Pictured Above: The Eagle 2 Lifter
Aircraft travel is now more accessible than ever - and we have Haymcomp’s Eagle 2 Lifter to thank for that.
First designed in the noughties, these hoists place passengers with reduced mobility into a sling attached to a portable frame which makes getting to their seat much easier.
As the perks of having these hoists become more obvious, the amount of airports that have adopted this service has increased. Most of the largest airports - like Heathrow and Gatwick - have Eagle 2 Lifters in their possession, and most passengers have found that travelling has become more efficient as a result.
Haymcomp have other aviation lifters available on their website which airport managers should be advised to look into. Haymcomp has been prided for the safety and efficiency of its devices, and the Eagle 2 has become the most widespread for good reason. The process is swift and effective, and involves only a couple of steps.
Pictured Above: The Eagle 2 Lifter in operation
First, a passenger will be attached to a sling which will cross under the legs to keep together the knees, which will wrap around their back. Moving into the aircraft’s entrance, their wheelchair’s wheels will connect with the Eagle 2 as a stability leg is introduced. The passenger will be lifted from the electric monitor, placing the wheelchair aside with the passenger safely secured.
Airport staff will guide the lifter through the vehicle and transfer the passenger from the lifter into their seat. The armrest will rise and the seat will recline, allowing the lifting flame to move the passenger into their seat. From there, their safe flight is able to begin!
All airports will ask for advanced notice before the use of an Eagle 2 Lifter, and the name and flight details of the person requesting to use it.
Some airports have yet to buy Eagle 2 Lifters, including ones where the demand would be high, like Cardiff and Liverpool. Sometimes this is because the planes travelling to and from the airport are too small to fit, but can also be because air staff are inexperienced with operating the lifters, or because the little-known piece of kit is unknown to many.
Pictured above: A passenger tries out the Eagle 2 Lifter.
An off-putting factor with accessible travel tools tends to be the common belief that this will make travel less comfortable, but the whole point of the Eagle 2 Lifter is to make travel as safe and transfer as fast as possible.
Another detraction that has been noted is the need to charge the lifter. The battery does hold up to 60 consecutive charges, though, so those airports using the device are advised to keep the battery on charge while the hoist is not in use.
With more archaic systems in place at some airports, those who can owe it to their passengers to install Eagle 2 Lifters to make travel that little bit easier.
For more information on the Eagle 2 Lifter, here are some useful articles:
Why all airports should have an Eagle 2 lifter for PRMs (airport-parking-shop.co.uk) - A guide to the airports which do and do not have Eagle 2 Lifters.
Edinburgh Airport Special Assistance - Travelling With A Disability - Simply Emma - A handy account of accessible aviation in Edinburgh.
Eagle lifting device for wheelchairs - Flying with a disability - Special assistance when flying with Air New Zealand - Plan | Air New Zealand UK - Some questions and answers about the Eagle 2 Lifter.
