Worldwide Aircraft Services, from Missouri (US) developed and approved by the FAA a folding stair for ERJ 135 and ERJ 145 regional jets, manufactured by Embraer.
According to the company “the installation maintains the ‘side hinged’ jetway door and installs a folding stair and track system for stowage of the stair immediately aft of the existing jetway door for flight operations.”
The folding stair obtained its certification in January and can be installed in less than two weeks.
“This is a very straightforward installation that will provide operators with an easy-to-maintain modification that requires little maintenance,” said Jeff LaChance, chief design engineer for Worldwide Aircraft Services.
The folding stair can be easily deployed internally or externally by the flight crew.
The modification allows operators of the two Embraer jets greater flexibility as it eliminates the need for an airport-supplied staircase.
The ERJ family jets were originally equipped with a tilting main door, with a built-in stair. However, some US customers asked Embraer for planes with sliding doors as they would be used at airports with boarding bridges.
Currently, many ERJs have ended up being withdrawn from service by major US regional airlines and transferred to smaller companies that do not have such extensive airport infrastructure.
