Assist system and method for aircraft ground operation

A method of propelling an aircraft with an assist vehicle during a takeoff roll, the method comprising:

• with the assist vehicle coupled to a landing gear of the aircraft and disposed aft of the landing gear, propelling the aircraft with the assist vehicle by transferring a propulsive force from the assist vehicle to the aircraft via the landing gear during the takeoff roll;
• and
• after propelling the aircraft with the assist vehicle during the takeoff roll, decoupling the assist vehicle from the landing gear of the aircraft.

A method of propelling an aircraft on ground using a two-wheeled unmanned motorcycle, the method comprising:

• coupling the two-wheeled unmanned motorcycle to a landing gear of the aircraft;
• and
• propelling the aircraft with the two-wheeled unmanned motorcycle by transferring a propulsive force from the two-wheeled unmanned motorcycle to the aircraft via the landing gear when the aircraft is on ground.