september2022 - 15

Towing Technology's Journey to North America
Officials at Alternate Aeroworks Canada are working to identify locations in Canada that can
enhance ground operations by deploying TaxiBot vehicles.
By Josh Smith
H
aving seen positive results from operations in India and
Europe, officials are working to implement sustainable
aircraft towing technology in North America by introducing
the TaxiBot, a semi-robotic towing vehicle, at locations
across Canada.
With the experience of already launching the equipment in
India and initially supporting TaxiBot operations in Amsterdam,
AeroTech Support Services and its subsidiary Alternate
Aeroworks Canada have identified Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver,
Edmonton and Calgary as airports that could utilize
TaxiBot due to longer taxiing times and their number of
flight operations.
TaxiBot is controlled by the pilot of the aircraft as the tractor
tows the plane from the terminal to the runway. Because this
is done without the use of the aircraft's engines, a significant
amount of jet fuel is preserved. Powered by a hybrid of electric
and diesel engines, TaxiBot provides additional green benefits.
By deploying 26 TaxiBot units across these five Canadian
airports, company officials say 650 TaxiBot operations could
be carried out on a daily basis. According to Ashwani Khanna,
director at Alternate Aeroworks Canada, this would help save
approximately 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) on an
annual basis.
" Presently, we have signed a MOU with Montreal, have conducted
a survey at Vancouver Airport and are in talks with
Edmonton Airport, " explains Khanna. " We are aligning various
resources and closure of MOUs and are planning to launch the
project starting October to November of this year. "
Alternate Aeroworks Canada has an exclusivity to own and
operate the TaxiBot in Canada. TaxiBot was designed by Israel
Aerospace Industries (IAI), is manufactured by TLD and is powered
by technology developed by TLD's sister company Smart
Airport Systems (SAS). AeroTech Support Systems, the parent
company of Alternate Aeroworks Canada, would also assist
Canadian operations by setting up procedures at each airport
and providing training for TaxiBot operations.
Earlier this year, a stakeholders meeting was held in Montreal
to explore the viability of TaxiBot at the airport. The meeting,
which was organized by the airport authority, was attended by
representatives from airlines and service providers. Additionally,
a case study has been conducted at Vancouver.
From these initial trials, Khanna says Alternate Aeroworks
Canada proposed an option to use TaxiBot to decongest
the apron area.
" A plan has been discussed in detail that when we start
Montreal, the airport would like to see the decongestion benefit
arriving from the use of the TaxiBot, " Khanna says. " The logic
was that after pushback and engine start, there is a lapse of
about six minutes. This may impact other aircraft movements,
especially in the cul-de-sac area.
" With the use of the TaxiBot, as there is no engine start, the
holding time is reduced to about two minutes, " he continues.
" This is where the savings come for the airline and airport. "
In addition to reduced CO2 emissions and reduced ground
times, Khanna says additional benefits for airports and airlines
include reduced cost, reduced jet blast damages issues, reduced
FOD and brake wear, and reduced wear and tear of jet engines,
among others.
Airports in North America have a greater potential for efficiency
gains than airports in India, Khanna says, noting more
traffic and other factors like deicing requirements can add to
taxiing times.
" Each airport is different and the procedures have to be
made while keeping operational constraints of that airport, "
Khanna says.
The Canadian aviation system stands to benefit from the
use of TaxiBot, Khanna says, especially ground handlers with a
vision to support sustainable aviation practices.
September 2022 || AviationPros.com || 15
ALTERNATE AEROWORKS CANADA
ALTERNATE AEROWORKS CANADA

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