Pushback (aviation)

A KLM Boeing 777 being pushed back from a gate at Narita International Airport in Japan.

In aviation, pushback is an airport procedure during which an aircraft is pushed backwards away from its parking position, usually at an airport gate by external power.[1][2] Pushbacks are carried out by special, low-profile vehicles called pushback tractors or tugs.

Although many aircraft are capable of moving themselves backwards on the ground using reverse thrust (a procedure referred to as a powerback),[1] the resulting jet blast or prop wash would cause increased noise, damage to the terminal building or equipment, and can cause injury to airport staff due to flying debris. This debris would also be sucked into the engine, as it is in normal use, and cause excessive wear - a major cause of wear on aircraft engines is during ground use.[3] A pushback is therefore the preferred method when ground-handling aircraft.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference IATA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Kumar, Bharat; DeRemer, Dale; Marshall, Douglas M. (2004). An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation. New York: McGraw-Hill. p. 514. ISBN 978-0-07-139606-6.
  3. ^ Ravikovich, A (2020). "Criterion for evaluation of erosion of aviation engine parts from polymer composite materials". IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 868 (1): 1. Bibcode:2020MS&E..868a2026R. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/868/1/012026 – via Research Gate. This effect is inherent in the take-off and landing stages when sand and dust are lifted from the runway by an air stream, which greatly affects the durability of PCM parts.