What is a ladder in an airplane. Aircraft rescue equipment. Placement of rescue equipment on aircraft during flights over water

). Folding side ladders eliminate problems when using an external ladder. An airstair combined with a door can interfere with the installation of a mobile or telescopic airstair at the airport.

The built-in tail ladder is often used on passenger aircraft with rear engines (Caravelle, Yak-40, Boeing 727). Almost always, the ladder here is part of the manhole cover.

The built-in airstair simplifies the operation of aircraft in insufficiently well-equipped airports, so built-in airstairs were common on aircraft in the second half of the 20th century. On some types of aircraft, a built-in ladder was a mandatory part of the design. An example is the Il-86, the only wide-body aircraft in the world produced with built-in airstairs. The development of airports and the proliferation of fixed airstairs made built-in airstairs redundant. The presence of an airstair increases the weight of the aircraft, which worsens its economic performance, so today the built-in airstairs are used to a limited extent, and mainly on regional aircraft.

Built-in airstairs are available on almost all business jets, regardless of their size, to ensure maximum aircraft autonomy at any airport. The VC-25 aircraft, which is used by the President of the United States, for example, has two built-in ladders on the lower deck, reminiscent of the Il-86 ladders.

Side ladders also include inflatable or tension ladders, which are used only for emergency evacuation of passengers and crew. Any boarding ladders belong to the onboard emergency equipment.

After an attempted hijacking in the USA by Dan Cooper, followed by the hijacker's parachute jump, the opening of the side ladder in the air is prevented by a special device - the "Cooper vane" (Cooper vane).

Notes

V-tail

V-shaped plumage (English V-tail) - a type of layout of the plumage of an aircraft, consisting of two inclined surfaces that perform the functions of both horizontal and vertical plumage. The synchronous deflection of the control surfaces (English ruddervator) plays the role of the elevator and controls the pitch. Asynchronous - rudder and controls yaw.

Due to the low efficiency and complexity of control, as well as increased requirements for the strength characteristics of the rear fuselage, such plumage was not widely used in large aircraft. Found in small and unmanned aircraft. Comparing the V-tail with the traditional one, the pluses include less weight, less washed surface and lower cost. Often the use of a V-tail is dictated by the special properties of the aircraft: reduced radar or infrared visibility, ease of placement of engines or cargo, lower height when placed in a hangar.

automatic traction

The autothrottle is a system that automatically controls the thrust of the engines. The machine moves the throttles in such a way as to maintain the set engine speed or set speed during the flight. It is designed to work in conjunction with the autopilot and navigation computer.

Variometer

A variometer (from Latin vario - I change + other Greek μέτρον - I measure) in aviation is a flight instrument that shows the rate of change in the flight altitude of an aircraft.

vibrating slat

Vibrating slat (oscillating slat, flapping slat) - the original aircraft propulsion unit, which is a special slat, the vibration of which creates lift. Invented by Alexander Ivanovich Boldyrev in the 1940s.

In 1946, Boldyrev presented a project for such an aircraft, and in 1947 he created an experimental flying prototype aircraft with this engine. In the same 1947, the project was closed, officially due to a gearbox failure, unofficially due to the reorientation of the MAI towards jet aircraft.

Gargrot

Gargrot is a streamlined element of the fuselage of an aircraft (missile), which covers all control wiring, all pipelines and parts of important systems that protrude beyond the fuselage. Gargrot provides convenient access to all of the above elements. Depending on the placement, there is an upper fairing and a lower fairing. The shape of the element is different, and depends on the type of aircraft, its technical features.

Flap Gouja

The Gouja flap is an element of the mechanization of an aircraft wing. It serves to improve landing performance, in particular, to reduce landing speed. In Gouja flaps, along with an increase in concavity, the wing area increases. This makes it possible to reduce takeoff distance and increase lift. This type of flap was successfully used on such aircraft as the Short Sunderland and Short Stirling. The flap was invented in 1936 by English engineer Sir Arthur Goudge of Short Brothers.

