what’s the use of the cart that pushes back the airplane? Can planes not reverse without it?
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Airplanes are not really designed to be on the ground…
So firstly they just don’t have any way of powering the wheels – to add in an engine and motor big enough to derive a plane about and reverse it would add notable weight and complexity to the plane – both of which are generally considered the enemy is efficient and reliable flight.
You then have to add to that a high cockpit position without a clear view of the ground, and zero view behind – okay for trundling along a clear taxiway, but dangerous in close quarters where the pilot would be maneuvering completely blind and trusting to an external watcher.
So what we end up with is the decision to use a tug while near the gate and needing to do fine maneuvering near people, structures and equipment – after all, a plane is already heavily reliant on ground based equipment anyway, so it isn’t a huge addition. And then when clear of buildings it can then use its engines to push itself along.
In theory, yes, most planes can use reverse thrust to reverse out on their own, however that also results in directing the power of that thrust at the departure gates and other structure, which is pretty far from ideal. Ground crew don’t really want to have to clear everything nearby and reinforce the windows just to move a plane.
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