A stretcher loading assembly including a support member operatively attachable to an aircraft floor, an elongate rail member attached to the support member, an elongate traverse beam movably attached to the rail member, and a trolley assembly movably attached to the traverse beam, the trolley assembly including lifting means movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting means adapted to support a stretcher in the raised position, wherein the support member is at least twice as wide as the rail member.