Course deviation indicator

The course deviation indicator is an on-board flight and navigation device that shows the deviation between the actual flight course of the aircraft and the calculated one. When the aircraft is positioned to the left of the given trajectory, the index arrow deviates to the right, and vice versa.

The built-in VOR-navigation function allows you to control the set course of the aircraft in automatic mode.

Kiel (aviation)

Keel - part of the tail of an aircraft (LA), located in the normal plane of the aircraft (which usually coincides with its plane of symmetry) or an inclined plane in the case of a V-shaped tail. The keel is designed to provide stability in the slip angle of the aircraft. A rudder is usually hinged to the trailing edge of the keel (shown in yellow in the figure on the right).

Kok (fairing)

Kok - (from French cocon - shell) a fairing of a propeller or a turbine fan wheel, used to reduce the drag of the propulsion unit. As a rule, it has a conical or hemispherical shape. Inside, the spinner is hollow, since it covers the propeller hub to smoothly separate the flow lines at the engine inlet and reduce drag.

The pusher propellers and propellers of ships are also equipped with spinners for better streamlining.

Height Corrector

Altitude corrector - a device on an aircraft for generating a signal about the current value of the deviation of the barometric altitude of an aircraft from some of its specified reference value. It is used as a sensor for automatic stabilization of the current altitude during automatic flight control of an aircraft by an autopilot or an automatic control system.

Structurally, it consists of an aneroid barometric altitude sensor, an altitude memory device at the moment of switching on, and a device for generating an electrical signal for the difference between the reference and current flight altitudes. The altitude corrector is connected to the onboard static pressure receiver.

Wing toe

Toe of the wing - the front part of the wing from the extreme front point to the first longitudinal power element - the wall or the front spar.

The nose of the wing may contain the following mechanization and systems:

Anti-icing system - rubber protectors (Deicing boot, air-thermal POS system with heating elements, etc.);

Deviated toe - a slat that does not form a gap;

Wing influx;

Slat;

Leading edge slot;

Shield Kruger;

Stoll strip - a device designed to improve stall behavior and create a distinct warning shake on the ailerons when approaching a stall;

Plate turbulator.

Plate turbulator

A plate turbulator or swirler is an aerodynamic device that is used to improve airflow in aircraft. It is installed on the streamlined surface of an aircraft or to introduce disturbances into the flow around the flow in order to destabilize it and shift upstream the point of transition from laminar to turbulent flow.

Rotor slat

The rotary slat is the original propeller of the aircraft. A horizontal bladed rotor located along the front of the wing. When rotating, the rotor creates both lift and driving force.

Spoileron

Spoileron (from English spoileron = spoiler + aileron) - a hybrid of an aileron and a spoiler. Spoilerons - aerodynamic aircraft controls, symmetrically located on the trailing edge of the wing consoles. A spoileron can be used to achieve an aileron effect, i.e. to roll the aircraft by reducing lift on one wing, but unlike ailerons, without increasing lift on the other wing. As a side effect, a raised spoileron also increases drag on one wing, which causes yaw that can be parried by the rudder. Spoilers used for roll control are sometimes called spoilerons. Spoilers can be used to assist the ailerons or replace them entirely, thereby reducing the number of control surfaces.

statoscope

A statoscope (ancient Greek στᾰτός - “standing, motionless” + other Greek σκοπέω - “observe”) is a device for recording changes in the flight altitude of an aircraft according to the measured difference in atmospheric pressure and pressure inside the device. The statoscope is intended primarily for aerial photography.

The most common in the form of a liquid differential barometer, consisting of two identical automatically switching manometric systems. According to the fixed difference in the levels of alcohol in the manometric tubes, pressure and air temperature at the flight altitude, the barometric heights of the photographing points and their changes are calculated (using the barometric formula or using the "barometric step") with an accuracy of about 0.5-1.0 m.

