Tronair JP-069 Long Winch Strap for Eagle/JetPorter Tugs

The "long" designation indicates that the JP-069 is a longer-length variant of the JetPorter winch strap, designed to accommodate the specific nose gear geometry of the JP30, eJP-3, eJP-3L, and JP30L tug models. JetPorter tugs are available in different configurations, and the strap length is matched to the tug's design to ensure proper engagement and secure aircraft capture. Using the wrong strap length – short instead of long, or vice versa – can compromise the connection between the tug and the aircraft's nose gear.

The JP-069 winch strap is constructed from nylon, a material well-suited to aircraft towing applications due to its strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance. Nylon straps offer a degree of elasticity that helps absorb the shock loads inherent in aircraft towing, reducing stress on both the strap and the aircraft's nose gear. The material also holds up well across a range of ramp environments, including exposure to jet fuel, hydraulic fluid, and outdoor weather conditions.

JetPorter tugs are towbarless aircraft tugs that use a self-propelled, cradle-style capture system to connect directly to an aircraft's nose gear – no towbar required. The winch strap plays a key role in securing the nose gear within the tug's cradle, keeping the aircraft firmly in place during towing maneuvers. This direct-capture design allows a single operator to tow aircraft quickly and efficiently, without the setup time required by traditional towbar systems.

Winch straps should be inspected regularly for signs of fraying, cuts, abrasion, discoloration, or any structural degradation that could compromise their load-bearing capacity. If the strap shows visible wear, has been subjected to a shock load event, or fails to engage the nose gear securely, it should be replaced immediately. Operating a JetPorter tug with a worn or damaged strap introduces risk to both the aircraft and ground personnel.

Even if a strap shows no obvious signs of damage, proactive scheduled replacement is a sound preventative maintenance practice for any towing operation. The specific replacement interval will depend on your tug's operating frequency and the environment in which it's used, so consulting Tronair's service documentation for your tug model is the best starting point for establishing a replacement schedule. Keeping a spare JP-069 on hand ensures that a worn strap never becomes an unplanned maintenance delay.

Yes! The JP-069 is an OEM replacement winch strap sourced directly through Tronair, the manufacturer of the Eagle and JetPorter tug series. Using OEM replacement parts ensures that your tug continues to perform as designed and that your maintenance documentation remains consistent with the manufacturer's service specifications. Third-party strap substitutes may not meet the same dimensional or load-bearing standards as the factory part.

No. The JP-069 is designed specifically for use with JetPorter towbarless electric aircraft tugs and is not interchangeable with strap or coupling components used on towbar-based tug systems. JetPorter tugs use a proprietary cradle-and-strap capture system that is unique to the platform. Using the JP-069 outside of its intended application could result in improper fitment and an unsafe towing condition.

JetPorter electric tugs are designed to tow a wide range of general aviation and light commercial aircraft, with compatibility varying by model and rated towing capacity. The JP30 and its variants are used across FBOs, corporate flight departments, MROs, and military flight operations to reposition everything from piston singles to light jets and turboprops. For specific aircraft compatibility with your JetPorter model, Tronair's documentation or PJi's aviation specialists can confirm which nose gear configurations and aircraft weights are supported.