B.C. company pushes for more accessibility in floatplane industry

A B.C. seaplane company is encouraging other airlines to collaborate when it comes to making service more accessible to people with mobility issues, and it is leading the way by adopting an innovative, locally-made lift meant to be used on floatplane docks.

That is something Alysone Martel says helped create a memorable experience for her son Griffin, who relies on a wheelchair and is graduating from the Canucks Place Children’s Hospice.

To celebrate the occasion, Martel says they chose a scenic floatplane tour for Griffin, who has required care his entire life.

“[Canuck Place] let us know they were shocked to find out one of the companies they reached out to refused to consider taking us on this flight,” she told CityNews. “So they reached out to Seair and there were absolutely no problems.”

Martel says Seair was more than accommodating.

“When we arrived, they had the equipment to load our son up onto the seaplane from the dock — and it was an extremely windy day. Even with the rocking of the dock and the plane, that wasn’t a problem,” she explained.

A floatplane passenger with mobility issues disembarks an aircraft with the help of the special Wright Lift. (Courtesy Aircraft Access Solutions)

She says the lift was light and easy to use, able to transfer Griffin to the aircraft smoothly and quickly.

“Everyone [had] big grins to be able to do this together as a family. It was just a treat.”

In a statement to CityNews, Canuck Place says it reached out to Seair after Harbour Air informed them “that they were unable to provide this outing due to federal safety protocol and Harbour Air’s regulatory requirement by Transport Canada.”

“Harbour Air kindly referred our team to Transport Canada’s regulatory rules … Canuck Place is following up with Transport Canada so we can understand more about regulations so we understand better for future requests from our children and families. We support our families in advocating for accessibility,” the statement adds.

Chloe Angus lost the use of her legs late in life, making coastal seaplane travel she was used to extremely challenging.

The Vancouver-based fashion designer describes a similar experience, finding Seair after she was denied a flight by Harbour Air — but it didn’t end there.

“Instead of being mad or disappointed, I decided to go and meet with them and to bring it to their attention, to create real relationships, for them to see me as a person and to understand what my needs are and to understand it’s not that hard,” said Angus, who adds the company’s CEO was very receptive.

“I’m really excited to see them making change today and being very open to collaborating with Seair. Once we get our carriers to unite, this is going to make such a difference for everyone. These solutions can be shared among carriers and companies.”

In an emailed statement, Harbour Air refers passengers with mobility challenges to its website, which includes photos of aircraft stairs, entrances, and ramps, as well as a video about the boarding process.

“If a passenger is unable to board the aircraft by themselves, we speak to each guest and look at their required assistance on a case by case basis prior to travel,” the company explains.

“As for available lift systems for additional assistance in the transportation industry, Harbour Air has reviewed some of the systems available. Since not all lift systems available for seaplane operations today meet the approved safety standards or are deemed suitable for the variety of aircraft types that we operate, we continue to engage in conversations with several manufacturers to adjust and design tools that would increase our ability to safely carry travellers with mobility challenges.”

Harbour Air has also changed the wording in the “Mobility” section of its website, no longer stating only ambulatory passengers who require minimal assistance will be able to board its flights.

‘Exciting time for change’

Angus believes it is time for all floatplane companies to be corporately responsible in providing universal solutions for all of their customers equally.

“Everybody seems very receptive and now we want to see accountability. It’s a really exciting time for change — we just need to push it and hold companies accountable,” she asserted.

“We need this incredible leadership from companies and their executives to make it a policy within their companies that they are going to come up with these solutions.”

Meanwhile, the president and owner of Seair Seaplanes says his goal is to get every floatplane operator on the coast to purchase the accessibility lifts.

Peter Clarke says his team helped develop the equipment, collaborating with the BC-based Aircraft Access Solutions, which builds the Wright Lift, specially designed for use on small, fixed-wing aircraft like Cessnas and small private jets like helicopters and float planes.

“We want passengers and welcome all of them,” Clarke said.

Seair says it has used the stationary lifts several times during operations and has received outstanding reviews and responses. It adds it is still developing a portable lift that can easily be carried in the plane.

“Our goal is to bring awareness to this option to allow more accessible seaplane travel for anyone who experiences mobility limitations.”

Angus says that is vital for people who rely on floatplane travel along B.C.’s coast.

“There are so many rural communities in B.C., so many Indigenous communities that rely on floatplane access, and there are many people who live with motion disability who really, really need this. Let’s see what these companies can do. Show us that this is going to move forward.”