Technical compartment

Technical compartment, technical compartment (in aviation) - a room or space inside an aircraft, limited by walls or partitions (frames), which houses technical equipment (assemblies, electronic components, assemblies, tanks) and in which technical personnel perform work

for maintenance, adjustment and repair. As a rule, all technical compartments of an aircraft (AC) have a number or their own name (2 t/o, 5 t/o, front leg niche compartment, computer compartment, etc.). Each technical compartment has its own entrance hatch (sash, door) or hatch for access. The technical compartment usually has general or local lighting, sockets with power supply for portable lamps and control equipment, control ShR (plug connectors) of units and systems, SPU sockets, shelves, ladders, handling equipment, etc.

Pusher steering column

Control column pusher - a mechanism for deflecting the aircraft control stick or steering wheel in the event of a critical flight mode. Accompanied by an audible warning and vibration of the manual control. It is installed in large aircraft, especially with T-tails.

The rudder pusher is a component of the aircraft stall protection system. The on-board computer receives input data from the angle of attack sensors of this system. When the aircraft enters a stall, the computer activates the rudder shake, beeps for the pilot, and activates an active protection mechanism when the motor is activated, giving the yoke column to dive away from the pilot, thus reducing the angle of attack and helping to prevent rollover.

Course pointer

Heading indicator - an on-board instrument showing the current heading of the aircraft.

speed indicator

The speed indicator in aviation is a flight control and measuring device that shows the speed of flight relative to the air. The operation of the device is based on the measurement of the velocity head of the air flow. There are true airspeed indicators, indicated (indicated) speed indicators and combined instruments. Some models of speed indicators are also designed to determine the Mach number; they are used on high-speed jet aircraft.

Air passenger transportation has long become commonplace in the life of every modern person. However, one can often observe how passengers are embarrassed to board the aircraft. It seems to them that this way of getting into the salon is obsolete, and it is high time to replace it with the usual tunnel to the very doors.

Not just stairs

The biggest mistake passengers make when talking about airstairs is focusing on obsolete technology. In fact, this conclusion is fundamentally wrong. The fact is that the ladder of an aircraft is not just a complex mechanism that allows people to safely get on board and leave it, regardless of weather conditions. Such a device differs from the ladder in telescopicity and size.

The design of the ladder is simple:

  • a vehicle driven by an operator;
  • the device itself;
  • sealant.

Qualified work on such a machine is extremely important. The person managing it is obliged to strictly comply with all safety requirements in order to avoid a tragedy. So, a recent case in Russia was that the operator of the airstairs of the plane in Pulkovo did not bring him close enough to the door. This led to the death of a little girl.

Two passengers fell into an unexpectedly formed gap between the aircraft and the compactor and fell onto the concrete surface of the runway from a great height. The girl was seriously injured and was hospitalized. Unfortunately, the child could not be saved. So simple negligence led to the collapse of part of the ladder and the death of a small child.

Varieties of ladders

Many people think that the tunnel from the waiting room to the side of the aircraft is something innovative and technically perfect. This is a common misconception. The fact is that such a device is also a telescopic ladder. Yes, it is more perfect, and there is no stairs, but it is not so versatile. It cannot be quickly repaired or simply replaced with another one. In addition, only specialized aircraft can be fitted to it.

The passenger telescopic ladder of the aircraft is a long and comfortable gallery, and it is not available at all airports. Most often, only large air harbors with a large passenger flow are equipped with them.

For smaller airports, mobile airstairs are used, and this is what many passengers do not like. In hard-to-reach regions, there is often no developed infrastructure, so only those aircraft that have a ladder built into the hull fly there. This is the simplest device of all, and it cannot boast of reliability or safety.

Airstairs can have significant differences in design. The cheapest of them really look like stairs, and those that are more expensive look like escalators and travolators. Although their design may be different, these devices for ordinary passengers are always made from the same materials. Mainly aluminum and other light metals.

Rules of Conduct for Passengers

Not only the operators are responsible for the ladder. First of all, the passenger must take care of his own safety and, in accordance with international rules, he is obliged to comply with the rules while on the airstairs. It is forbidden to jump from it, it cannot be rocked, since all such actions can end extremely unpleasantly for the passenger.

