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Gate Tow-ins - Why?
I was departing TLV this afternoon, when I saw an Egyptian 735 (SU-GKB, blue tail / cowlings, no other livery markings) pulling into gate C5 (or 6) at TLV T3, but stopped short, and was pulled in by a tug. The gate approach had a kind of kink to it, but didn't seem to much of a problem with a small plane like a 735 - why would the pilot have needed a tow in ? I was just wondering.
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
I can't give you a reason for the specific example you cite, but maybe it required a weird turn, or the aircraft would get too close for comfort to surroundng structure.
For example, at a previous job and airport, we had to do that with the JMC A330 when it came into a specific gate (gate 24 @ YYC). The reason in my case is that the left engine got really close to the bridge (It was one of the older bridges that does not have wheels, it was mounted firmly to the concrete below) and it was best to tow it in instead of risking an engine/bridge collision. IIRC, we had to use L2 because if we used L1, the tail would stick out too far.
For example, at a previous job and airport, we had to do that with the JMC A330 when it came into a specific gate (gate 24 @ YYC). The reason in my case is that the left engine got really close to the bridge (It was one of the older bridges that does not have wheels, it was mounted firmly to the concrete below) and it was best to tow it in instead of risking an engine/bridge collision. IIRC, we had to use L2 because if we used L1, the tail would stick out too far.
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- HikesWithEyes
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
The other problem is jetblast from aircraft pulling into a gate.
At the former international terminal in SFO, on numerous occasions
baggage carts were blown into DL or NW jets when a widebody
advanced the throttles "just a little bit" to get into the 50-52 gates.
This led to a little overkill since the airport then required all aircraft
to be towed in those gates, MD80s and 727s, even though they were
unlikely to cause the problems that the 747s did.
At the former international terminal in SFO, on numerous occasions
baggage carts were blown into DL or NW jets when a widebody
advanced the throttles "just a little bit" to get into the 50-52 gates.
This led to a little overkill since the airport then required all aircraft
to be towed in those gates, MD80s and 727s, even though they were
unlikely to cause the problems that the 747s did.
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
Playing Safe I guess.What about FOD worries.Is it Airline related SOP.
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- Starlionblue
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
| Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 3): Is it Airline related SOP. |
I think it depends. At LAX Tom Bradley they used to require all airlines to tow in (do they still require that?). At JFK AA Terminal 9, it depends on the gate, but most are deep in an alley, so tow-in is typical.
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- EssentialPowr
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
Tight constraints/ramp space, or a location which provides restricted vis when pulling in, or a tight turn that might require too much thrust are all parameters which may necessitate a tow in gate.
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
Yes, in most cases a tow in to park is going to be for safety of people, or equipment; put into place by airline, or airport policy.
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- Tristarsteve
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
LHR T4 has tow in for noise abatement. You stop at the entrance to the cul de sac and shut down engines. Before 0730 you wait until the tug GPU is connected and then shut down the APU as well before being towed on. There is a village close by that was there when T4 was built and this was part of the planning permission.
Also I remember the old TWA terminal at JFK. That was always a tow in on the B767, and wasnt it tight!
Also I remember the old TWA terminal at JFK. That was always a tow in on the B767, and wasnt it tight!
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
| Quoting Starlionblue (Reply 4): I think it depends. At LAX Tom Bradley they used to require all airlines to tow in (do they still require that?). |
From Airnav:
"TOM BRADLEY INTL TERM GATES: ALL ARR B-747 ACFT SHUT DOWN ENGINES ON TWY ADJACENT TO GATE AND TOW ONTO GATE."
So apparently the A340s, 767s, and whatever else can taxi in on their own?
I had also thought that all aircraft were towed into TBIT.
If you look on Google Earth, there are 7 747s at TBIT. Their wingtips are quite close together, at least to my non-expert eye.
~Vik
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- Starlionblue
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
| Quoting Vikkyvik (Reply 8): "TOM BRADLEY INTL TERM GATES: ALL ARR B-747 ACFT SHUT DOWN ENGINES ON TWY ADJACENT TO GATE AND TOW ONTO GATE." |
Ah. Well at least the data fits. I have only flown in to Tom Bradley on 747s.
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - John Ringo
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
everything depends on the way in which a ramp is constructed and what aircraft are being parked. let's not forget, to make a very tight turn aircraft need to spool up pretty high in order to get the wheel moving.
at my home airport, KLGA, aircraft in the CTB are towed into the gates that are near the building simply because they are tight spaces and the aircraft would need to make almost a 90* turn. most a/c just cant make that kind of a turn with thier nosegear. i've seen it happen with 717s, S80s and even 737s. my terminal is no problem, aircraft can taxi in to any gate due to the width of alleyway.
at my home airport, KLGA, aircraft in the CTB are towed into the gates that are near the building simply because they are tight spaces and the aircraft would need to make almost a 90* turn. most a/c just cant make that kind of a turn with thier nosegear. i've seen it happen with 717s, S80s and even 737s. my terminal is no problem, aircraft can taxi in to any gate due to the width of alleyway.
