Before answering to our title question let's understand What, Why, and When?
What is Pushback?
The process of a ramp operation in an airport that helps to push the aircraft backward with some external force that is by tow truck is known as pushback.
Equipments Required :
1) Tow Truck, 2) Tow Bar and 3) By-Pass Pin.
Crew Involves:
1)Cockpit staff (Pilots), 2)Headset Staff 3)Tow TruckDriver & 4)Wing Walkers.
Pushback Process :
At First Tow Truck engine need to be kept on and it shouldn't turn off till the operation ends.
Towbar is fixed first to the aircraft and to the towtruck.
By-pass pin needs to be inserted at the nose landing gear of the aircraft. It disconnects the steering controls of aircraft so now, the aircraft can be controlled by towtruck.
One wing walker must be at the end of both wings to make sure that the wing doesn't hit anything and damage.
Before starting the operation headset staff should inform the cockpit staff to release the breaks then towtruck starts pushing the aircraft.
This should process in walking speed so that headset staff can walk along with the towtruck and monitor everything.
If any loose connections or problems occur headset staff should stop the operation immediately and make it fixed.
At turnings headset staff should walk inside the turn to avoid injury in case towbar swings. (Towbar always swings outside).
After pushback towbar should be removed first from the towtruck then from the aircraft and again it is connected to towtruck then the truck leaves the place.
Headset staff should remove the by-pass pin and then he should move away from the aircraft. After reaching the safe distance he should show the removed by-pass pin to the captain. so, he will make sure it is removed.
This brings to the end of the operation. Now, Pilots will get ready for their Journey.
Footage of an Emirates A-380's Pushback
Pushback without Towbar :
Yes, Pushback can also be done without towbar for this they need Towbar less towtruck.
This Towtruck doesn't required a towbar. It holds the Front gear of the aircraft and lifts it up and then it can be pushed easily.
Why an aircraft needs Pushback?
Aircraft doesn't have a reverse gear. It uses reverse thrust to move backward. Reverse thrust is nothing but reversing the direction of the thrust that comes out from aircraft engines. In reverse thrust engines suck air from the back and release the thrust from the front side.
But, It doesn't possible to use reverse thrust all the time. That's why pushback is used.
When is pushback required for an aircraft?
Look at the above image. In this situation, Aircraft needs to move in a backward direction in order to reach the runway. But, If aircraft uses reverse thrust the force that emits from the engines can damage the terminal building. So, pushback is must required.
Conclusion:
Pushback is a very common and delicate operation that happens frequently in airports. Staff are trained properly and should always wear safety equipment like gloves, helmet, vest, etc to save themselves from unexpected accidents. Now, I hope you understand the pushback process clearly.
(Need to clear any doubts? The comment section always welcomes you)
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