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The Alpha A2 and A3, starting at $2,995, are dragger style tugs, useful to move lighter aircraft with a maximum weight of 3,600 pounds, with options for tailwheel airplanes. I selected one of these for a friend’s Husky which has worked well. I also considered this option for my Cirrus SR22, however I needed flexibility to move a variety of aircraft (and possibly a helicopter in the future), so the Bravo B5 offered more flexibility to fit my needs.
The Bravo series, starting at $5,800, consists of larger, walk-behind tugs that can move larger piston and turbo- prop singles as well as twins and jets up to 18,000 pounds. Using a combi- nation of loading straps, ramps and a “Quick Lock” fork for planes with fair- ings such as the SR22, the Bravo B5 is extremely easy to use with very smooth throttle response. With the two-speed throttle, I use the low speed for fine movement into my hangar and the higher speed when I need to move it farther distances. You can easily switch between the fork and strap depending upon the aircraft you need to move.
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I’ve even used the cup holder and USB charging ports on the handle. I also purchased the onboard air compressor option which makes it easy to position the tires and then inflate them. If you need to travel over raised metal tracks at your hangar, I recommend the op- tional shock absorber on the steering
To counter potential prop damage, Best Tugs has patented their Prop-Safe Technology.
tire which makes it smoother when moving over those rails.
For those owners with helicop- ters, Best Tugs has two options: a helicopter lift attachment that will work on a Bravo B5, or a Bravo-derived helicopter product line named the Heli. Currently, their helicopter lift is de- signed for a Robinson, which makes sense because they also fly one them- selves. It locks onto the helicopter and has a remote lift to raise the nose enough to roll the aircraft on its rear wheels or a dolly. They offer two ver- sions of their Heli line – H5 and H9, which reflects the weight capabilities. If you want to move helicopters that uti- lize a platform, they also offer a towing adapter for the Bravo, and other lines, that allows you to tow the landing pad.
The Romeo, which also starts at $5,800, is their low-profile remote- control line, complete with remote
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February 2019
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