As an auxiliary tool, wheelchair is no stranger to our daily life. In civil aviation transportation, wheelchair passengers include not only disabled passengers who need to use wheelchairs, but also all types of passengers who require wheelchair assistance, such as sick passengers and the elderly.
01.
Which passengers can bring electric wheelchairs?
Passengers with limited mobility due to disability, health or age reasons or temporary mobility problems may travel with an electric wheelchair or electric mobility aid, subject to the airline’s approval.
02.
What types of electric wheelchairs are there?
According to the different installed batteries, it can be divided into three categories:
(1) Electric wheelchair/walker driven by lithium battery
(2) Wheelchairs/walkers powered by sealed wet batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries or dry batteries
(3) Wheelchairs/walkers powered by non-sealed wet batteries
03.
What requirements do electric wheelchairs powered by lithium batteries meet?
(1) Prior arrangement:
The aircraft used by the carrier is different, and the number of passengers who need wheelchairs on each flight is also limited. For details, you should contact the relevant carrier to determine whether it can be accepted. In order to facilitate the processing and acceptance of wheelchairs, when passengers wish to bring their own wheelchairs with them during the voyage, they must notify all participating airlines in advance.
2) Remove or replace battery:
* Meet the test requirements of UN38.3 section;
*Must be protected against damage (put in a protective box);
*Transportation in the cabin.
3) Removed battery: no more than 300Wh.
(4) Carrying regulations for the quantity of spare batteries:
*A battery: no more than 300Wh;
*Two batteries: not exceeding 160Wh each.
(5) If the battery is detachable, the staff of the airline or agent should disassemble the battery and put it into the passenger cabin as hand luggage, and the wheelchair itself can be put into the cargo compartment as checked luggage and secured. If the battery cannot be disassembled, the staff of the airline or agent should first judge whether it can be checked according to the type of battery, and those that can be checked should be put into the cargo hold and fixed as required.
(6) For the transportation of all electric wheelchairs, the “Special Baggage Captain’s Notice” must be filled in as required.
04.
Dangers of Lithium Batteries
*Spontaneous violent reaction.
* Improper operation and other reasons may cause the lithium battery to react spontaneously, the temperature will rise, and then thermal runaway will cause combustion and explosion.
* Can generate enough heat to cause thermal runaway of adjacent lithium batteries, or ignite adjacent items.
*The Helen Fire Extinguisher can put out open flames, it cannot stop thermal runaway.
*When the lithium battery burns, it produces dangerous gas and a large amount of harmful dust, which affects the sight of the flight crew and endangers the health of the crew and passengers.
05.
Lithium battery powered electric wheelchair loading requirements
*Wheelchair too large cargo compartment
* Lithium battery is flammable in the cabin
*Electrodes must be insulated
*The battery can be removed as soon as it can be removed
*Notify the captain without trouble
06.
common problem
(1) How to judge the Wh of a lithium battery?
Wh rated energy=V nominal voltage*Ah rated capacity
Tips: If multiple voltage values are marked on the battery, such as output voltage, input voltage and rated voltage, the rated voltage should be taken.
(2) How can the battery effectively prevent short circuit?
* Completely enclosed in the battery box;
*Protect exposed electrodes or interfaces, such as using non-conductive caps, tape or other suitable means of insulation;
*The removed battery must be completely packed into an inner package made of non-conductive material (such as a plastic bag) and kept away from conductive items.
(3) How to ensure that the circuit is disconnected?
*Operate according to the manufacturer’s user guide or the passenger’s prompt;
*If there is a key, turn off the power, take off the key and let the passenger keep it;
*Remove the joystick assembly;
* Separate the power cord plug or connector as close to the battery as possible.
Safety is no small matter!
No matter how cumbersome and strict the regulations are, their purpose is to ensure flight safety and protect people’s lives and property.
Post time: Dec-13-2022