A NEW APPROACH TO THE DESIGN OF ENERGY ABSORBING SEATS

This paper describes the results of a series of stat ic and dynamic tests of a new approach to the design of energy absorbing seats for civil aircraft. The development has been aimed at meeting the current FAA certification requirements for occupant protection as described in Part 23.562 and Part 25.562 of CFR 14. The static tests were carried out at the University of Oklahoma. The dynamic test program was carried out in the impact sled facility of the FAA’s Civil Aeromedical Research Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City. It showed that the FAA certification requirements can be met with a seat pan configuration that is relatively simple, light weight and inexpensive., and that the design approach can be applied to a wide variety of aircraft seat configurations. It also lends itself to the fabrication of retr ofit seats for aircraft certified to earlier and less stringent FAA requirements. The energy absorbing characteristics are provided entirely by the seat pan itself, which is formed from commercially available expanded metal or from similarly fabricated me tallic elements. The force attenuation characteristics of the seat pan may be combined with additional energy absorbing features of the seat structure to enhance the overall performance of the seat in emergency landing conditions.