Air India first to use Taxibot, set to save fuel
Army Chief praises NIA for higher convictions It’ll bring down fuel consumption by 85% during taxiing
New Delhi: Air India on Tuesday became the first airline in the world to use a Taxibot on a A320 aircraft with passengers onboard. Taxibot is a robot-used aircraft tractor for taxiing an aircraft from parking bay to runway and vice versa. The usage of Taxibots will significantly bring down the consumption of fuel by as much as 85 per cent used during taxiing of an aircraft.
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat speaking at the Army Commanders’ Conference on Tuesday praised National Investigation Agency (NIA), saying its synergy with security forces has helped in large convictions.
The NIA recently cracked major terror funding cases in the Kashmir Valley.
Chief of the Army Staff during operational reviews “complimented” the NIA. “There has been effective and large number of convictions and this could happen due to synergy among the security forces and the agencies,” said the Army Chief, adding that such synergy with the law enforcing agencies will be reinforced.
He also complimented troops to have steadfastly faced challenges along western and eastern borders and in the hinterland. “The operational responsibility has been carried out by all ranks in the most sincere and dedicated manner resulting in foiling many BAT actions on LoC and terrorists’ action in the hinterland,” he said.
Gen. Rawat highlighted the innovativeness of soldiers and junior leaders in operational areas.
Meanwhile, speaking at the 41st DRDO directors conference, he pitched for greater inclusion of indigenous technology in the armed forces and asserted that India will fight and win the next war with homegrown solutions.
The Army Chief said the development of weaponry and other systems should be done keeping “future warfare” in mind. Air India on Tuesday earned a special distinction of becoming the first airline in the world to use a TaxiBot on an Airbus A320 aircraft operating a commercial flight between Delhi to Mumbai with passengers onboard.
A TaxiBot (Taxiing Robot) is a pilot controlled semi-robotic towbar-less aircraft tractor used as an alternate taxiing equipment. It helps tow an aircraft from the parking bay to the runway with its engines switched off, saving fuel and reduce engine wear and tear. The ignition is turned only when the aircraft reaches the runway.
On an average, Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 take between 10-15 minutes to taxi which results in burning
of about 200 litres of aviation turbine fuel.
Air India said that these TaxiBots will be used for departing flights only and this way the airlines will take a giant step towards curbing carbon emission, which will result in improving air quality and accelerate a greener aviation
eco-system.
“Further, usage of TaxiBots will significantly bring down the consumption of fuel by as much as 85% used during taxiing of aircraft. The TaxiBots would also help in decongesting boarding gates and apron area by providing efficient pushbacks,” Air India said.
“The use of Taxibot on the Air India aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport is the first such usage on any Airbus aircraft, worldwide. Really an achievement to be proud of. A giant step forward towards a cleaner environment,” said Air India CMD Ashwini Lohani after flagging off AI665 from Delhi to Mumbai from Delhi’s Terminal 3.
Recently, the national carrier became the first Indian airline to chart the Polar Route to San Francisco, which had resulted in savings on flying time, fuel consumption and curbing carbon footprint. Earlier, the airline had taken a major step by operating commercial flights on No Destination alternate route basis.