If there is reason to believe that the device is defective, it is the passenger's duty to immediately report this to the flight attendant. Standing at the gangway of the aircraft, it is necessary to treat each other with respect, observing a live queue and not preventing personnel from entering the board.

emergency ladder

In the event of an emergency situation at the airport, passengers descend along the built-in board of the aircraft. If an emergency landing occurs, then regardless of the damage, the crew must use the emergency evacuation slide. It inflates instantly and provides an excellent opportunity to exit the aircraft quickly and in an organized manner.

The most luxurious ladders in the world

In terms of senseless luxury, Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly the leader in everything. Of course, at civil airports, completely ordinary ladders are used here. Yes, they are more modern, but there is nothing unusual about them. However, everything is completely different when the passenger is not an ordinary tourist, but a sheikh. In this case, the staircase can be richly decorated or even be a work of art.

The personal ladder is especially curious. He constantly carries it with him in order to inspire the whole world with the thought of his incredible wealth. What is so interesting there? First of all, the entire staircase is made of gold and is a moving escalator.

The especially wealthy representatives of the royal family of Saudi Arabia have an airplane gangway, although more modest than that of the king, but it is still decorated with precious stones, and the material of the stairs is an alloy of precious metals.

On steamboats and ships, a ladder, a board for getting off. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Pavlenkov F., 1907. Gangways on ships, stairs or footbridges. A complete dictionary of foreign words that have come into use in the Russian language ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Gangway (aviation term)- This term has other meanings, see Trap. This article or section needs revision. Please improve the article in soo ... Wikipedia

ladder- 1) a, m. 1. Stairs on the ship. Ladder to the engine room. □ People walk along narrow iron ladders and corridors into the depths of the ship, into the cockpits. Vishnevsky, We are from Kronstadt. || A device for boarding and disembarking a ship. From the ship... ... Small Academic Dictionary

side ladder- On-board (built-in) airstairs of the aircraft - airstairs, which is part of the equipment of the aircraft. It is used for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers at airfields without the use of a conventional ladder. Structurally, it can be combined with a door (IL 86, ... ... Wikipedia

Folding ladder- aircraft - a rigid type of aircraft ladder: a part of the fuselage skin that leans outward with steps on the inside for boarding and disembarking passengers at airfields that are not equipped with other, autonomous, ladders. Side ladders ... ... Wikipedia

cargo ladder of a transport aircraft- cargo gangway - [GOST 22285 76] Equipment topics. cargo cabins of transport aircraft Synonyms cargo ladder ...

wing-mounted inflatable emergency boarding airstair- wing inflatable ladder An inflatable emergency side air ladder designed for emergency evacuation of people from the wing of an aircraft or helicopter to land or water. [GOST 22949 78] Aviation accident topics. save. board. equipment Synonyms ... ... Technical Translator's Handbook

inflatable emergency airstair- inflatable ladder Air ladder in the form of an inflatable structure, designed for emergency evacuation of people from an airplane or helicopter to land or water. Note Depending on the availability of the number of tracks, one-track, two-track, ... ... Technical Translator's Handbook

fuselage inflatable emergency side airstair- fuselage inflatable ladder An inflatable emergency side air ladder designed for emergency evacuation of people from the fuselage of an aircraft or helicopter to land or water. [GOST 22949 78] Aviation accident topics. save. board. equipment… … Technical Translator's Handbook

combined inflatable emergency airborne ladder-raft- TPL ladder raft Inflatable emergency airborne trawl, which can be used as a life raft during an emergency landing of an aircraft or helicopter on the water. Note Depending on the number of tracks, single-track, ... ... Technical Translator's Handbook

Major air crashes of passenger aircraft in Russia in 2010‑2012- This is not the only major air crash that has occurred in Russia over the past three years. 2012 On April 2, a UTair ATR-72 aircraft operating a Tyumen-Surgut flight crashed while taking off from Tyumen Airport. On board were 43 ... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

For quick and safe descent of passengers to the ground in the event of an emergency landing of an aircraft on an unequipped site or in an emergency on the ground on civil aviation aircraft with a high fuselage, inflatable emergency ladders TN-2 are used (on Tu-104A, Tu-104B, Il- 62, Tu-154), TN-3 (on Il-18, Tu-134), TN-5 (on Tu-114). Inflatable ladders on the aircraft are placed near the entrance doors.

