Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

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rdrobson
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Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

Post by rdrobson »

My father would like to go for rides with me in the DA62 but normally he moves around with a walker (although he's good for short distances w/o one) and I was looking for some foldable steps that I could take along to help him get up and back off the wing. Does anybody have any suggestions or other aids for allowing people like that easier access to the aircraft?

Sometime in the future I would also like to do angel flights and I imagine something like that would be handy there as well.

Thanks!

--Ron
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TimS
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Re: Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

Post by TimS »

For my Cirrus, I used something like the following:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-F ... l/20575627

I then attached a rope to it. When my grandmother stepped up on the wing, it was easy for me to pull the rope and pull in the step. Since it was rubber, did not care if it bounced against the side of the plane.

I got the idea from a Mooney pilot; so i cannot take credit.

Tim
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Diamond_Dan
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Re: Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

Post by Diamond_Dan »

I use this one from Sporty's for my DA40:

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/aerola ... l?___SID=U

Folds flat, very strong, steps feel very natural up to the wing. It is shorter than the wing so it wont scratch if it gets too close.

That said, the plastic one is nice too...

Dan
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blsewardjr
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Re: Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

Post by blsewardjr »

I use a folding step stool for my DA40 -- https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honey-Can-Do ... Dbk0BY6Q30

However, I like the idea of the two step stool. That would allow smaller vertical steps for my passengers.
Bernie Seward, IR, AGI
2003 DA40 N377DS
KCHO Charlottesville, VA
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Don
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Re: Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

Post by Don »

blsewardjr wrote:I use a folding step stool for my DA40 -- https://www.walmart.com/ip/Honey-Can-Do ... Dbk0BY6Q30

However, I like the idea of the two step stool. That would allow smaller vertical steps for my passengers.
I have that same step and like that it folds up. I found that the bigger challenge for ingress into the DA40 is stepping down through the back seat door for older or disabled passengers.
Diamond Star XLS, N623DS, SN40.1076
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Colin
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Re: Passenger Assist Step Suggestions

Post by Colin »

I got the Aeroladder as well. I use it every flight so I can see properly into the cowling to get the stick in and out nicely, and to see if there's a surprise badger in there or something.

I've used it a few times for less-abled passengers including a couple Angel Flights. As has already been pointed out, once they are on the wing getting DOWN into the passenger compartment is not easy either. In fact, I think it *might* be easier in the co-pilot seat since the straight-up legroom is a little better. But then you have to step forward. I don't know, it's a hard call.

A friend did an Angel Flight in her DA40 and at the other end the firemen on the field lifted the passenger out. That made me think a little more about egress and ingress.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
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