Aircraft Ground Practice Exam

How does tow differ from pushback in ground operations?

Tow uses a tug to move the aircraft with power from the engines.

Tow uses a tug to move the aircraft with no power; pushback moves the aircraft away from the gate and may involve engines/APU.

Tow and pushback are two different ways to move an aircraft on the ground. The key difference is how power is provided and the purpose of the move.

Tow is performed with a tow tractor that pulls the aircraft while its engines are shut down. The movement is powered by the tug, not by the aircraft, which keeps the engines off during repositioning.

Pushback is the controlled backing away from the gate to create space for taxiing. It typically uses a pushback tug connected to the nose gear and is done with the aircraft’s systems powered as needed—often by the APU or, in some cases, the engines—so electrical and hydraulic systems remain available during the maneuver and start-up can follow.

So, the best description is that tow moves the aircraft with a tug and no aircraft power, while pushback backs away from the gate and may involve the aircraft’s power sources.

Tow and pushback are identical operations.

Pushback uses a towbar only; tow uses the aircraft's engines.