As aircraft passenger travel increases, so does the need for ground support equipment (GSE) that can cope with more complex and heavy luggage requirements.  The Aviramp Chair-Lifter has been designed to make easy work of loading and unloading multiple small heavy items, such as electric mobility scooters, to and from the luggage hold. It provides a much faster and safer way for ground handlers to handle heavy items at height, as well as removing the need for physical lifting.

 

Aviramp’s innovative and unique airport GSE products, like the Chair-Lifter, have made huge positive impacts, not only the passenger experience but also on the efficiency and safety of ground handling operations.

 

Avoiding Damage To Wheelchairs

 

 

As passenger travel increases, the flaws in outdated ground operation procedures and equipment begin to show. Particularly affected are passengers with disabilities, who are more likely to experience delays from being stranded on an aircraft whilst awaiting airport assistance, or encounter damage to their wheelchairs.

The Chair-Lifter makes easy work of loading and unloading a passenger’s heavy mobility equipment onto aircraft, so the likelihood of damage is reduced dramatically. When used in conjunction with Aviramp step-free boarding ramps and bridges, the whole airport experience for disabled passengers can be much improved.

Delays in loading and unloading luggage from an aircraft hold creates a whole host of problems, especially for passengers with disabilities. No one wants to see reports of disabled passengers being stranded on an aircraft while waiting for assistance, least of all aviation stakeholders. Such incidents are indicative of aviation systems under strain. Understandably, this puts all those responsible in the frustrating situation of trying to improve the efficiency of ground handling systems that are under extreme pressure.

Pressure that’s further increased by lobby groups and individual influencers, who have experienced the problem of disability access and assistance firsthand. One such person, paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, has had several negative experiences as an aircraft passenger. Her latest situation described in the tweet below, was just one of them.

 

 

BBC reporter Frank Gardner also drew a lot of media attention recently, after being stranded while waiting to disembark and this wasn’t the first time he’s experienced the problem. Having a faster, more efficient disembarkment process, could have helped avoid situations like this.

 

How the Chair-Lifter can help ease the problems encountered by disabled passengers:

 

• Minimising the risk of damage to wheelchairs and other heavy electrical mobility equipment because there is no physical lifting involved by ground handlers.
• Increased efficiency enables ground support staff to quickly reacquaint disabled passengers with their mobility aids.
• Loading is quicker therefore turnaround times are decreased.
• Health and safety for baggage handlers is improved.

 

Together with the positive health and safety aspect of the Chair-Lifter, there are a whole host of other features including:

 

• Solar power, with emergency power backup.
• Central lift platform, SWL 300kgs.
• Individual unit capacity of 1 tonne.
• Easy hand positioning at the aircraft, and towable by tug.
• Position onto the belt loader or directly into the aircraft hold.
• Ramp access provided by both sides for loading and unloading.
• Removable guardrails for terminal-based forklift operations.

If you would like to know more about the Chair-Lifter or to discuss your individual needs, please contact us here.