Pushback Using MLG -- B737 — Tech Ops Forum

Sponsor Message:


My Starred Topics \| Profile \| New Topic \| Forum Index \| Help \| Search

Pushback Using MLG -- B737

Brenintw From Taiwan, joined Jul 2006, 1453 posts, RR: 1
Posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2857 times:

When I was in New Zealand earlier this year, I saw a B737NG being pushed back -- using the MLG. I've always thought that the NLG was used for pushback, I've never seen this before.

Questions: Why use the MLG instead of the NLG? Is this common?

I snapped a pic which is at: http://public.fotki.com/irltrucks/tr...06/queenstown_oamaru/img_5904.html

I'm tired of the A vs. B sniping. Neither make planes that shed wings randomly!

13 replies: All unread, jump to last

Tbanger From Australia, joined Jul 2004, 266 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 2845 times:

Been using them in SYD Domestic terminals and I also believe MEL for a couple of years now. Rather than have a tow driver and a starter, you just have the starter do both as the tug is remote controlled.

I believe the pilot steers!

TristarSteve From Sweden, joined Nov 2005, 3694 posts, RR: 34
Reply 2, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2819 times:

Quoting Brenintw (Thread starter):
Questions: Why use the MLG instead of the NLG? Is this common?

The main reason is that all you have to do is turn the wheel. There is no need to lift the aircraft or steer so the machine is much simpler.
I had it demonstrated in ARN about 10 years ago, but we ended up with TBL instead.

HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58
Reply 3, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2818 times:

Optional.
However out here We never use it.It requires Good communication between Flt deck & Grd to know when & how much to steer the NLG.
regds
MEL

Think of the brighter side!

Curmudgeon From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 695 posts, RR: 22
Reply 4, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 2740 times:

That unit is called a "Power Push", and is in fact remote controlled. The engineer conducting the pushback does require good communication with the pilot, and simple commands like "steer left" etc are used.

The unit attaches to the main gear, drives on command, and detaches itself and drives away, all by remote.

There is a seat and conventional controls that is used for driving the unit between gates.

These were sold as a cheaper alternative to tugs and tow bars and a driver + engineer. Industrial and other factors have limited their widespread use. I don't know how they perform in snow.

Cheers

Jets are for kids

Airfoilsguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 5, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 2703 times:

The unit is located behind the main landing gear so wouldn't it be pulling rather then pushing? Also, the engine seems to be running, that would be a very windy place to be sitting if the thing had a driver..

Oh, by the way, nice birds Wink

Brenintw From Taiwan, joined Jul 2006, 1453 posts, RR: 1
Reply 6, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2677 times:

Quoting TristarSteve (Reply 2):
but we ended up with TBL instead

What is TBL?

I'm tired of the A vs. B sniping. Neither make planes that shed wings randomly!

Tbanger From Australia, joined Jul 2004, 266 posts, RR: 0
Reply 7, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 2619 times:

Quoting Brenintw (Reply 6):
What is TBL

Tow Bar Less.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © David James Clelford

Above is a towbarless tug. has a driver, but no towbar.

[Edited 2006-12-05 10:08:33]

HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58
Reply 8, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 2616 times:

Quoting Curmudgeon (Reply 4):
The unit attaches to the main gear, drives on command, and detaches itself and drives away, all by remote

Whats the Attach mechanism like.Also what would the Capacity of this unit be approx.

Quoting Airfoilsguy (Reply 5):
Also, the engine seems to be running, that would be a very windy place to be sitting if the thing had a driver..

Engine would not be running on that side.
regds
MEL

Think of the brighter side!

TristarSteve From Sweden, joined Nov 2005, 3694 posts, RR: 34
Reply 9, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 2608 times:

Quoting Curmudgeon (Reply 4):
I don't know how they perform in snow.

That is its best feature. The Mainwheels stay on the ground, and the Powerpush just rotates them. The problem with a TBL is that it lifts the nosegear and then drives out. On many aircraft the weight on the nosewheel is very small, and we used to have trouble getting traction. We have now got rough gravel glued to the pushback area to get a grip.
A normal towbar tractor is much better as it weighs so much, but a TBL is very light weight and needs the aircraft weight to get a grip.

Pihero From France, joined Jan 2005, 3496 posts, RR: 72
Reply 10, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2601 times:

Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

The powerpush is generalised on AF stations in France for the single-aisle fleet.The economical savings are quite enormous as they use very little power for the job and only one operator.
This is how we use it :
1/Connect the PPU -as it is called - to the left gear.The motor turn a set of rollers, which, being in contact with the tyres, force them to turn, therefore moving the aircraft.
2/Start engine #2 in order to get some hydraulic power.
3/Commence push. The pilot indicates the direction to which the nose will point and the ckeared taxiway line colour (here in CDG, we have a yellow centerline and a blue and an orange).
the operator then directs the pilot with clear steering indications : "Steer left...more left...less left...tiller to neutral..."
4/Disconnect the PPU
5/Start #1 engine.... and away you go!
Plese note that the nose gear safety pin remains in place all the time.

Contrail designer

JetMech From Australia, joined Mar 2006, 2588 posts, RR: 53
Reply 11, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2595 times:

Quoting Pihero (Reply 10):
Plese note that the nose gear safety pin remains in place all the time.

G'day Pihero Smile

,

Are you referring to the nose gear steering lock out pin or the nose gear retraction lockout pin?

Regards, JetMech

JetMech split the back of his pants. He can feel the wind in his hair.

Pihero From France, joined Jan 2005, 3496 posts, RR: 72
Reply 12, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 2591 times:

Quoting JetMech (Reply 11):
Are you referring to the nose gear steering lock out pin

hello, JetMech,
Yes. I've seen so many ways of calling that damn pin : by-pass pin. safety pin, lock-out pin, the thing there Smile

etc...

Contrail designer

HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58
Reply 13, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2588 times:

Quoting JetMech (Reply 11):
Are you referring to the nose gear steering lock out pin or the nose gear retraction lockout pin

Quoting Pihero (Reply 12):
Yes. I've seen so many ways of calling that damn pin : by-pass pin. safety pin, lock-out pin, the thing there etc

Out here its called the Nose gear Steering Valve bypass pin. Smile

regds
MEL

Think of the brighter side!

Top Of Page

Forum Index

Reply To This Topic Pushback Using MLG -- B737

Username:	No username? Sign up now!
Password:	Forgot Password? Be reminded. Remember me on this computer (uses cookies)

Tech/Ops related posts only!
Not Tech/Ops related? Use the other forums
No adverts of any kind. This includes web pages.
No hostile language or criticizing of others.
Do not post copyright protected material.
Use relevant and describing topics.
Check if your post already been discussed.
Check your spelling!
DETAILED RULES

Check Spelling

Please check your spelling (press "Check Spelling" above)

Similar topics: