This part of ISO 20683 is applicable to towbarless towing vehicles (TLTVs) interfacing with the nose-landing gear of main-line civil transport aircraft with a maximum ramp mass over 50 000 kg (110 000 lb). The requirements for regional transport aircraft with a lower maximum ramp mass are specified in ISO 20683-2. It is not applicable to TLTVs which were manufactured before its date of publication.

This part of ISO 20683 specifies general design requirements, testing and evaluation requirements, maintenance, calibration, documentation, records, tracing and accountability requirements in order to ensure that the loads induced by the tow vehicle will not exceed the design loads of the nose gear or its steering system, or reduce the certified safe life limit of the nose gear, or induce a stability problem during aircraft push-back and/or gate relocation or maintenance towing operations.

This part of ISO 20683 specifies requirements and procedures for TLTVs intended for aircraft push-back and gate relocation or maintenance towing only. It is not intended to allow for dispatch (operational) towing (see Clause 3). Dispatch towing imposes greater loads on nose gears and aircraft structure due to the combination of speed and additional passenger, cargo, and fuel loads.

This part of ISO 20683 does not apply to TLTVs interfacing with aircraft main landing gear.