Aircraft Seating Aircraft Seating SystemsSystems

Current Issues & Current Issues & TrendsTrends

Frank Heming, Ph.D.Frank Heming, Ph.D.Chief Engineer - Certification Chief Engineer - Certification

AMI Aircraft Seating SystemsAMI Aircraft Seating Systems

February 17, 2000February 17, 2000

Presentation Presentation OverviewOverview

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT Committee

ARAC Seat Harmonization ARAC Seat Harmonization

Working Group (SHWG) Working Group (SHWG)

Dynamically Certified Dynamically Certified

SeatsSeats

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeCharterCharter

SCOPESCOPE:: Address issues related to the Address issues related to the design and performance design and performance

of aircraft of aircraft seating systems. seating systems.

MembershipMembership:: 34 Members / 7 34 Members / 7 Alternates / Alternates / 4 4 Liaison / 88 Mailing ListLiaison / 88 Mailing List

OrganizationOrganization:: Parent Committee & Parent Committee & Working Working Groups Groups

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeWorking GroupsWorking Groups

Restraint SystemsRestraint Systems Component HIC TestingComponent HIC Testing

Component Component Replacement/Modification Replacement/Modification

Side Facing SeatsSide Facing Seats

MethodsMethods

DefinitionsDefinitions Abuse/Assist Loads Abuse/Assist Loads

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeRestraint SystemsRestraint Systems

AS8043A : AS8043A : Restraint Systems for Civil Restraint Systems for Civil AircraftAircraft• Complete Update of of DocumentComplete Update of of Document• Adding Push Button BucklesAdding Push Button Buckles• Lift Lever Buckle Release Angle Lift Lever Buckle Release Angle • Rotary Buckle Release Angle Rotary Buckle Release Angle

ARP 5585ARP 5585 (Draft):(Draft): Re-webbing of Restraint Re-webbing of Restraint Systems by Non-OEMsSystems by Non-OEMs

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeComponent HIC TestingComponent HIC Testing

Develop and validate a component HIC Develop and validate a component HIC

tester tester

Use the HIC tester to substantiate Use the HIC tester to substantiate

changes to a dynamically certified seatchanges to a dynamically certified seat

Primary work effort at Wichita State Primary work effort at Wichita State

UniversityUniversity

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeComponent Component

Replacement/ModificationReplacement/Modification

ARP (Draft):ARP (Draft): Modification or Modification or Replacement Replacement of of Components on Dynamically Components on Dynamically Certified Seat Systems Certified Seat Systems• Outlines the engineering evaluation Outlines the engineering evaluation

appropriate for making appropriate for making minorminor changes to the changes to the seat systemseat system

• Defines Primary & Secondary ComponentsDefines Primary & Secondary Components• Restraints and cushions are priority itemsRestraints and cushions are priority items

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeSide Facing SeatsSide Facing Seats

AS8049/1: AS8049/1: Performance Standard for Performance Standard for Side - Side - Facing Facing Seats in Civil AircraftSeats in Civil Aircraft• Develop criteria for level of safety Develop criteria for level of safety

equivalent to forward/aft facing seatsequivalent to forward/aft facing seats• 3-point restraint system (shoulder 3-point restraint system (shoulder

restraint over leading shoulder)restraint over leading shoulder)• Added TTI and pelvic acceleration criteriaAdded TTI and pelvic acceleration criteria• Neck load criteria being evaluatedNeck load criteria being evaluated

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeMethodsMethods

ARP (Draft) : ARP (Draft) : Photometric Analysis Photometric Analysis Procedures for Procedures for

Impact TestingImpact Testing• Defines the test set up requirements, Defines the test set up requirements,

analysis procedures and documentation for analysis procedures and documentation for impact tests requiring photometric analysisimpact tests requiring photometric analysis

Worst Case AnalysisWorst Case Analysis (On Hold) (On Hold) Certification by Analysis MethodsCertification by Analysis Methods (On (On

Hold)Hold)

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeDefinitionsDefinitions

ARP (Draft) : ARP (Draft) : DefinitionsDefinitions• Provides definitions and criteria for Provides definitions and criteria for

commonly used terms relative to commonly used terms relative to aircraft seat systemsaircraft seat systems

• Examples:Examples:– Seatback Handhold in TurbulenceSeatback Handhold in Turbulence– Life Vest/Lifejacket RetrievalLife Vest/Lifejacket Retrieval– Tray Table Latch RetentionTray Table Latch Retention– Sharp EdgesSharp Edges

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeAbuse/Assist LoadsAbuse/Assist Loads

ARP 5475 : ARP 5475 : Abuse Load Testing for In-Abuse Load Testing for In-Seat Seat Deployable Deployable Video SystemsVideo Systems• Provides guidelines for abuse load testing Provides guidelines for abuse load testing

of a deployable Individual Video System of a deployable Individual Video System (IVS)(IVS)

• IVS includes all components from the IVS includes all components from the monitor to the seat interfacemonitor to the seat interface

• Defines static test procedures and Defines static test procedures and performance criteriaperformance criteria

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeUpcoming MeetingsUpcoming Meetings

May 23 - 25: Orlando, FloridaMay 23 - 25: Orlando, Florida

September: Montreal, CanadaSeptember: Montreal, Canada

SAE SEAT CommitteeSAE SEAT CommitteeContactsContacts

Chair: Frank HemingChair: Frank Heming//AMIAMI Aircraft SeatingAircraft Seating Systems/ Systems/

