Abstract: An aircraft handler (10) for use with an undercarriage of an aircraft, the handler being self-propelled and comprising a generally “U” shaped body (11) having arms (12 & 13) linked by a bridge (14) at one end thereof with a pair of drive wheels (16 & 17) located one at the free end of each arm, with at least one wheel(15) located adjacent the bridge(14). A pair of clamping jaws (51) are mounted on the body (11) between the drive wheels (16 & 17) and the bridge (14)and jaws (51) have a lower profile than the arms (12 & 17). The drive wheel (16 & 17) are driven by DC electric motors powered by batteries stored in the arms.

Abstract: An aircraft ground handling tractor (1) includes a manoeuverable boom (6) mounted on it. The free end of the manoeuverable boom (6) includes a connector (18) capable of being connected to an aircraft nosewheel assembly so that the tractor (1) can be connected to the nosewheel assembly through the boom (6) to enable it to pull or push the aircraft. The manoeuverable boom (6) is retractable completely within the outer limits of the tractor (1) so that, when the tractor (1) is not pulling an aircraft the manoeuverable boom (6) is wholly retracted so that it is protected from damage. Preferably the tractor (1) includes a longitudinal tunnel (7), and the manoeuverable boom (6) is received within this tunnel (7) in its retracted position. Preferably the movement functions of the boom (6) are all powered and all controlled from a driving cab (2) of the ground handling tractor (1), and the tractor (1) includes a separate, hand held control unit which enables them to be controlled remotely from the driving cab.