When you’re working in the aviation industry, you’ll understand how important it is to move your planes efficiently, positioning them wherever they need to go without needing to turn them on, whether it’s in a hangar or somewhere else on the tarmac. The key to this process is the tow bar, but it’s something that’s difficult to use safely, so keep reading to find out how you can minimize the risk as much as possible.

1- Get the right tow bar

Getting the right aircraft tow bar for your needs is half the battle when it comes to operating safely, and that’s because tow bars come in different sizes and configurations, and different kinds apply to different shapes of planes. The first step is to consider the kind of operation you’re a part of and whether it’s an intensive one that sees a lot of action in terms of major commercial planes that need to be serviced or one that sees mostly private jets for example, in a smaller, private airport. The size and shape of your tow bar will depend on your average use case since bigger tow bars will be overkill for private jets, and smaller tow bars won’t be suitable for bigger planes. 

2- Perform regular inspections

Tow bars are tools in your arsenal that will see a lot of use since planes tend to break down or need repair and need to be taxied out without turning them on up to a few times a day. This means that one of your most important pieces of equipment will be used in the long term without getting much rest, which is why you need to inspect it regularly and ensure it’s in proper working condition before you begin using it. A tow bar that hasn’t been maintained properly is liable to break while you’re using it, which will result in massive damage to your plane and whatever you’re trying to get done.

3- Carefully align the plane

Before you begin your operation, it’s integral to make sure that the start point is sound and properly set, and the only way to do that is to carefully align the nose of the plane with the attachment point on the tow bar, a task that, if you fail, can result in total derailment. Since it’s such a delicate job, you’ll need a team of people to oversee the attachment point or even use a secondary machine to form a perfect angle and line the plane up completely straight so there’s no resistance when you’re pulling it. 

4- Move slowly

Planes are massive machines and can get out of control easily, which is why the number one rule when you’re operating a tow bar is to move slowly. Although it’s difficult to offset your path, there are cases, such as during bad weather and other complications, when the friction between the plane wheels and the ground is much lower than normal, and even a slight miscalculation can result in your plane getting off track, causing damage and extreme safety issues.

5- Have a team in place for emergencies

As previously mentioned, there are many ways a routine operation can go wrong, whether the plane isn’t lined up properly, the tow bar is in poor condition, or the tarmac is wet. To be prepared for all possible emergencies, you should have an experienced team in place that’s ready at all times, as well as a support team to oversee the transport of all of your planes so that they can point out potential faults and places of concern before they become major faults or an accident. 

Conclusion

Tow bars are one of the most commonly seen and used tools in the airplane industry, thanks to the fact that it allows technicians to move their planes around without needing to turn the plane on and waste energy, fuel and time. However, since you’re not directly controlling the plane, it can be easy to make a mistake and damage the plane, so make sure to use the information in this article and start towing your planes safer than ever.