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#1
12th January 2012, 04:35 PM
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Push Back for A320
Today, while looking for photo opportunities around near the domestic terminal I noticed something very peculiar which I have never seen before. All jetstar A320's were pushed back with the tractor attached to the port main landing gear. My questions to the more senior and experienced members of this group are:
1. How does the aircraft get steered? Is'nt the nosewheel the controlling factor? 2. How common is this practice? 3. Is it limited to A320's and other smaller single aisle aircraft or is this practice prevailent among the larger behemoths too. I am attaching a couple of pictures for your reference. cheers Last edited by Donesh I.; 27th May 2013 at 04:40 PM. 
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#2
12th January 2012, 06:05 PM
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Hi there Donesh,
The machine is called a SCHOPF Power Push Unit(PPU) and used frequently at the main ports by Jetstar and Virgin domestically. Pilots are in control of the nose wheel and instructed when to turn via the headset. Video Last edited by Tim Bowrey; 12th January 2012 at 06:25 PM.
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#4
12th January 2012, 08:40 PM
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No broken tow-bars.
Seem a little quicker to push and disconnect than the tugs. Only one person needed to operate the power push as opposed to a Tug driver & Ground crew on the tug. Regards.
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#6
14th January 2012, 04:40 PM
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Quote:
Thanks Tim, I didn't know this. I thought Pilots would have been to busy starting the engines during push back. Regards David
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#7
15th January 2012, 08:21 AM
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Hi David. We start number 2 Engine first on the bay, and after about 15 seconds of spool up, we start the 'power pushing', as the hydraulic pumps are now working in order for us to steer, under the guidance of the fellow on the headset, controlling the power push unit.
It's not that busy during start up, as it's mostly automatic, and the Pilot Not Flying monitors the start, and the Pilot Flying the sector, controls the steering. Last edited by Chris Z; 15th January 2012 at 08:24 AM. Reason: Further info.
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#8
16th January 2012, 02:11 PM
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Do they use these units on the E jets at all? The E 190 I was on last week got pushed out by a regular tug from gate 39 T2. I was surprised as I was expecting to see a PPU shuttling back into the bay when instead it was a tractor style tug...
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#9
16th January 2012, 03:16 PM
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Hi there Ben, not used on any E-Jets.
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#10
17th January 2012, 12:49 PM
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Well, there you go. Thanks Tim.
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