Airports' Step-By-Step Construction Guide

Airports, once known as flying fields, have come a long way since their early days. The design of an airport is influenced by its elevation, with longer runways required at higher altitudes to achieve the necessary lift. The construction of runways is a complex process, requiring careful planning to ensure they can withstand the strain of aircraft without cracking or buckling. Beyond runways, airports also require safe and efficient infrastructure to facilitate passenger movement, such as boarding steps and security scanners. Boarding steps, for instance, are designed with safety features like handrails, while security scanners employ specific procedures to ensure thorough screening. The efficient management of airports also involves considerations such as police presence and lighting schemes to guide pilots during low-visibility conditions.

Steps are customisable to aircraft and airport needs

Steps are a crucial component of airport operations, facilitating the safe and efficient boarding and disembarkation of passengers and their hand luggage. To meet the diverse needs of aircraft and airports, steps are designed to be highly customisable.

At its core, the customisability of passenger steps lies in matching the specific requirements of different aircraft models, ranging from large regional planes to wide-body models and jumbo jets. This adaptability ensures that steps can accommodate the varying sizes and configurations of aircraft doors and entrances.

One customisation option available in the market is the chassis-mounted configuration. This option includes custom-built or truck-mounted steps, providing a sturdy and stable platform for passengers to embark and disembark. Chassis-mounted steps can be tailored to the unique dimensions and layouts of different aircraft, ensuring seamless integration during operations.

Towable steps offer another customisable solution. These steps can be easily moved and positioned to serve multiple aircraft or gates, catering to airports' dynamic needs. The towable design allows for flexibility in operations, especially when managing a diverse range of aircraft models or optimising gate utilisation.

Self-propelled steps are yet another customisable variant, offering enhanced manoeuvrability and independence in airport environments. These steps can efficiently reposition themselves without external assistance, streamlining passenger transfer activities and reducing reliance on additional ground support equipment.

Furthermore, steps can be customised with all-electric configurations, catering to airports' sustainability goals and reducing their environmental footprint. All-electric steps align with the aviation industry's growing focus on eco-friendly solutions, contributing to a more sustainable aviation ecosystem.

Steps are built into the main door of small airliners

Steps built into the main door of small airliners, also known as airstairs, are a common feature in most business aircraft, regional jets, and other small airliners. This design was popularized by the Fokker F-28 series and the VFW-Fokker 614. The stairs are built into the inside of the main passenger door and can be lowered to the outside. This design is efficient because the aircraft sits low to the ground, keeping the design simple and lightweight.

Airstairs eliminate the need for passengers to use a mobile stairway or jetway, providing more independence from ground services. Some of the earliest aircraft to feature airstairs were the Martin 2-0-2 and Martin 4-0-4, and some models of the Douglas DC-3 were also retrofitted with airstairs. However, as airport infrastructure has developed, the need for airstairs has decreased, as jetways or mobile stairways are now often available.

Wide-body aircraft rarely employ airstairs as their doors are significantly higher above the ground than narrow-body aircraft. Notable exceptions include the Lockheed L-1011, the only wide-body aircraft to feature full-height airstairs, and the Ilyushin Il-86, which has airstairs contained in the cargo hold. Some aircraft, like the Boeing 727 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9, were designed with passengers deplaning from the front to enable quicker turnarounds.

While built-in airstairs were once common, they have become less prevalent in recent years. Factors such as lack of use due to the availability of jet bridges at larger airports, weight savings, and reduced maintenance costs have contributed to their decline. However, some aircraft, particularly smaller regional jets, still feature built-in airstairs due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Steps are designed with safety in mind

When it comes to the steps built into the aircraft, the most common type is found in most business aircraft, regional jets, and small airliners. These steps are built into the inside of the main passenger door and are lowered to the outside. This design is efficient as it does not add complexity or weight to the aircraft. Some aircraft, like the Boeing 727 and McDonnell Douglas DC-9, were designed with passengers in mind, allowing them to deplane from the front while the aircraft is serviced from the rear, enabling quicker turnarounds. Airstairs are also used as a security measure, for example, on aircraft carrying important individuals such as the President of the United States. On-board folding airstairs are used on many U.S., foreign military, and government aircraft, and they can be installed at the forward, center, or aft doors. These steps can also serve as a safe means of parachuting from an airliner in an emergency.

