Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Co.

New Airplane Tugs Reduce Carbon Emissions

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:54:28 +0000

With traditional equipment and traditional procedures, day to day airport operations can really take a toll on the environment. In an attempt to make operations friendlier to their surroundings many airports are actively taking steps to reduce the amount of emissions they produce through a wide variety of strategies.
A simple, effective and affordable strategy that can instantly help make airport operations greener is upgrading to new, battery powered airplane tugs. Battery powered tugs use no fossil fuels during operation or idling which makes them a far friendlier choice for the environment than tradition combustion engine tugs.
Airports can also use their new battery powered airplane tugs to conduct all ground movement of planes. This allows airports to keep jet engines turned off which dramatically reduces the emissions produced during daily operations.
Keeping jet engines turned off whenever possible has additional benefits for airlines as well. By moving airplanes with battery powered airplane tugs airlines can reduce the total amount of costly jet fuel that they use on a daily basis. This dramatic reduction in jet fuel consumption could result in a serious reduction in the cost of airport operations.
Using battery powered airplane tugs for all ground movement also creates a quieter and ultimately safer working environment for ground crew employees. Combustion engine tugs are loud and the incessant noise produced can have a negative effect on both humans and animals living in close proximity to the airport. Battery powered airplane tugs operate virtually silently creating a more pleasant environment for neighbors and eliminating distractions for ground crew employees.
Some upgrades can easily cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to implement. Airports that want to reduce the environmental impact of operations and improve working conditions, without spending beyond their allotted budget, should consider upgrading to battery powered tugs.

U.S. Airlines Providing a Higher Level of Safety

lindy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:24:03 +0000

Since the advent of the Jet Age in the 1950s, airlines in the United States have been providing safer air travel. Between July, 1994 and January, 1997, an airliner crash occurred at least once every 3 months, taking the lives of 805 people altogether. It has been about a decade since passengers have been killed in the crash of a commercial airplane carrying over 100 people. This shows that airline safety has indeed improved tremendously.

One of the reasons for this dramatic improvement in airline safety is government intervention. After 230 people were killed in the explosion of TWA Flight 800 in 1996, President Bill Clinton established a commission to call on the airline industry to lower the airline accident rate by 80% in the next 10 years. This resulted in the formation of the Commercial Aviation Safety Team, or CAST. The responsibility of this team is to analyze airline accident data and propose improvements.

Some of the improvements that airlines made after the establishment of CAST included more extensive discussion on landing between pilot and co-pilot, training of crew members on how to spot ice on the wings of airplanes, installation of “terrain avoidance” systems and bad weather warning devices, and others. Due to these improvements, all airlines in the United States were able to make air travel a lot safer. Presently, the odds of an airplane belonging to a U.S. airline going down and causing fatalities is 1 in 49 million, which is 93% lower than the rate recorded from 1994 to 1998.

Airplane accidents can occur both in the air and on the ground. To minimize accidents on the ground, airlines, airports, and FBOs have to use ground support equipment that can promote safety. One of the devices that they should use is aircraft tug. A powered aircraft tug can lower the chances of an aircraft being damaged and ground workers getting injured, and it can help reduce operational costs as well. Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Company produces high quality airplane tow tugs that can help airports, airlines, and FBOs provide safer and more efficient ground support.

Heathrow Preparing for Great Olympic Exodus

lindy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:43 +0000

While athletes and spectators may be counting down to the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games on the 27th of July this year, the managers of Heathrow Airport are more concerned with the day after the closing of the event. Athletes, officials, and spectators will arrive in London on different days before the games, but most of them will depart on the same day, resulting in a great exodus.

Heathrow is expecting about 137,800 passengers to depart on the 13th of August, which is a 45% increase in the number of departures. This makes the day the busiest ever in the long history of the airport. According to Heathrow’s head of Olympic planning, Nick Cole, all the single seats that are available will be filled on the day, which is something that the airport has never experienced before. It will certainly be a very busy summer for Heathrow, with the 16th and 26th of July being a little busier for arrivals and the 13th and 15th of August being extremely busy for departures. Heathrow also published a document to reveal its forecast on luggage figures. The number of luggage items is expected to increase by 35% to 203,000 on the 13th of August.

Since the airfield at Heathrow will be filled to capacity during the Olympic months, charter aircrafts and private jets will have to use other airports. Both large and small airports in and around London will experience a significant increase in traffic shortly before and after the Olympic Games, and they will need the right equipment to provide efficient ground support. This is the time when airports and FBOs will find aircraft tugs very useful, because they can make the task of moving airplanes on the ground easier and more efficient, as well as reduce costs. Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Company produces airplane tow tugs of the highest quality, and its products will be a great asset to any airport or airbase.

Tips for Purchasing Airport Ground Equipment Online

lindy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:30 +0000

Whether you are running an FBO or airport, you need to have the necessary equipment to provide efficient and safe ground support. Certain types of airport ground support equipment and supplies can be very costly, and they can affect the profitability of your airport or FBO significantly. One way to cut down on your expenses is to try to find a supplier that offers good value for your money. Shopping for aircraft ground equipment on the Internet is the best way to find good deals, because it allows you to compare prices and avail of special discounts. Here are tips on how to purchase airport ground equipment online.

