What is a Tug?

• A. A type of airline service vehicle.
• B. A kind of aircraft.
• C. A ground vehicle used to push or tow aircraft on the ground.
• D. A towing aircraft at cruise altitude.

Answer: (C)

A tug is a ground vehicle used to push or tow aircraft on the ground. In airports, tugs attach to a aircraft’s nose gear and move planes to gates, maintenance areas, or positions for towing or pushback, all with careful steering and braking to keep everyone safe. This is distinct from an aircraft itself, which flies, and from other service vehicles that aren’t specifically used to move airplanes on the ground. It’s also not an airborne towing aircraft, which would operate at cruise altitude. So the best description is a ground vehicle used to push or tow aircraft on the ground.