Airbus moves ahead on eTaxi

Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding with EGTS International, a joint venture of Safran and Honeywell Aerospace, to further develop and evaluate an autonomous electric pushback and taxiing system for the A320 family. The agreement marks the selection of EGTS International's Electric Green Taxiing System, referred to as eTaxi by Airbus, to be evaluated as a new option on the A320 family. The option would allow aircraft to push-back from the gate without a tug, taxi-out to the runway, and return to the gate after landing without operating the main engines. (Source: Airbus, 12/18/13) Previous. Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 assembly line in Mobile, Ala.; Safran has an operation in Mobile.