DIY Airplane Tug

Follow along as I turn this used electric wheelchair into an airplane tug. This project took several months to complete at a final cost of around $400. What an adventure starting with a crazy idea and finishing with a much needed tug for my plane.

This video is for entertainment purposes only and not intended as a form of instruction. I am a full time Fire Captain and Instrument rated pilot sharing my flying adventures with you. If you like my videos please subscribe to my channel.

#aviation #DIY #flying

[flyboy]

I'm making a tug out of a Pride Jazzy chair, and I found that you don't need a swivel plate if your nose wheel is between the two drive wheels. As the tug turns, your nose wheel just turns with it.

[ChipSchmidt-bl]

Pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing !!!!

[pipercomancheflyer]

Nice Comanche!!! Im in process of building a tug myself too lol. Lets see how it goes.

[dalewiltse]

Oh I have to build this. Thank you so much for posting your journey. Would love to know how you made the plate caster and the ramp locking brackets.

[grozman]

Outstanding design. Is there any way to get some pictures of the turntable that you made? That is the best design I have seen, so far.

[AviationAutomation]

Very nice..what did you use for the turntable bearings?

[vjames]

Would love to get the details on the lazy Susan assembly. Specifically the ramp locking arms.

[AlexanderMonteverde-rn]

Great tug. I’m currently building my own based on a modified version of your design (a slightly more powerful wheelchair and motors). I’m curious about the angle you used for the nose gear rest, as I’ve tried a few different angles with a spare Cherokee tire I have lying around, and the angles never look right as I plan to tow a few different nose and tail draggers. What angle is yours for reference? Thanks!

[nfill]

I'm impressed !!! Very nice job you did converting that chair to a tug.

I can definitely see myself doing similar, hence how I found your video, however, I'm curious, do you think that the motors strong enough to pull/push your aircraft on grass?
Thx .. Norm

[kennyyates]

What did you use for the base to swivel on?

[pierredoyon]

Can you tell me which Quantum model this is?