Electric Retractable Step Conversion

[takair]

Just noticed this is an older thread with some possible loose ends in the way of questions.  The pictures in the beginning were the prototype, the current installation looks a much different.  A couple of folks were asking about jamming due to ice or people stepping on a partially extended step.  The approved installation uses a spring to absorb any jams.  The spring may remain partially stretched in extreme cases, but is easily replaceable.  I have yet to run into this.  I had to demonstrate to the FAA that the loads of a larger than average person stepping on a partially extended step would not cause airframe damage or a broken actuator.  As an interesting side note, in actual testing, I could step on a partially deployed step and it won’t actually slide without bouncing up and down.  This is due to geometry of the mounting and the coefficient of friction.  Not that I recommend doing testing the scenario, but if you or your PAX step on an in transit step, there should be no problem.