at such a speed then lands and manages to drive back to the terminal without the car?
2007-08-01 08:53:49 · 10 answers · asked by chef79geoff 2 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
Several reasons. A plane cannot reverse away from the terminal so it has to be pushed.
If the plane were facing the right way and started its engines the terminal windows would all shatter. A jet engine is "ticking over" at 50,000 rpm and at full power at 55,000.
It is not towed to the runway, only to the edge of the apron. Then the pilot takes over and taxis to the runway.
2007-08-01 09:01:24 · answer #1 · answered by Michael B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The plane does not need to get taxied to the runway. It gets backed away from the terminal by a taxi assist. This is because the plane does not have an effective reverse. When it is taxied further than just away from the terminal, it is because the force from the engines would damage the buildings.
2007-08-01 16:01:19 · answer #2 · answered by RJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Planes are not taxied to the runway by a push tug (little car) The ones that push the big planes are pretty big.
The car is only used to push the plane out of the gate. Its called Push back because most planes are not certified or able to travel in reverse. Some do 737 and MD-80 can reverse out of the gate, but it is a practice that airlines and pilots perfer not to do. The car does not push the plane all the way to the runway only out of the gate.
2007-08-01 15:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by Steven H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the airport. Where there's plenty of room, planes usually taxi to and from the runway. If space is tight, they are towed.
Planes don't have a steering wheel. On the ground you can aim them by adjusting the left and right engine speeds and with the rudder - but it's not very accurate. (As BA found out at Heathrow) Taxiing also uses a lot more fuel than a tow truck.
2007-08-01 16:01:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't, it just needs to be taxied out of the gate because planes do not have reverse. Once in position to go forward the plane goes on its own. When it lands it is also going forward so does not need to be taxied.
2007-08-01 16:01:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A towtruck is used to taxi a plane to a runway to save fuel as the plane would have to use its engines. A plane also cannot reverse so a towtruck is also used to pull it back in place.
2007-08-01 16:06:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The planes( I am told by my Husband who is an ex-pilot) may not know the the layout of the airport apron, and may be lost if it steers itself. And the steering mechanism is not great for turning left and right like your average car, on some aircraft, and air traffic control have the last say, its all about safety really my friend.
2007-08-01 15:59:53 · answer #7 · answered by leggymummy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its pushed by a car as a plane hasnt got a reverse.
2007-08-01 15:56:49 · answer #8 · answered by bibbittybobittyboo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its only to push the plane from the gate. i dont think planes can back up.
2007-08-01 16:01:31 · answer #9 · answered by Jake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It saves fuel by being towed by the little car.
2007-08-01 15:58:39 · answer #10 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