism; more specifically, the engagement towage mechanism includes an external spiral transmission component and an internal spiral transmission component, the internal spiral transmission component is further mutually in spiral engagement with a spiral rod, and the top end of the spiral rod is sequentially installed with an up-and-down pedestal, a rotation seat, an engagement base and an engagement end applied to connect to a transport device; in addition, the drive mechanism is configured to control the up-and-down pedestal to vertically ascend or descend on the spiral rod, thereby facilitating the engagement end to adapt to the height of the transport device or topographic fluctuations and variations during movement.

A system for lifting and transporting an aircraft comprising a trailer, a lower and an upper inflatable airbag system and a plurality of ties. The trailer can comprise a rigid frame having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of hook ups for attaching ties to the aircraft, at least one pair of wheels. The lower inflatable airbag system is configured for placement below the lower surface of the trailer and the upper inflatable airbag system is configured for placement above the upper surface of the trailer. A method of using the system comprises placing the system underneath the aircraft, inflating the airbag systems, attaching the wheels to the frame of the trailer, securing the aircraft to the trailer, deflating the lower inflatable airbag system, and transporting the aircraft.

An aircraft is presented. The aircraft comprises a tow point positioned on a body of the aircraft and forward of main landing gear of the aircraft, wherein the tow point is connected to an airframe of the aircraft to accept and distribute forces forward, aft, and normal to the aircraft.