Certification tests for the A320 family completed successfully at Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is continuing to progress with its TaxiBot, the semi-robotic pilot-controlled vehicle for dispatch towing. Certification tests on an Airbus 320neo were completed successfully at Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France on December 8th, 2016.
The TaxiBot reached its maximum speed of 23 knots, performed multiple turns at different speeds and tight turns at low speed. An engine start of one and both engines of the A320neo during TaxiBotting was performed satisfactorily, as were other tests conducted by Airbus test pilots.
According to Robert Lafontan, Airbus Senior Vice President Engineering, following the successful completion of the final certification tests for the A320 with the TaxiBot, the formal EASA approval is expected at the beginning of 2017.
TaxiBot, a semi-robotic pilot-controlled vehicle, is designed to transport commercial airline aircraft from terminal gates to the runway and back, without using the airplane’s own engines. TaxiBot started dispatch-towing commercial Lufthansa Boeing 737 (Classic) flights departing out of Frankfurt Airport in November 2014.
Since 2008, IAI, together with its industrial risk-sharing partner TLD, has been cooperating with Lufthansa LEOS in the development of the TaxiBot, with support of both OEMs Airbus and Boeing. Lufthansa LEOS has integrated the TaxiBot project into its “E-PORT-AN” initiative, aimed at taking passenger airplane towing and surface-traffic performance beyond the existing limits of environmental sustainability at Frankfurt Airport.
“The successful certification of the A320 is an important milestone for the TaxiBot program. Adding the certification of the A320 family to the already certified B737 family covers 70 percent of all the worldwide commercial airlines flights, which could be provided with TaxiBot service” said Ran Braier, Director of Civil Robotics at IAI. “Certification will enable operation of this innovative system with major airline fleets in leading airports, revolutionizing the commercial aviation services industry, while saving millions of dollars in fuel costs, improving operations and contributing to the global environment.”
The Lufthansa Technik Group, with more than 30 subsidiaries and associates and over 26,000 employees worldwide, is one of the leading manufacturer-independent providers of technical services for the aviation industry. Its portfolio encompasses the entire spectrum of services for commercial aircraft: maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and conversion, engines and components.
TLD Group, a multinational company with 7 manufacturing facilities (USA, Canada, France and China) and 40 Sales and Service offices in all continents, is the largest Word Airport Ground Support Equipment manufacturer. Since the 80’s, TLD Group is at the origin of the development of the first towbarless tractors, and still dominates this market. TLD has joined the TaxiBot program in 2009 as a risk-sharing partner for the design and manufacturing of the TaxiBot tractor.
Airbus, a division of Airbus Group, is the global leading commercial aircraft manufacturer with the most modern, comprehensive and efficient family of airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus has sold around 16,750 aircraft to over 400 customers and, in addition, provides the highest standard of customer support and training through an expanding international network. Airbus employs some 55,000 people and in 2015 generated revenues of 45.9 billion Euros.
