![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Michael-Shoemaker_CItadeledit.jpg\")
Citadel Construction President Michael Shoemaker said he\nwill work with several Oklahoma subcontractors to build the ATS\nunderground-channel project, including Eyestone Steel Erection. Eyestone will\nerect, assemble and install the unique structural steel components imported\nfrom Poland, while 4G Concrete Inc. will provide cement, rebar, mesh and the\nother concrete-related materials needed to reinforce the poured-in-place\nconcrete channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe underground channel system will also be covered with\nspecialized steel plates,\u201d Shoemaker said. \u201cWe\u2019re installing part of the\nworld\u2019s next great innovation for the airports of the future with the ATS\nelectrically powered tug system. Move over Elon Musk, ATS is getting ready to\nmake waves!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/ATS-System-1b-002edit.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nATS will use an electric-powered underground \u201cpull car\u201d and\nabove-ground \u201ctow dolly\u201d that will run along the U-shaped channel to move\naircraft to and from airport runways and gates without using the aircraft\u2019s\nmain jet engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is exciting to have a contract with Citadel Construction\nand their subcontractors because we are finally able to dig in the dirt to\ncreate the ATS underground channel,\u201d ATS Vice President\/CEO Vince Howie said.\n\u201cOnce complete and weather-permitting, our unique ATS channel will be used to\ntest our aircraft towing system prototype this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ATS is the longtime dream of successful Polish businessman\nand entrepreneur, Stan Malicki, who is the ATS president. Howie said Malicki\ndeveloped the ATS concept after learning a pilot friend was frustrated due to\nlengthy taxi times at airports and the subsequent needless burning of tons of\naviation fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Digging-for-ATS-Test-Site-edit.jpg\")
\u201cFortunately, Oklahoma\u2019s strong aerospace background and\npro-aviation business environment was attractive to Stan when deciding where\nand when to incorporate ATS in 2016,\u201d Howie said. \u201cWe worked together with the\nOklahoma State University New Product Development Center (OSU NPDC) in\nStillwater, Oklahoma, to design and develop our ATS system prototype. We have\nalso brought in a host of experts to help create different parts of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter landing an aircraft, the pilot will taxi to the appropriate taxiway and drive the aircraft nose wheel onto the ATS \u2018tow dolly\u2019 where it is secured in place. Pilots can then shut off the aircraft\u2019s main engines.\u201d According to Howie, the real beauty of ATS is lower-fuel costs, on-ground safety improvements (including fewer on-ground aircraft collisions) and the significant decrease of harmful emissions and noise pollution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAirlines and airports will benefit with increased operational capacity and prolonged engine and component life,\u201d Howie said. Progress continues with the prototype\u2019s \u201cpull car\u201d and \u201ctow dolly,\u201d including its hydraulic plumbing, wiring and software coding. \u201cWe believe ATS will revolutionize the way airports operate around the world and will change the world one airport at a time,\u201d Howie said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vince_Mike_Michaeledit-1024x399.jpg\")