The inflatable ladder is a chute consisting of two longitudinal inflatable "beams" connected to each other by transverse cylinders. The free space between the longitudinal "beams" and the transverse cylinders is closed by a panel of rubberized fabric glued to them. Thus, a rather rigid tray is obtained, along which the sliding descent of passengers and crew is carried out. Circular chambers are glued into the upper part of the longitudinal "beams", which serve as handrails at the exit to the ladder, and three inflatable chambers are glued into the upper part of the transverse cylinder, forming the threshold of the ladder and thereby protecting passengers from bruises on the threshold of the doorway. Attached to the ladder are two straps with tips (brackets) with which the ladder is fixed under the threshold of the doorway of the aircraft.

Inflatable emergency ladders, depending on the type (TN-2, TN-3, TN-5), have different lengths in the working position (from 4250 to 7760 mm) and are filled with carbon dioxide from cylinders with a capacity of 8 liters. The tightness of the inflatable ladder allows you to use it within 30 minutes, after which the ladder gradually loses its! rigidity. The weight of the ladder in the case (without cylinder and sleeve) is from 20 (TN-3) to 30 kg (TN-5). Weight of one bottle filled carbon dioxide is equal to 16 kg, including the weight of carbon dioxide5 kg. The maximum pressure in the ladder is 0.45 atm, the time for filling the ladder is 20-25 seconds. The packing cover of the ladder is fastened with conical pins and pins (similar to the packing of a parachute), has an additional lacing for tightening the ladder in a bag into a bag.

An inflatable emergency ladder significantly speeds up the evacuation of passengers from an aircraft in an emergency. Fabric gutters available on aircraft also serve to quickly evacuate passengers from an aircraft. If there are inflatable emergency ladders on the Tu-114 aircraft, the fabric rescue chutes are used as a backup means of rescue. On Tu-104 and Tu-124 aircraft, emergency-rescue cloth chutes are the main means of quick evacuation of passengers to the ground.

The procedure for the use of an aviation emergency inflatable ladder and an emergency rescue chute is given in the diagrams and in special instructions.

Using the inflatable ladder TN:

  • 1. Ladder, stowed in a cover, put on the threshold of the doorway.
  • 2. Fasten the ends of the ladder straps in the threshold nodes of the doorway and push the ladder with the cover out.
  • 3. Pull the studs out of the pins of the cover with a cable, after which the cover will open, and the ladder will fall out to the ground.
  • 4. Turn the cylinder valve handle. The ladder will fill with gas.
  • 5. Go down the ladder for one or two members of the aircraft crew and insure passengers on the ground when they leave the ladder.

With a strong side wind, one or two crew members descend along the rope with bosses (knots) to the ground and pull the ladder from the aircraft by the bottom when filling, preventing the ladder from being demolished under the aircraft.

To ensure the rescue of passengers and crew in the event of an emergency landing of an aircraft on water, civil aviation provides for individual and group watercraft.

Individual watercraft include ASZH-63P lifejackets, which are designed to keep a person afloat after leaving the aircraft and before boarding group watercraft (inflatable aviation life rafts) or other rescue equipment (boats, boats, boats, passing ships, helicopters, etc.). . P.).

The ASZh-63P vest has the form of a bib, consists of two inflatable chambers and is filled with gaseous carbon dioxide from a cylinder. The vest is put on the neck through the hole and fastened to the belt with a nylon braid. The weight of the vest is 950 g. The material of the vest is a two-layer rubberized yellow fabric. Filling with carbon dioxide occurs in 5-7 seconds. To inflate the vest with the mouth, there are two tubes with mouthpieces and valves. The vest has signal equipment - a signal lamp powered by a battery with a water-filled element, and a signal whistle for signaling in the dark and fog. To put the battery cell into action, it is necessary to pull out the plugs in the water that close the holes in the battery. No matter what state a person is in in the water, the vest keeps them face up. The vest allows, if necessary, to roll over on the chest and swim in any way. The ASZh-63P vest can support two people afloat. One person wearing a life jacket will be able to keep another person afloat without a life jacket.

