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In this page you may find all the required information regarding wheelchair acceptance policy for different wheelchair types.

MANUAL POWERED

Manual Powered wheelchairs are accepted with NO restrictions only in the Front Cargo Hold separately from baggage/mail/cargo in order to avoid being damaged and tightened securely with restraint devices (straps‚ tie-downs)

POWERED BY SPILLABLE WET CELL BATTERIES

Blue Bird Airways.Powered by spillable wet cell batteries wheelchairs are NOT accepted under no circumstances by Blue Bird Airways.

POWERED BY “NON-SPILLABLE” GEL CELL BATTERIES

(which do not contain any free or unabsorbed liquid or comply with Special Provision)

If above criteria are met and the passenger has notified and received an approval by Blue Bird Airways‚ then BOTH the Mobility Aid WITH its battery are accepted in the Front Cargo Hold ONLY separately from baggage/mail/cargo (in order to avoid being damaged) and loaded under the following conditions:

 

  • tightened securely with restraint devices (straps‚ tie-downs)
  • the Mobility Aid’s batteries‚ electrical cabling and controls are protected a) From short circuits and b) Damage by the movement of baggage‚ mail and/or cargo.
  • even if the Battery is removable‚ it must remain to its dedicated position of the Mobility Aid but its terminals must be protected from short circuit and its electrical circuits isolated according to the manufacturer’s instructions
  • If its removed it should be removed by the user‚ if the mobility aid is specifically designed to allow it to be according to the manufacturer’s instructions

Furthermore:

  • the Pilot-in-Command must be notified on the location of the Mobility Aid with its battery as well as any spare Batteries

the passenger can carry a maximum of one more spare Battery (satisfying all/any above mentioned provisions) that must be carried again in the cargo hold as checked-in baggage‚ placed separately in a strong rigid package‚ and finally attach in both wheelchair and battery

POWERED BY LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

(which meet the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria‚ Part III‚ Sub. 38.3)

  • The passenger should have notified and received an approval from Blue Bird Airways.
  • The Mobility Aid is loaded as check-in baggage Front Cargo Hold ONLY separately from baggage/mail/cargo in order to avoid being damaged
  • The Mobility Aid is tightened securely with restraint devices (straps‚ tie-downs) ! The Mobility Aid’s electrical cabling and controls are protected from damage including the movement of baggage‚ mail and/or cargo.
  • The Battery is removed from the Mobility Aid and carried on board by the passenger
  • The Battery is protected from short circuit either according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by placing insulation tape to the battery terminals (if they are visible) and/or place the Battery alone in a plastic bag/protective pouch. ! A single Lithium Battery must not exceed 300Wh (watt-hours) OR in case they are two each Battery must not exceed 160Wh (watt-hours)
  • the passenger can carry a maximum of one more spare Battery (satisfying all/any above mentioned provisions) and must be carried again on board as explained above
  • The Pilot-in-Command must be notified on the location of the Mobility Aid in the cargo hold‚ the seat location of its removed battery as well as any possible spare Batteries
  • As Lithium Battery are considered a Dangerous Good (and if they are damaged or short circuited‚ will produce heavy smoke and can start a fire) they should be carried inside the cabin at a place that can be inspected at all times by the crew‚ either in the overhead bin or even better since the batteries are usually bulky under the passenger front seat‚ which is also the cooler part of the cabin so it can be visible and checked throughout the flight (and categorically NOT inside the cockpit) 

METHODOLOGY OF CALCULATING Wh (Watt Hours) of LITHIUM BATTERIES

Each battery has a power label on it that states it’s Voltage (V) and the Amp Hours (Ah). The Amp Hours can be stated either as Ah (Amp hours) or mAh (milliamp hours) and the appropriate conversion should be performed. The FORMULA to calculate the Watt Hours (Wh) is: (V)(Ah) OR (V)(mAh/1000)

 

EXAMPLE This Battery is accepted as it already states the Wh but if we calculate it is: 48V 5‚2Ah = 249‚6Wh