Aerolane is proving the economic advantages of AeroTowing | Image by Aerolane/web
An idea that sounds like science fiction is being brought to life by a company right here in North Texas.
Aerolane, a startup aviation company developing a so-called “sky train,” showcased its futuristic concept outside its headquarters at Perot Field in Fort Worth Alliance Airport.
On October 1, a group that included investors, Hillwood executives, and U.S. Congressman Jake Ellzey gathered at the airport to witness the takeoff of the cargo glider technology, towed by an airplane, much like a locomotive pulling a freight car.
Aerolane envisions a future where gliders are utilized to pull cargo, thereby helping to save energy and enhance air cargo transportation efficiency. The October 1 flight marked a milestone event for the company, which included former executives from Prime Air and BNSF.
According to the startup’s co-founder and chief commercial officer, Prescott Watson, Perot Field presents a much busier and more complex airspace than Reese Airpark, the decommissioned air base in Lubbock, where Aerolane had previously tested its technology.
Perot Field acts as a major hub for Amazon Prime Air and FedEx. It also serves as the home of the BNSF Railway Alliance Intermodal Facility. Last year alone, the location recorded 628.7 million pounds of air cargo arriving and departing, according to the Texas Comptroller.
“It is a huge deal that we have gotten to the point where we can show that towed flight or aero towing is not only something that saves a tremendous amount of fuel, but it can be done repeatedly, and it can be done in a complex environment without interrupting commercial operations,” Watson said, per the Dallas Business Journal.
The next step for Aerolane is to secure certification to use its technology on a commercial scale. The startup is currently undergoing a design approval process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to convert existing aircraft into gliders that can tug cargo.
Watson says Aerolane has already contracted $300 million with a customer for its tow technology known as the AC0. While the name of the company has not been disclosed, Watson says it is a large regional carrier.