Before you start looking for airport ground equipment suppliers, you have to make a list of all the ground support equipment and supplies you need. These may include runway maintenance supplies and devices, ramps, storage, cargo gear, fueling devices, aircraft deicing equipment, baggage handling devices, aircraft tugs, and others. If you are not sure what kinds of equipment and supplies you need, you can read aviation magazines and articles to find out about the latest aircraft ground handling products.

Use a regular or specialized aviation equipment search engine to locate websites that sell airport ground support products, and shortlist a few that offer high quality equipment at competitive prices. Then, send all the shortlisted companies detailed information on all the equipment and supplies you need, and ask them to give you a quote on all the items. After receiving quotes from the suppliers, you can compare their prices and choose the one that offers the best deal. If you are purchasing a lot of items, you can try to negotiate for better prices.

It is also a good idea to buy certain devices or supplies directly from manufacturers. If you need to purchase equipment to move aircrafts efficiently in your FBO or airport, you can check out Lingbergh Aircraft Tug Company’s great selection of high quality and reasonably priced airplane tow tugs.

Measuring the True Value of an FBO

lindy — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:00:29 +0000

If you are not based in a rural airport and do not have your own hangar and fuel supply, you will most likely have to use a fixed based operation, or FBO, service. There are numerous FBOs across the United States, and you can easily find one that is located close to your home. However, the quality of aviation service provided by FBOs can vary greatly, and you have to make sure that the FBO that you are using offers good value for money. Here are some questions that you need to ask to determine the true value of an FBO.

Service

• Is the staff in your FBO committed to delivering high quality service to you and your passengers on a consistent basis?
• Does your FBO use aircraft tugs and other kinds of equipment to make your ground service experience more pleasant and hassle-free?
• Can it service your tires and O2 quickly when necessary?
• Can you get fresh water and toilet serviced?
• Does your FBO provide automotive ramp access?
• Does the staff treat you in a courteous and professional manner?

Safety

• Have the workers, technicians, and management team undergone the necessary training to deliver high quality service in a safe manner?
• Does the staff have enough experience to meet all aircraft safety requirements?
• Does the FBO request or require a liability insurance waiver?

Facility

• Is the FBO facility modern and clean?
• Does the FBO have all the amenities you need?
• Does it use the most advanced equipment to provide the most efficient and safest aviation service possible, such as powered airplane tow tugs?

Cost

• Are your FBO’s fuel prices and ramp fees competitive?
• Considering the service, safety, and facility provided by the FBO, is the price that you are paying reasonable?

Airfares Likely to Keep Rising in 2012

lindy — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:00:06 +0000

Higher oil prices forced airlines to increase airfares last year, and this is likely to continue into 2012, say air travel experts.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, an increase in oil prices in the first quarter of 2011 pushed airfares up by 8.5%. One airline attempted to raise its airfares 22 times over the course of last year, and nine of its attempts were successful.

Rising airfares may result in a decrease in demand for air travel, and many airlines are taking measures to counter the possible decline in air ticket sales. George Hobica, who founded the popular air travel website AirfareWatchdog.com, said that some airlines are considering cutting the number of seats on their flights, while others are thinking of merging with other airlines to eliminate competition.

But, how much higher will airfares be this year? Carlson Wagonlit Travel is predicting that airfares in North America will rise by 3.5% to 4.1%. Other experts believe that fares can go even higher because of increased regulation and other factors.

While airlines do not have control over certain costs, such as fuel costs, they can find other ways to make their operations more cost-effective. Airlines that use small aircrafts can cut costs significantly by investing in Lindbergh aircraft tugs. With these high-performance tow tugs, they do not have to assign so many employees to move their airplanes, allowing them to reduce labor costs. Airplane tow tugs can be operated by just one or two people, and they make the process of towing aircrafts a lot more efficient. Also, they are specifically designed to provide maximum protection for aircrafts while they are being moved, resulting in lower maintenance and repair costs.

Tips for Winter Flying

lindy — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:05 +0000

Flying in the winter can be fun, but it also exposes you and your aircraft to certain hazards. Strong winds, drifting snow, and icy conditions can make it difficult for you to keep your aircraft under control, both in the air and on the ground. If you want to have a safe and enjoyable flight, make sure you follow these winter flying tips:

• If the hangar is available, keep your aircraft there the night before the flight.
• If you cannot gain access to a hangar, use engine and wing covers to protect your aircraft. Make sure that the propeller, windshield, tail, and top of the cabin are properly covered as well.
• Preheat your aircraft’s engine with an electric heater, firewall-mounted heater, or a Tanis preheating system.
• Keep fuel tanks full to prevent condensation.
• Dress warmly both on the ground and in the plane.
• Understand the winter operating capabilities of your aircraft. If you are using skis, make sure that your aircraft has enough power to run through deep snow and avoid making sharp and abrupt turns.
• Keep the engine warm during letdown.
• Plan an alternate landing site in case the weather in your destination does not allow a safe landing.
• Take time to look out for snow drifts and other hazards before landing.
• After the flight, fill up the fuel tanks, and cover and tie down your aircraft.
• Make sure you have a survival kit to help you overcome emergency situations. The kit should include enough food to last for two weeks, first aid kit, hatchet or ax, knife, firearm and ammunition, matches, and signaling devices.

