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Boeing is advancing with the development of the VC-25B, known as the new Air Force One for the President of the United States. The company has proposed special conditions for the Boeing 747-8, which includes an unusual design feature. According to a document by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), set to be published on November 29, two modified 747-8 aircraft will have stairs installed for flight crew access to forward and aft lower lobe compartments during flight. These compartments will serve as storage for service items and a Class C cargo compartment.
The FAA noted that current airworthiness regulations lack adequate safety standards for this feature. Thus, they propose additional safety standards to match existing airworthiness levels. Stakeholders will be invited to comment on these conditions until January 13, 2025.
Boeing applied for a supplemental type certificate (STC) on July 2, 2018, to install these stairs in the 747-8 aircraft. The modified model is described as having a VIP interior configuration with seating for 93 passengers and 15 flight crew members and a maximum takeoff weight of nearly one million pounds.
