MD80 tail exit
 

Could anyone explain the procedure of closing the tail exit (stairs) and how this exit is actually armed? I have been trying to observe when cabin crew has performed this action but never been able to see it entirely. It looks like a hatch is folded down, is that correct?

Hi,
Previous experience on the MD83... The tail stairs are hydraulic and closed by a manual lever on a/c left. The door opens internally, is closed by rotating the handle towards the right. The door is armed by placing the flap from the up position to the down position. (This reveals a perspex covered emergency lever. If you pull this lever the tail cone is jettisoned and the slide should inflate)... If it doesn't, a walkway drops from the ceiling when you raise the stairs. You have to run to the tail cone and pull the manual jettison handle, and then kick the slide bustle overboard to inflate it.

Hope this helps.

why do you want to know that?