Cooperation to Revolutionize Airport Ground Ops

BRUSSELS, Belgium and NORTH PLAINS, Ore., Aug. 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two aviation innovators are combining technologies to revolutionize both sides of airport ground operations: at the gate, and on the aircraft.  Working together under a recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding, the companies’ respective systems will greatly enhance safety and throughput at airport gates. 

The Safedock advanced visual docking guidance system (A-VDGS) from ADB SAFEGATE automates the task of safe docking at gates and stands, guiding aircraft with a highly accurate 3D laser scanning technique and an intuitive LED display.  The WheelTug e-taxi system uses electric motors in the aircraft nose wheel.  In conjunction with the WheelTug Vision camera/sensor system, pilots can maneuver forward and in reverse without needing tow tugs or generating jet blast.

WheelTug and ADB SAFEGATE complement each other very well by making it easier for airlines to operate precisely and expediently in increasingly crowded ramp areas, removing time-consuming procedures and failure points while improving the safety levels all parties expect.

“The collaboration with WheelTug is an important milestone in implementing our apron management strategy,” said Thorben Burghardt, Vice President, Gate, ADB SAFEGATE.  “ADB SAFEGATE is applying intelligent integration and automation to bridge the siloes of different airport systems.  Digitalizing and automating the apron requires all stakeholders to collaborate closely to deliver lower costs, higher efficiency and safety, as well as happier passengers.  WheelTug is a key partner in our apron management ecosystem.”

Sixty years ago, standard single-aisle aircraft could park parallel to terminal gates, with passengers using two jet bridges to board or deplane via both the front and aft doors.  The practice has long been abandoned as jet thrust became too powerful, and nose-in parking became the norm to avoid jet blast incidents in the gate area.  Together, WheelTug and ADB SAFEGATE offer the accuracy and safety needed to return this time-saving procedure to airlines and airports.  Safedock A-VDGS technology will be a critical component of the WheelTug Guide docking system.

The two companies will jointly present their solutions later this month at the WheelTug TestDrive 2020 event held at Memphis International Airport (Tennessee, USA) on 15 September.  “We look forward to showing aviation community members worldwide how they can operate more quickly, efficiently, and safely.  We are pleased to announce this partnership and have ADB SAFEGATE team members join us in Memphis to demonstrate how WheelTug-equipped aircraft will interact seamlessly with gate-side technology,” said WheelTug CEO Isaiah Cox.

About ADB SAFEGATE

ADB SAFEGATE provides integrated solutions that raise efficiency, improve safety, boost environmental sustainability and reduce operational costs for airports, airlines and ANSPs.  The company works with airports and airlines to solve operational bottlenecks from approach to departure.  Solutions encompass airfield lighting, tower-based traffic control systems, intelligent docking automation and services, as well as applying advanced IT and analytics to deliver industry-leading Total Airport Management.  For more information about ADB SAFEGATE, please visit our website at adbsafegate.com.

About WheelTug plc

WheelTug plc is developing the WheelTug aircraft electric drive (e-taxi) system.  More than 25 airlines representing 2,000+ aircraft have now signed Letters of Intent with WheelTug.  Limited registration for TestDrive is available at testdrive.wheeltug.com. Forward-looking statement at http://www.wheeltug.com/fls

For more information:

ADB SAFEGATE

Tammi Phippen
Media Relations
+1 763-535-9299, ext. 4001
tammi.phippen@adbsafegate.com

WHEELTUG

Jan Vana
Director
+420 724 276 506 ♦ +1 410 419 0082
jvana@wheeltug.com