At airports, ensuring the safety of passengers and their hand luggage is crucial for a positive experience and smooth airport operations. Boarding steps are designed with safety features such as handrails to allow passengers to board the aircraft safely. Different types of steps are used depending on the application. For example, passenger steps are designed for passengers, while service steps are for crew or cleaning staff, and maintenance steps are for service personnel who work on the aircraft. Each airport has its own requirements, and steps can be customized to meet these needs, with options such as self-propelled or towable steps.

The design of an airport itself also plays a crucial role in safety. Airports are constructed on flat landscapes, ensuring smooth and level surfaces for runways. The elevation of an airport impacts its design, as higher elevations require longer runways due to lower air density. Meteorological conditions are also considered, as airports near oceans experience different weather patterns than those inland or in mountains.

Additionally, airports have increased their on-site police forces since the September 11 attacks to enhance security and ensure the safety of passengers. These measures include additional security personnel and the use of scanning technologies for passenger screening.

Steps are built to accommodate the elevation of the airport

Steps are an essential component of airport ground support equipment, facilitating the safe and efficient movement of passengers and personnel in and out of aircraft. When it comes to the design and construction of airports, the elevation of the site plays a crucial role. Airports located at higher altitudes, such as those in mountainous regions, face the challenge of lower air density, which necessitates longer runways for aircraft to achieve sufficient lift during takeoff and landing.

The elevation of an airport directly impacts the design and length of runways. For example, Denver International Airport, situated 5,431 feet (1,655 meters) above sea level, required an extensive amount of concrete to construct its runways, taxiways, and aprons. The construction process involved several layers, including compacted soil, a soil layer, a cement-treated base, and concrete paving, ensuring a smooth and sturdy surface.

To accommodate the elevation of the airport, steps, and other ground support equipment must adhere to specific requirements and safety standards. Passenger steps, for instance, are designed with features like handrails to ensure safe boarding and deplaning. These steps can be self-propelled or towable, customizable to meet the needs of different aircraft and airports.

Additionally, the elevation and topography of the airport site may influence the placement and design of steps. Airports constructed on naturally flat terrain may have different considerations than those built on hilly or uneven land. The steps may need to be integrated into the landscape to provide a seamless transition from the gate to the aircraft, ensuring easy accessibility for passengers and their luggage.

Furthermore, the elevation and resulting weather patterns at the airport can impact the maintenance and durability of the steps. Airports located in high-altitude regions may experience more extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds or heavy snowfall, requiring regular inspections and maintenance of the steps to ensure they remain safe and functional. Overall, the construction of steps at airports is a complex process that takes into account various factors, including elevation, safety standards, aircraft specifications, and passenger flow, to ensure efficient and secure operations.

Steps are built to accommodate the size of the aircraft

Steps are an essential component of airport ground support equipment, facilitating the safe and efficient movement of passengers and personnel in and out of aircraft. When designing airport steps, one of the key considerations is accommodating the diverse sizes and types of aircraft that will utilize them.

The size of the aircraft is a critical factor in determining the appropriate design and configuration of the steps. Larger aircraft, such as wide-body jets, require steps that can cater to a more substantial passenger volume and their accompanying hand luggage. On the other hand, smaller aircraft, such as regional jets or business planes, may have different step requirements due to their compact size and lower height from the ground.

To accommodate the size of the aircraft, airport steps can be designed with various features and capabilities. For instance, steps can be customized to be self-propelled or towable, allowing for easy maneuverability and positioning during aircraft boarding and disembarkation. Additionally, steps can be chassis-mounted, either custom-built onto a truck or as a stand-alone unit, providing stability and convenience.

The height of the steps is also adjusted to match the aircraft's door height, ensuring a seamless connection between the steps and the aircraft entrance. This adjustment is particularly important for aircraft with built-in airstairs, such as the Fokker F-28 series or the Boeing 727, where the stairs are part of the main passenger door.

Furthermore, the size of the aircraft's cargo hold or belly lounge may dictate the design of the steps. For instance, some wide-body aircraft like the Ilyushin Il-86 have steps inside the cabin that lead to the airstairs in the cargo hold. Therefore, the steps must be designed to accommodate this internal configuration while providing safe access to the aircraft for passengers and crew.

Frequently asked questions