Moving your aircraft around in the airbase can be difficult during winter. As such, it is advisable that you use a powered aircraft tug. Lindbergh offers a wide range of airplane tow tugs that can make the task of moving aircrafts easier, more efficient, and safer during winter.

Benefits of Using Remote Controlled Aircraft Tugs

lindy — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:00:15 +0000

Aircraft tugs are no doubt the ultimate solution for moving aircrafts in and out of hangars. They make moving airplanes so easy that you do not need to hire too many employees to get the job done for you, enabling you to save on labor costs. High quality aircraft tugs come with the necessary features to minimize the effects of various hazards that are found in an airfield, and they can help you keep your airplanes in a good condition. These wonderful devices can enhance the efficiency and safety of any airfield, and they can be even more effective if they are equipped with a remote control.

While an aircraft tug makes it a lot less physically demanding for you to move an aircraft, it still requires manual effort. You have to pull or push the plane to the desired location. A remote controlled aircraft tug, on the other hand, allows you to move and maneuver your aircraft by just pressing a few buttons. Most importantly, it gives you the freedom to walk around the airplane when it is being towed, enabling you to make sure that it will not come into contact with obstacles that are in its way. By moving your aircraft with a remote control, you do not need to walk back and forth or have another person stand behind the plane to check the stopping distance. This makes the task of parking your airplane in the hangar a lot easier.

Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Co. offers a remote control option with all its airplane tow tugs and tractors. Its remote control comes with slow forward and backward, and emergency stopping functions to minimize the risk of bump and collision damage.

A Guide to Buying Aircraft Tugs

lindy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:00:27 +0000

Aircraft tugs are a necessity in every aviation facility. They can make the job of moving aircrafts a lot easier and help you save a lot of time, effort, and money. If you want your aircrafts to be moved in the most convenient and efficient manner, it is essential that you purchase the right aircraft tug. There are many different types of aircraft tugs for you to choose from, and not all of them are suitable for moving all kinds of airplanes.

The first thing that you need to consider when selecting an aircraft tug is the weight of your airplane. Lindbergh Aircraft Tug Co. has aircraft tugs for airplanes of most sizes. If your aircraft weighs 4,000 lbs or less, it is recommended that you get the AircraftCaddy 4K Jr. or AircraftCaddy 4K. For planes that weigh between 4,000 lbs to 15,000 lbs, the best options are the AircraftCaddy 15K and AircraftCaddy R/W. The AircraftCaddy 35K and AircraftCaddy DNW are suitable for aircrafts that weigh up to 35,000 lbs.

While some aircraft tugs are powered by gasoline, others are battery-operated. Battery-powered aircraft tugs are the preferred option for most aircraft owners, because they are more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. Lindbergh offers some of the finest battery-powered aircraft tugs that are available in the market, and most of its products come with optional remote controller.

The effectiveness of an aircraft tug is dependent on a number of factors, including its ability to accelerate and its braking system. Lindbergh airplane tow tugs are made to facilitate smooth acceleration, and they have the ability to brake effectively even when they air moving aircrafts at comparatively higher speeds. Also, its products are designed in such a way that they can be operated with minimal manpower, enabling you to cut costs. Furthermore, they are built to work very quietly, so that they can create a peaceful environment for you and your workers.

Stockton Airport Breaks Record for Passengers Again

lindy — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The Modesto Bee reported November 26 that Stockton Metropolitan Airport has experienced another big increase in passengers. The month of October saw an increase of about 50 % over last year. The increased ridership is due in part to an adding of flights to Palm Springs that are very popular. It’s easy to see why as the carrier Allegiant offers the flight starting at incredibly low prices. The Airline is trying to start service to Hawaii as well but that may be a long way off.

This news is certainly better than the news from America’s third largest airline American as they and their parent company, AMR Corp., have filed for bankruptcy protection. The airline will have to cut some routes and reduce those labor costs to get more competitive with its main rivals due to high labor costs and increases in the cost of fuel.

Adding very economical flights can have a positive effect on the FBOs that service such carriers as Allegiant. Finding any way to cut costs will continue to be a priority from the largest airlines to the smallest airport. Fixed base operators of the smaller airfields can be assured that investing in Lindbergh aircraft tow tugs will bring big savings on the same fronts that American airlines wants to save – labor and fuel.

Upgrading to battery powered tugs is a great improvement for any airfield or corporate jet owner. The battery powered tugs from Lindy use no expensive fossil fuels during operation and they are much smoother and easier to use than older style tugs. A Lindbergh tug can also make sense economically in another way as well. Many companies are coming to the end of their fiscal year and the price of new equipment can be part of this year’s deductions.