Pushbacks: Why Airplanes Must Be Towed on the Runway

It’s not uncommon for ground support equipment to tow airplanes on the runway prior to takeoff. After all of the passengers have boarded, ground support equipment will manually tow the airplane away from the gate. The pilot will then start up the engines and prepare for takeoff. Considering that airplanes can use reverse thrust to move on the runway, you might be wondering why towing is necessary.

What Is Pushback?

Pushback is the process of moving an airplane backward from its original, parked position using ground support equipment. Ground support equipment includes vehicles such as tugs or tractors. Before taking off, they’ll move airplanes away from the gate. A process known as pushback, it involves the use of ground support equipment to move airplanes in reverse.

Prevents Damage to Airports

By using pushback to move airplanes, damage to airports is less likely to occur. Reverse thrust, of course, is another way in which airplanes can move in reverse. Also known as thrust reversal, it involves the diversion of an airplane’s thrust. The thrust produced by an airplane’s engine will travel in the opposite direction, thus allowing airplanes to move backward.

The problem with using reverse thrust on the runway — particularly when moving away from the gate — is that it may cause damage to the airport. Reverse thrust isn’t as powerful as standard, forward thrust. Nonetheless, it can still damage nearby structures. To prevent airplanes from damaging the airports at which they are parked, pushback is typically used instead of reverse thrust.

Safety

In addition to preventing damage to airports, pushback protects passengers and other airport personnel from injury. Reverse thrust requires engine power. The airplane’s engines must be turned on so that they can generate thrust in the opposite direction. If passengers or personnel are nearby when this occurs, they may sustain injury.

Pusback is a safer way to move airplanes on the runway. Pilots don’t have to start the engines. Instead, they can sit back while allowing the ground support equipment to tow them. This creates a safer environment for passengers and airport personnel alike.

In Conclusion

Even if an airplane features reverse thrust, pilots typically won’t use it to move away from the gate. Reverse thrust can cause damage to airport structures or injury to passengers and personnel. Therefore, most airports use ground support equipment to move airplanes away from the gate. It’s a common process for commercial jets that’s known as pushback.

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