Use of Towbarless Tractors at Airports—Best Practices

TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Research Results Digest 15: Use of Towbarless Tractors at Airports—Best Practices includes broad guidance designed to help enhance the safe operation of towbarless tractors (TBLTs) at airports.

The report is designed to assist airports and aircraft operators in gaining a basic understanding of the training and operational issues associated with TBLT operations.

TBLTs, also known as towbarless tow vehicles (TLTVs), are used to tow aircraft on the airport. TBLTs, as the name implies, do not use a towbar but instead use a pick-up device located in the center of the vehicle to cradle the nose gear tires in order to provide direct maneuvering of the aircraft.