A Guide to Aviation Ladders

Providing ease of access to various parts of an aircraft, step ladders assist individuals into, and around, aircraft. Used by engineers, pilots, crew members, and passengers alike, there are a variety of ladders available for use within the aviation industry. To best meet your requirements, aircraft ladders can be manufactured specifically as height adjustable ladders, maintenance ladders, mobile stepladders, and boarding steps. Each unique in their own applications, ladders utilized within the aviation industry must promote stability while meeting specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for the prevention of falls. To ensure you find a ladder relevant to your needs, we will briefly review different types of aviation ladders used throughout the industry.

Aircraft Boarding Steps

Primarily utilized by private businesses and military aircraft, some planes require aircraft boarding steps to safely go aboard the vehicle. Used by the pilot(s), crew, and any accompanying passengers, boarding steps are regularly built to a specific plane’s model and brand.

Aircraft Maintenance Ladder

Specialized ladders made to aid construction and maintenance crew members when performing mandatory procedures, repairs, and other tasks, aircraft maintenance ladders should always be easily accessible wherever aircraft are present. Often coming in tandem with prebuilt toolboxes, particular tool interfacing, and integrated lighting, maintenance ladders employed for aircraft settings should emphasize safety while optimizing efficiency. For additional benefits to minimize traversing up and down a ladder, the inclusion of tool interfacing to certain maintenance ladders can remove tripping hazards imposed by extension cords and cabling.

Height Adjustable Ladder

Regularly applied as an add-on for stationary components or individual mobile platforms, height adjustable ladders provide adaptability for an array of stationary aircraft operations. With the potential to function as its own mobile platform, height adjustable ladders are useful for leveraging their altitude when tasks require long hours of standing or frequent movement. Adjustable to provide leverage wherever needed around an aircraft, ladders of this caliber routinely come included with bumpers and additional safety features to secure the user, and aircraft, from harm.

Mobile Stepladders

Also referred to as rolling or portable ladders, mobile step ladders eliminate the need for readjusting an aircraft whenever a specific part of the vehicle requires access. Allowing crew members to navigate ladders where needed, mobile ladders are regularly equipped with rolling wheels and height adjustment mechanisms for convenience. Useful for all aircraft types, mobile step ladders are also reliable across any industry, serving as a working platform that is quick and convenient for anyone to move.

Subjected to a requisite of rigorous testing upon construction, it is mandatory that any ladder meets or exceeds all quality assurance requirements and recommendations. Especially in the case of heavy-duty ladders and adjustable platforms, bulky equipment of this variety can severely injure individuals standing on or within proximity of the ladder if damaged or accidently tipped over. To protect ladders against damage and weathering effects, they should be stored in covered areas where they can be properly supported and stored while not in use. Never use a ladder with missing or broken steps, rungs, safety feet, side rails, and other potentially hazardous defects. Before use, any individual in possession of a ladder should inspect its surfaces for traces of oil, grease, or other slippery materials which promote unstable grounding. It is critical to stress that frequent cleaning of ladder surfaces can dramatically improve one's safety when in use.

At ASAP Axis, we make it our goal to provide you with parts ASAP. Understanding that certain equipment is needed to accommodate individual aircraft size and workspace parameters, we invite you to browse our inventory for numerous ladders ready for application. Whether your working area requires an access ladder, vehicle belt ladder, stair handrails, strut airstrairs parts, or other such equipment, ASAP Axis is here to streamline and expedite any one of your orders for immediate procurement. Due to our quality control and export compliance, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation, alongside our NO CHINA sourcing pledge. If you would like to request a quote for your comparisons, you can submit an RFQ form as provided on our website. Upon receipt, a dedicated account manager will quickly review and respond with a personalized solution to your needs in just 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365.