Pushbacks - Power pack on Wheels

Airplanes can take us to the other end of the world, transport hundreds of people and goods and cruise above the clouds in the sunlight. But there is one thing they are incapable of doing: Running backwards. That is what pushbacks are for - powerful vehicles which help Boeings and other jumbos removing from the terminal.
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This unusual means of transport is one of the most important vehicles at the airport. Its precise designation is F396E.
This conventional tractor with fully automatic transmission and four-wheel drive serves all wide-bodied aircraft at Hanover Airport.
“We call this a pushback. It pushes up front and pulls at the back.
Since airplanes don’t have a reverse gear they must be moved back to the main roller line again.”
To do this the flat, sturdy looking special vehicle moves towards the aircraft.
Via a tow bar as thick as a pipe, the machine is coupled to the nosewheel. Now the pushback is connected to the waiting aircraft.
But not all tow bars are alike.
“There are different kinds of tow bar for various aircraft models. Airbus and Boeing are the most commonly used ones. There is a ‘Dash-8’ tow bar, for example. These are basically the ones we use most.”
With the correct tow bar the Lufthansa plane can be ‘pushed’- which is to say, moved back from its parking position.
The 8-meter-long tug can push 448 tons.
The 52-tonner by Schopf is a real power pack on the apron.
The ramp agent coordinates the towage operation: he keeps constant visual contact with the tug driver and permanent radio contact with the pilot.
A highlight of the F396E is its height-adjustable driver’s cab.
But it´s not the 272 horsepower turbocharger alone which cuts a fine figure on the taxiway. The ‘Challenger’ by Trepel gives a hefty push, too - but to somewhat smaller aircraft.
The CHALLENGER 160 with its traction force of 110 kilonewtons is the smallest vehicle able to tow aircrafts like the Boeing 767 or this Bombardier Dash 8.
Airplanes are not only moved backwards from their park position onto the taxiway - enabling them to roll towards the runway on their own. Sometimes you have to tow them from one parking position to another. Pushback driver Stefan uses the ‘Comet 12 A’ diesel tug by Mulag for this.
Utmost concentration is required here because when you have an airplane on the other end of your tow bar, coordination and precision are called for. After all, the trained drivers have a great responsibility.
“For example you see this red mark on the hatch? The tow bar mustn’t go higher than that. That would damage the landing gear.”
“You can see the destination board up there now. Apron control has entered the type of aircraft which has to go here.
So, let’s park it.”
That’s pinpoint precision - no matter which pushback is on duty at Hanover Airport.

[@slowdownmoveoversharethero9701]

i love the reflective pants

[@Nderak]

That's what I want to be in my next life.

[@Tomico.]

...and guy is stepping over the towbar on camera.

[@alannhod7353]

Oh hell that's what my uncle's crazy friend would drive and not tell anyone what it was. He grappled and took down a tree once to demonstrate its power lmfao

[@TheBCSledder]

Wow it's "as thick as a pipe" whatever that's supposed to mean.

[@AAAyyyGGG]

Thicker than the water pipes in my house, but not as thick as the pipe which carries trains between Britain and France!! :-)))

[@etjh0071]

Planes can actually go in reverse on their own but doing so requires them to engage the thrust reverser that would be dangerous to do in close proximity to a terminal

[@kc8bdr]

I agree, however I have witnessed jet aircraft push back from the gate just as you describe many times.

[@phanikamineni]

Thrust reversers cannot move the plane backwards. They can only slowdown the plane after touchdown by pushing the air forward.

[@stupidkid6581]

that is untrue look up the term "powerback" (this is coming from a guy that works on the ramp)

[@lucaspuillet4878]

It can back up the plane, but when it does, it reverse the air getting in the engine, which can cause cones, and even ground members into the engine

[@alansohn855]

Phani Kamineni They can go in reverse

[@ninjanick1780]

MY HOMETOWN!

[@bige.3474]

The process is called a pushback because the aircraft is pushed backwards from the gate. It's not a pushback because you push from the front, and pull from the back. That's just a ridiculous statement.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

Needs a coil over kit and VTEC

[@bryanmartinez6600]

And a wing spoiler from an Airbus A380

[@benbaker6561]

In Canada they use tractors to push back anything smaller than a Boeing 727

[@trevstlog9933]

Ben Baker thanks for the info

[@TonyStark-cv5vd]

You kidding me

[@tor3112]

It's true, lol

[@isshakghosen3135]

thanks for the info

[@phillyboy5773]

I want to work as ground crew before working as a pilot

[@dylanwagemans7718]

Only 272 hp...whaaat

[@Kujivs]

Imagine driving that in the city

[@brainsaladsurgery6984]

Excellent documentary, spreading knowledge is a wise decision.Greetings "Earth Brothers"

[@adham_ak4615]

Nice

[@wadel.2465]

In an airplane you can apply reverse thrust so technically they do have a reverse gear

[@EVAUnit4A]

Why is there a need for the cab of the pushback to raise up?

[@neillenhart6838]

EVA_Unit_4A in case the pilot and pushback driver need to use hand signals

[@davealex5479]

for big ass planes like airbus a380 and boeing 747 because the landing gear is higher and bigger than common planes

[@Nathan-dm9wr]

Probably so the driver can see the Bar better

[@someoneyouprobablydontknow2757]

I'd think so they can adjust to the type of aircraft

[@ikarlhd1]

So you can pull the aircraft and sufficiently see behind you to get on the line.

[@TonyStark-cv5vd]

Can he drift?

[@tonystark1073]

Tony Stark hi

[@wfn3586]

Tony Stark are you crazy??😂

[@IkinAaron]

Push back isn't it a Tug?

[@rolandprepose7008]

Is there any designated personnel who inspect the front landing gear after pushback?

[@eb5477]

Englisch ?

[@citation72]

Lol tiny truck can push a maus ohhhhhhhhhhh soooooooo loooooooooooool

[@ificancookit]

only these people are ok if they see an airplane on their mirror and if they cant they're not ok

[@Trace32]

2:19 Her yerdeyiz amk

[@SupaEMT134]

This makes no sense

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

How long before battery powered tugs replace dirty diesel? Perhaps Elon Musk and Tesla can build one?

[@christopherjohnibona8860]

p😂