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
They still tow to gates at new SFO Intl terminals, due to tight turns.
This is specially true if you are going to be parked on the gates facing highway and in the mid afternoon all the big planes are parked there for before they return to their european or asian destinations.
This is specially true if you are going to be parked on the gates facing highway and in the mid afternoon all the big planes are parked there for before they return to their european or asian destinations.
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
Sometimes too they do tow-ins in special cases where the aircraft has to make certain manouvers in order to park at the gate.
Heres a video I saw with an Iberia A346 that was had to be towed in because of its length.
http://flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_A...ne_Iberia_Aviation_Video-4837.html
Heres a video I saw with an Iberia A346 that was had to be towed in because of its length.
http://flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_A...ne_Iberia_Aviation_Video-4837.html
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- SkydrolBoy
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
| Quoting Tristarsteve (Reply 7): Before 0730 you wait until the tug GPU is connected and then shut down the APU as well before being towed on |
Forgive my ingnorance, but how can you tow an aircraft with a GPU connected, does the tug have a GPU mounted on it or is another guy towing a GPU beside the a/c the whole time????
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
| Quoting Vikkyvik (Reply 8): From Airnav: "TOM BRADLEY INTL TERM GATES: ALL ARR B-747 ACFT SHUT DOWN ENGINES ON TWY ADJACENT TO GATE AND TOW ONTO GATE." So apparently the A340s, 767s, and whatever else can taxi in on their own? I had also thought that all aircraft were towed into TBIT. If you look on Google Earth, there are 7 747s at TBIT. Their wingtips are quite close together, at least to my non-expert eye. |
It's done at most gates, at least in the south complex, probably at T2 and T1 as well. AA @ T4 lets their 737s and MD80s self park (I think) even when they go to the gates closest to the road, but anything bigger gets a tow (757s included). last time I was at LAX I had the pleasure of watching them back ojut the QFA744, it's quite amazing actually. The thing is pushed back literally tail to the taxiway out of the ally. It then is position on C or B to taxi to the runway. Immedialty clear of the ally, the next 744 is brought in.
Clearly, the reason for tows at LAX (and not just TBIT) is the tight space. A tug can position an aircraft better then the aircraft can its self.
-Matt
-Matt
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
| Quoting SkydrolBoy (Reply 13): Quoting Tristarsteve (Reply 7): Before 0730 you wait until the tug GPU is connected and then shut down the APU as well before being towed on Forgive my ingnorance, but how can you tow an aircraft with a GPU connected, does the tug have a GPU mounted on it or is another guy towing a GPU beside the a/c the whole time???? |
Most large A/C tugs have GPU/APU's on-board so they can power the aircraft in that short period of time when the A/C isn't running off the engines, APU, or GPU. I'm not sure whether small A/C tugs have the option for APU/GPU's.
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- allstarflyer
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
I don't mean to be ignorant, but perhaps the a/c may have been pulled into the gate due to MX. It's rare (especially at a regional carrier), but we've had to have a/c pulled from the hangars and off the taxiways previously.
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- twal1011727
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
Go to ATL.....At gate D38 the construction off the end of the terminal requires wing guidemen....so...they shutdown and get towed into the final stopping point. It all depends on the type of obstruction/obstacle or possible jet blast damage that makes it necessary.
I don't know if they still require this or if the construction is complete.
KD
I don't know if they still require this or if the construction is complete.
KD
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- FlyDeltaJets
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RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
JFK T7 all 747's have to be towed to gate 3 after the Qantas incident and at T3 gate 12 has to be towed in b/c of the jetblast to the Delta Connection area. Gate 20 for the same reason gate 2 b/c of the tight turn (on 757's only) gate 8 in a/c are on pad 11.
The only valid opinions are those based in facts
RE: Gate Tow-ins - Why?
Can't speak for other airlines, but at the airline I work for, we tow in our a/c for courtesy and safety reasons. If another crew is working at a gate(especially if on a regional jet) directly behind our incoming a/c, they will get jetblasted.
Procedure for gate tow in:
1. Marshaller will stop A/C at a pre-determined location
2.Instruct pilot to shut down engine and start APU
3.Hook up towbar to nose-gear and pull A/c to the gate.
4.Once at the gate, GPU will be connected and APU can be turned off.
Again can't speak for all airlines but this is how it's done where I work.
| Quote: Forgive my ingnorance, but how can you tow an aircraft with a GPU connected, does the tug have a GPU mounted on it or is another guy towing a GPU beside the a/c the whole time???? |
Procedure for gate tow in:
1. Marshaller will stop A/C at a pre-determined location
2.Instruct pilot to shut down engine and start APU
3.Hook up towbar to nose-gear and pull A/c to the gate.
4.Once at the gate, GPU will be connected and APU can be turned off.
Again can't speak for all airlines but this is how it's done where I work.