719-638-2179/frankh@amiind.com719-638-2179/frankh@amiind.com

Vice-Chair: Phil HollandVice-Chair: Phil Holland//Millennium Concepts/ Millennium Concepts/ 316-821-9300/ 316-821-9300/

pholland@millenniumconceptsinc.compholland@millenniumconceptsinc.com

Secretary: Lindsay ZollingerSecretary: Lindsay Zollinger//Exponent/Exponent/

623-582-6949 / 623-582-6949 / lzollinger@exponent.comlzollinger@exponent.com

SAE Staff: Elizabeth DemoratzSAE Staff: Elizabeth Demoratz 724-776-4841, 724-776-4841,

x7292/elizd@sae.orgx7292/elizd@sae.org

ARACARACSeat Harmonization Seat Harmonization

Working GroupWorking Group

TASK 1:TASK 1: FAR/JAR 25.562 Test Article FAR/JAR 25.562 Test Article Selection Selection Process and Pass/Fail Process and Pass/Fail Criteria for PAX Criteria for PAX Seats Seats

Task 2:Task 2: Seat Belts for In-Flight Only Seats Seat Belts for In-Flight Only Seats

Task 3:Task 3: FAR/JAR 25.785 Occupant FAR/JAR 25.785 Occupant

Protection for Protection for PAX Seats PAX Seats

ARAC SHWGARAC SHWGTask 1: Test Article Task 1: Test Article Selection ProcessSelection Process

Objective:Objective: Simplify & standardize the test Simplify & standardize the test article article selection process for PAX selection process for PAX seatsseats

Approach:Approach: Develop a decision process to Develop a decision process to select select test seats based on a test seats based on a simplified simplified critical case critical case analysisanalysis

Key Concepts:Key Concepts:• Definition of Family of SeatsDefinition of Family of Seats• Test Article Selection for Baseline TestsTest Article Selection for Baseline Tests• Structural Pass/Fail CriteriaStructural Pass/Fail Criteria

ARAC SHWGARAC SHWGTask 2: Seat Belts for In-Task 2: Seat Belts for In-

Flight Only SeatsFlight Only Seats

Objective:Objective: Clarify the need for restraints, Clarify the need for restraints, in the in the form of seat belts, form of seat belts, for in-flight use for in-flight use only seatsonly seats

Key Concepts:Key Concepts:• Lap restraints must be availableLap restraints must be available• Seat must have back supportSeat must have back support• Seat and restraint must meet in-flight loads and Seat and restraint must meet in-flight loads and

flammability requirementsflammability requirements• No retrofit requiredNo retrofit required

ARAC SHWGARAC SHWGTask 3: Occupant Task 3: Occupant

ProtectionProtection

Objective:Objective: Provide harmonized guidance Provide harmonized guidance on on occupant protection occupant protection for PAX seats for PAX seats under under FAR/JAR 25.785FAR/JAR 25.785• General Design PracticesGeneral Design Practices• In-arm Video CertificationIn-arm Video Certification• Seat Back Mounted Accessory CertificationSeat Back Mounted Accessory Certification

Approach:Approach:• Pre- and Post-Amendment 25-64 AircraftPre- and Post-Amendment 25-64 Aircraft• Two Injury Mechanisms: Blunt Trauma & Sharp Two Injury Mechanisms: Blunt Trauma & Sharp

EdgesEdges

Dynamically Certified Dynamically Certified SeatsSeats

16g Seat Design16g Seat Design Static Requirements

• 14 CFR 25.561 Loads & Flight/Ground Loads

Flammability RequirementsFlammability Requirements• 14 CFR 25.853 (b) & (c)

Dynamic RequirementsDynamic Requirements• 14G & 16G Tests• Structural & Occupant Injury Evaluated

Seat Seat SystemSystem Evaluated Evaluated• Seat, Restraint, Cushions and Occupant

Dynamically Certified Dynamically Certified SeatsSeats

TSO-C127a & 14 CFR TSO-C127a & 14 CFR 25.56225.562

TSO-C127a specifies that compliance TSO-C127a specifies that compliance with with HIC, femur loads and permanent HIC, femur loads and permanent deformation limits are not required for deformation limits are not required for TSO approval, TSO approval, but must be collected but must be collected and provided to the installer.and provided to the installer.

A TSO-C127a approved seat plus the A TSO-C127a approved seat plus the installation data for HIC, femur loads installation data for HIC, femur loads and permanent deformations is used and permanent deformations is used for installation approval to 14 CFR for installation approval to 14 CFR 25.562.25.562.

Dynamically Certified Dynamically Certified SeatsSeats

Issues & TrendsIssues & Trends

Seat System Approach Complicates ChangesSeat System Approach Complicates Changes Minor Change Impacts on TSO Minor Change Impacts on TSO andand Installation Installation

Approvals Must be SubstantiatedApprovals Must be Substantiated Old Ways of Doing Business at Completion Old Ways of Doing Business at Completion

Centers and Overhaul Shops No Longer ValidCenters and Overhaul Shops No Longer Valid Industry Groups Working to Simplify, Clarify Industry Groups Working to Simplify, Clarify

and Better Define the Certification Processand Better Define the Certification Process FAA Instituting Partnership for Safety Plans to FAA Instituting Partnership for Safety Plans to

Clarify Roles and ResponsibilitiesClarify Roles and Responsibilities

Closing CommentsClosing Comments

Seat Certification Continues to be Costly Seat Certification Continues to be Costly Complicated and Time ConsumingComplicated and Time Consuming

Changes to Dynamically Certified Seats Changes to Dynamically Certified Seats Require More Attention and Require More Attention and SubstantiationSubstantiation

Industry and the Authorities Working to Industry and the Authorities Working to Simplify and Clarify the ProcessSimplify and Clarify the Process

Increased Understanding by All Groups Increased Understanding by All Groups Involved Is Needed to Overcome InertiaInvolved Is Needed to Overcome Inertia