EGTS is an electric taxiing system which allows aircraft to taxi and pushback without requiring the use of aircraft engines, and is designed to reduce fuel volumes used by aircraft and reduce greenhouse gas emissions during ground operations. It was developed by EGTS International, a joint venture between Honeywell Aerospace and Safran. The joint venture was announced at the 2011 Paris Air Show.
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EGTS technology was invented in 2003 by Delos Aerospace and since 2007 many electric taxiing systems have been explored based on the pioneering patents of Delos Aerospace. www.Delos.Aero
EGTS technology enables aircraft to avoid using their main engines during taxiing and instead taxi autonomously under their own electrical power, using the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) generator. The system is designed for single-aisle aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737.
Early development of EGTS
Honeywell and Safran were working on green taxiing solutions independently for a number of years prior to their joint venture announcement at the Paris Air Show in 2011. Following the initial phase of ground testing and first move in April 2013, the system was formally demonstrated at the Paris Air Show 2013.
How the system works
With electric motors located on each of the main landing gear driving inboard wheels and powered by the APU generator, the EGTS system allows aircraft to push back from the gate without a tug tractor, and taxi without the use of the main engines.
The Pilot Interface Unit enables the pilot to switch on the EGTS and select the desired taxi speed (forward) or push back speed (backwards). The EGTS Controller receives and converts actions into orders to power the electronics.
The wheel actuator applies the required torque and speed proportional to the wheel as per the instructions received from the Wheel Actuator Controller Unit (WACU). The WACU converts current into instructions to the electrical motor proportional to the pilot’s command as delivered by the EGTS Controller.
Market Interest for the EGTS
In 2012, easyJet, in collaboration with Honeywell and Safran, announced that it would be the first airline to support the development and trial of the electric green taxiing system (EGTS).
In June 2013, Air France announced its support of the development of the EGTS taxiing system.
In December 2013, Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EGTS International to further develop and evaluate EGTS for the A320 Family.
In March 2014, Honeywell and Safran signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GoAir to support the advancement of the EGTS taxiing system.
In April 2014, Mexican airline Interjet became the first North American airline to announce its support for the advancement of the EGTS taxiing system,