WingGuard

WingGuard makes collision sensors for aircraft tugs. Its product is the SafeZone system. The sensors warn tug operators when a wing is close to an obstacle. The site does not list a city or street address for the company.

The site says the aviation community spends more than 3 billion dollars a year on ground incident repair. It calls this damage hangar rash. The site says hangar rash is costly, inconvenient and avoidable.

The SafeZone sensors use radar. Each sensor attaches to a wing with a suction cup mount. The site says the sensors give 360 degrees of protection and reduce blind spots. The sensors connect wirelessly to a DataHub.

The DataHub holds a weatherproof tablet with an operator screen. It gives audible and visual alerts when an aircraft is too close to an object. Each system includes a pair of Bluetooth headphones for loud hangars.

The site describes a tug kill feature. It shuts off the tug engine when a sensor is very close to an obstacle. The site says this adds one more layer of safety for tug operators.

The company began with Greg Griffith, a private aircraft owner and commercial pilot. The site says a tug hit a parked fuel truck during a stop in Florida, and the wing tip of his plane was damaged. After the repair, he sketched ideas for a better system. The site has pages for technology, a gallery and contact. Contact is by form or by phone at (888) 795-1533.