System of driving channels for a carriage for transporting airplanes on an airport apron

A method carried out using a carriage that moves relative to an airport apron in guided relation within at least one elongated driving channel that extends below the airport apron, wherein a plurality of segmented plates are in moveable operative connection with the at least one elongated driving channel,

• comprising:
• (a) moving a first group of segmented plates in operative connection with the at least one driving channel from a plate closed position to a plate open position to open a selected portion of an elongated upper opening of the at least one driving channel,
• (b) moving a basket in operative connection with the carriage upward relative to the carriage from a position at least partially below the airport apron to operatively engage at least one wheel of an aircraft, wherein during at least a portion of basket movement the basket extends in the open selected portion,
• (c) moving the aircraft relative to the airport apron along the at least one driving channel through movement of the carriage in the at least one driving channel with the basket operatively engaged with the at least one wheel.

A method carried out using a carriage that moves relative to an airport apron within at least one elongated driving channel that extends below the airport apron, wherein a plurality of segmented plates are in moveable operative connection with the driving channel,

• comprising:
• (a) moving a first group of segmented plates in operative connection with the driving channel from a plate closed position to a plate open position to open a selected portion of an elongated upper opening of the at least one driving channel,
• (b) moving a floor in operative connection with the carriage upward relative to the carriage within the at least one driving channel to operatively engage the floor and at least one landing gear of an aircraft, wherein during at least a portion of floor movement the floor extends in the open selected portion;
• (c) moving the aircraft relative to the airport apron along the at least one driving channel through movement of the carriage in the at least one driving channel with the floor operatively engaged with the at least one landing gear of the aircraft.