Group watercraft include inflatable life rafts SP-12, PSN-10, PSN-v, designed respectively for 12, 10, 6 pers. The carrying capacity of the rafts SP-12, PSN-10, PSN-6, respectively, is 1300, 1400, 1000 kg. The weight of the rafts SP-12, PSP-10, PSN-6, equipped with equipment, is 65, 70.47 kg, respectively. Life rafts are made of two- and three-layer diagonally doubled rubberized orange and yellow fabric. The rules for bringing the rafts into working position and using them are marked on the outer shell of the raft and inside the raft on the canopy, as well as in special instructions. At present, the LAS-5M-2 boat is being replaced everywhere by inflatable rafts with an awning.

POSITIONING OF SURVEILL EQUIPMENT ON AIRCRAFT WHEN FLIGHTING OVER WATER

In accordance with domestic and foreign practice in the development and use of aviation rescue equipment, civil aviation aircraft, when flying over water, have life jackets for each passenger and crew member on board the aircraft, located in such a way that each passenger and crew member can easily get him out of his place. Typically, aviation life jackets are placed under the seats of passenger seats and near the workplaces of crew members, including flight attendants.

All aircraft when flying over water at a great distance from the coast, in addition to life jackets or equivalent devices, have on board life rafts in a quantity sufficient to accommodate all persons on board the aircraft. Liferafts are positioned so as to provide easy access to them in case of an accident.

The rafts have life-saving equipment (power supplies and equipment for pyrotechnic distress signals: rockets, day and night squibs, etc.).

In addition to rafts, on board aircraft when flying at a great distance from the coast, there are radio transmitters that are impervious to water, non-sinking and easy to use outside the aircraft by persons who do not have skills. Life rafts and life jackets are equipped with electric lighting,

to make it easier to find the victims of the accident. The rafts and emergency radio transmitters are placed near the exits and emergency hatches of the aircraft in the attachment points, placed in special compartments occupying the top of the lobbies and passenger compartments, or compartments located in the wing.

A sleeve, a gut, a trunk - as soon as they don’t call this device for boarding passengers on an airplane! In fact, it is called a telescopic ladder, or simply: a telescopic ladder. When they appeared, how they differ, what are their advantages and disadvantages, and what will replace them in the future, we will tell in our "educational program" of several parts.

Let's talk about history today. At the dawn of aviation, there were no ladders at all: the planes were then small and you could get into them directly from the ground, like in a carriage or car, leaning on the bandwagon as much as possible.

In the early days of aviation, passengers boarded aircraft from the ground

The idea has survived to this day, and, for example, in most business jets, a small ladder-ladder is built right into the fuselage or into the door. There are also built-in ladders on airplanes for ordinary people, and not only developed half a century ago (such as the Yak-40), but also on fairly modern ones like the Bombardier CRJ or An-148 (and even some), in which the fuselage is located at a short distance from the ground .

Bombardier CRJ-100 with ladder built into the door

Later, higher planes appeared, in which you can’t hide the ladder (and it’s not safe to climb it), and then mobile ladders came into play: they can be. As a rule, they regulate the height of the upper platform for various types of aircraft, but, of course, within certain limits. For some types, it was necessary to develop special ladders and equip them with all the airports where they flew, or invent unique solutions. For example, this was the case with the extremely tall Tu-114, which used a system of an airfield ladder and a built-in ladder leading from its upper platform directly to the aircraft.

This is how you could get into the Tu-114 when there was no special ladder for it

Special high ladder for a high plane

When Khrushchev flew to New York on the Tu-114, it turned out that even the sliding ladder for him was too small.

Mobile ladders can be a little more comfortable - for example, have a roof and even a built-in escalator. Remember how the king of Saudi Arabia, who still stopped during his arrival in Moscow? Such ladders, by the way, were still in the USSR. In the late 1970s, two prototypes were made in Riga and sent for testing at Vnukovo Airport.

