GIBRALTAR, May 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Numerous automobiles come with cameras that assist their drivers when reversing. Why don't commercial aircraft offer pilots the same capability?
WheelTug plc are pleased to announce the introduction of WheelTug Vision (WTV), a new camera sensor system for aircraft. Developed in cooperation with several partners, WTV will serve as a highly useful complement to the company's WheelTug® electric taxi system.
WTV will offer pilots excellent situational awareness during ground manoeuvres, especially in congested ramp areas. WTV will provide a 360° view from cameras and sensors mounted on the aircraft and display it on the Electronic Flight Bag used by pilots. This full-field display will reduce the likelihood of accidents and their attendant injuries, costs, and delays.
This is the first such solution available for commercial aviation, and it will significantly improve the efficiency of aircraft ground operations. More and more airlines now realize that in today's market, improving ground operations can result in a true competitive advantage.
Two industry partners will certify and supply WTV in accordance with WheelTug requirements. Dresden Aerospace AG and FTI Engineering Network GmbH are joining to provide one product, and GKN Fokker Services have agreed to offer a second system. Demonstrator units from both companies will be on display later this year at a presentation co-hosted by WheelTug and Air Transat, the WheelTug launch customer.
WheelTug will offer WTV as an option alongside its WheelTug e-taxi system, which is currently under certification for the Boeing 737NG aircraft family. Entry into service for both WTV and WheelTug e-taxi is expected in 2019. Airlines continue to show strong interest in WheelTug, as more than 20 airlines worldwide – including three just this year - have now reserved nearly 1,100 delivery positions for WheelTug.
Isaiah Cox, WheelTug CEO, comments: “We are excited to work with such renowned industry partners on a technology that we see as a great multiplier of our e-taxi solution. Airlines will benefit greatly from more efficient ground operations and the other benefits unlocked by WheelTug and WTV. We see daily that ramp areas are a bottleneck at many airports, and the significant safety and efficiency improvements WheelTug will provide are long overdue. We look forward to bringing our solutions to the aviation market soon.”
Original document: http://www.wheeltug.gi/pr/pr_20180502.php
About WheelTug plc
Based in Gibraltar, WheelTug plc are developing the WheelTug aircraft electric drive system. The WheelTug system consists of high-performance electric motors installed in the nose gear wheels of an aircraft. These motors provide full mobility and enhanced autonomy to an aircraft on the ground. A full listing of WheelTug partner companies and airline customers is on the company's website at http://www.wheeltug.gi.
Forward-looking statement at http://www.wheeltug.gi/fls.shtml
For more information:
Jan Vana
Director • WheelTug plc
+420 724 276 506 • +1 410 419 0082
exec@wheeltug.gi • www.wheeltug.gi
About Dresden Aerospace & FTI Engineering Network GmbH
Dresden Aerospace AG was established as an LLC in 2015 by aerospace engineers with long-standing professional experience in various aspects of aircraft manufacturing and modification. The LLC was then converted into a Stock Company in 2016. The technical know-how of the Dresden Aerospace team may be found in multiple cooperative projects with industry leaders such as Airbus, United Aircraft Corporation, and their suppliers, with a sharp focus on structural engineering and business process management in the aerospace industry. www.dresden-aerospace.com
FTI is a German company founded in 2001. We specialize in the development and production of aircraft security video systems for passenger and freighter aircraft. The systems are used to monitor inside and outside the aircraft, during flight and on the ground. FTI offers full turnkey solutions from the individual system components to the evaluation software. The certification of aircraft modifications is another part of our portfolio. We are certified as Design Organization DOA: EASA.21J and Production Organization for cabin systems according to POA: DE.21G. Since 2018 FTI is a member of the peiker Group. http://www.ftigroup.net
Dresden Aerospace and FTI are proud to bring in their know how as partners in the pioneering Wheeltug development program.
About GKN Aerospace
GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies– for use in aircraft ranging from helicopters and business jets to the most used single aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, innovative engine systems and smart transparencies help to reduce emissions and weight on the aircraft and enhance passenger comfort.
GKN Fokker Services is an aerospace services provider, supporting a wide range of commercial and defense aircraft. Services range from Type Certificate Holder-related product support to component availability programs to a wide range of aircraft owners and operators.
GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures, engine systems, transparencies and wiring systems and operates in 14 countries at 51 manufacturing locations employing approximately 17,000 people. http://www.gkn.com
About Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada’s number one holiday travel airline in the Canadian and transatlantic markets. Every year, it carries some 4.5 million passengers to approximately 60 destinations in 26 countries. Based in Montreal, the company employs more than 3000 people and operates a fleet of Boeing narrow-body and Airbus wide-body jets. In 2017, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline for the sixth consecutive year by Skytrax. In recent years, the carrier has earned multiple distinctions for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2011, it has consistently been ranked number one in North America for energy efficiency, and in the Top 20 worldwide, by the Atmosfair Airline Index. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company active in air transportation, accommodation, travel packaging and distribution. Transat was awarded Travelife Partner status in 2016 in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development.