Farnborough, UK, July 19, 2010 -- WheelTug Limited, developer of the WheelTug aircraft electric drive system, has retained Endeavor Analysis, LLC, a leading consulting firm on aircraft landing gears, to provide structural and strength analysis work for the landing gear connected to the WheelTug system.
The agreement was announced today at the biennial Farnborough Air Show, now underway here.
"We are delighted to add Endeavor Analysis to the team," said WheelTug's CEO, Isaiah Cox. "They add the pedigreed landing gear expertise to handle the development and certification of the WheelTug system for the 737 and beyond."
"EA looks forward to joining the WheelTug team and working together to bring this exciting new technology through development and into production," said Endeavor Analysis' Co-Owner, Scott Perkins.
The patented and proprietary WheelTug® electric drive system uses high performance electric motors, installed in the nose gear wheels of an aircraft, to provide full mobility while on the ground, without the use of the aircraft's jet engines or external tugs for both pushback and taxi operations. WheelTug enables aircraft to be electrically driven from the terminal gate to the takeoff runway, and upon landing from runway exit to the gate. The resulting improvements in efficiency, flexibility,fuel savings, and reduced engine foreign object damage (FOD) yield projected savings of more than $500,000 per aircraft per year, plus substantial reductions inCO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions.
The WheelTug system is being developed initially for the Boeing 737NG, one of the world's most widely flown aircraft; systems for other models of commercial and military aircraft will follow.