The king of Saudi Arabia carries with him an escalator ladder that reaches the upper deck of a Boeing 747. Photo: Vedomosti

The ladder-escalator was made in the form of a trailer for the ZIL-130 truck, three ordinary steps led to the escalator itself. They say that Brezhnev (namely, the miraculous ladders were intended for him and the members of the Politburo) did not like this, so the experimental ladders remained experimental.

Soviet gangway escalator

However, landing through an ordinary gangway is still not very comfortable - you have to go up and down with suitcases, and if it rains, and if it snows and winds? And even before the gangway you need to walk from the terminal or take a bus - the urgency of the problem was understood even in the post-war period. In 1952, Whiting's Loadair system began operating in Colombia: grooves were made on the platform, rails were laid in them, and bogies were installed on the rails. The plane taxied into these carts, after which it began to go sideways along the rails, approaching the terminal ramp. Further, walkways were thrown from the ramp to the plane, and passengers were already walking along them and carts with goods were driving - just like in modern warehouses, to which trucks and railway cars roll up. The solution allowed to significantly reduce the aircraft turnaround time by 50%.

In 1955, a similar Loadair system was launched in New York at the 4th gate of American Airlines at Idlewild Airport (now JFK), here the plane drove sideways for 27 meters for a minute under a small canopy, which in the future was also paid to be equipped with refueling hoses, oil tanks and a ground power source were located nearby. Alas, all this economy worked for only a year, having served about 1,500 flights: during the operation, many shortcomings were revealed. Firstly, separate flights had to be laid for each type (the test system only supported Douglas DC-7). Secondly, in winter, the grooves were clogged with snow and ice (the problem was solved by installing a heating system, but why?), thirdly, due to jamming and non-synchronous movement of all bogies, there were cases of damage to the chassis.

In general, if you do not drag the plane to the passenger, then the passengers must be dragged to the plane. In the 1950s, several “mobile waiting rooms” appeared at once, that is, buses from which you could get directly to the plane. That is, at first the passengers entered the bus installed at the terminal and sat quietly in it, and then he went to the plane, docked and let the passengers out.

Trepel Lift Lounge was widely used in the 1980s

Trepel Lift Lounge in Pick Up Mode

Salon Trepel Lift Lounge

Now such structures are used mainly in ambulifts for boarding disabled people.

Trepel VIP Lounge - VIP lounge on wheels

An earlier version of Trepel VIP Lounge for the USSR, where this car is now is unknown

The first such machines simply had a built-in transitional ladder; in later ones, the entire interior could rise relative to the chassis. Until the end of the 1980s, this idea was quite common, even Aeroflot purchased a mobile VIP-Lounge from the German company Trepel. Until now, "lounges on wheels" operate at Washington Airport (IAD), however, without ladders, but for movement between parts of the terminal, and may still remain in Montreal (YUL).

And in the mid-1980s, the famous Ikarus spawned concept buses: among them were not only airfield, but also urban ones! That is, a passenger could board the bus right at the hotel, put their luggage in a special compartment and, having gone to the airport, drive straight to the plane and go into it, and the luggage at that moment would be loaded on board along the conveyor.

It would seem that Ikarus is like Ikarus. But no…

In fact, part of the bus is a gangway

And the same bus is carrying luggage! Well, in theory

The idea, however, did not take off due to difficulties with airport formalities: there was no online check-in for flights then, but there was already passport control and baggage screening.

This Ikarus did not go into the series ...

But this Neoplan N980 Galaxy Lounge worked from 1981 to 1994 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The two-story mobile waiting room is designed for 342 people (of which 150 seats)

Another system from the 50s was called the Aerobridge. It was developed by Lockheed and, in fact, was indeed the first telescopic ladder, but not in the modern sense. Aerobridge was a gallery on wheels that drove into the space between the aircraft and the terminal ramp. Then it stretched to the desired distance, and after landing, it folded again and left. It was tested at the Travis Air Force Base in 1956, the shortcomings were also quickly revealed: the “cart” had to be adjusted and then removed, fussing with it took too much time.

Ladder? Ladder. Telescopic? Telescopic.

In 1958, the first teleport in the modern sense appeared,.