Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2015, Lektro is a second-generation family-owned business based in Warrenton, Oregon, that manufactures all-electric “towbarless” aircraft tugs suitable for piston aircraft, business jets, commercial airliners, and military aircraft. In March 2017, the company delivered to American Airlines its 5,000th aircraft tug.
Lektro founder Wilt Paulson founded the Willamette Aircraft and Engine Company in 1945. It wasn’t until 1967 that Lektro would invent the first towbarless vehicle dubbed the Airporter. The company also claims to be the first in the United States to produce an electric mink feeder, golf cart, and sauna bath. The company has also produced forklifts and warehouse vehicles during its history.
Lektro’s tugs are available in AP83, AP86, AP86X, AP87, AP87X, AP88, and AP89 series with models ranging from handling up to 15,000 pounds (covering piston-engine aircraft through very light jets) to up to 280,000 pounds (Boeing 757s, narrow-body airliners, and airline-sized corporate jets). In 2016, Lektro released an AP8950SDB-AL-250 model that can handle regional aircraft and narrow-body airliners operating domestically and that’s certified to handle the Boeing 757/737/717 and MD-95; Airbus A318-321, Bombardier Q400 and CRJ series; and the Embraer ERJ and E-Series aircraft. The recently released AP8850SDA-H is a hybrid model (Jet A or diesel power) suitable for environments where power sources are limited or unreliable.
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