J.O. Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hope the sensors aren't too sensitive! Airbus to certify airbags in A320s Airbus has been granted special certification conditions from the US FAA to allow the airframer to certify inflatable airbags in the passenger restraint systems on A320 family aircraft. The company on 2 September asked the regulator to amend its A320 type certificate to allow the installation of AmSafe Aviation inflatable restraints for head injury protection (HIP) on passenger seats on the A319, A320 and A321. First created for the automobile industry, the aviation version of the restraint is designed to limit passenger forward motion in the event of an accident, "thus reducing the potential for head injury and head entrapment," says FAA, adding that the airbag is similar to the automobile system except that it is integrated into the passenger restraint system and inflates away from the seated passengers. Other aircraft with amended certification requirements for the seatbelts include the Boeing 777. Airframers traditionally meet HIP requirements in certain seats by requiring either a setback 35in from any bulkhead, front seat or "other rigid interior feature" or by placing padding in the collision area. While HIP is not required as part of the certification for the A320 series today, it will be included in new regulations set to go into effect on 27 October 2009, says FAA. To meet the amended certification requirements, FAA will require Airbus to show that the airbags "perform properly under foreseeable operating conditions" and will not become a hazard to other passengers or the aircraft. Of particular concern is that the airbags do not deploy inadvertently due to the effect of electronic noise or lightning on the sensors to trigger the pyrotechnic charge. Other considerations include the impacts of the belts on pregnant women and children held on a passenger's lap. Airbus says the special condition application is routine as there are no formal standards for the restraints. "Postings such as this are used simply to permit compliance with head strike protection requirements on bulkhead seats," says the company. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rattler Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Just imagine, if the FAA provides the certification, how long will it be before safety advocates insist that airlines install them? I wonder what the cost per seat would be for initial installation and then upkeep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeker Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Well that's pretty stupid - for years we've been yelling at passengers to "bend over and keep your head down" - now this will be a recipe for whiplash and severe head and neck trauma as you will be leaning into the airbag and when it inflates and you will be in the wrong position. Airbags can be safe but the best position is to be as far away from them as possible so that the bag is fully inflated before your body makes contact with it. "Lean back and keep your head up!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CD Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 What I find interesting is that the article seems to imply that this is something new... A number of operators around the world already have these restraint systems installed (including at least one, fairly large operator in Canada ) so I suppose that it is maybe new to the U.S., even althought they are certified for use there already? AmSafe Commercial Aviation Inflatable Restraint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deicer Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 When I popped into this thread, I mistakenly though it would be about sitting in a middle seat with your wife on one side and mother in law on the other Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeker Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 When I popped into this thread, I mistakenly though it would be about sitting in a middle seat with your wife on one side and mother in law on the other M-I-L = windbag, not airbag (not in my case of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 CD: Which aircraft do you folks have them in? Would you consider them worthwhile? Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homerun Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The J class pods on AC's 777, and 767's have an airbag incorporated into the lapbelt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CD Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 It isn't my company, but as I recall, certain configurations of both A319 and A320 aircraft have them installed in the first row of economy to address the configuration of having business class seats immediately in front. As the article indicates, the inflatable restraints are intended to address the head impact criteria (HIC) compliance issue where cabin furnishing installations may pose a head strike hazard and the aircraft certification basis contains dynamic seat performance standards. There is some fairly good information and background at the following links: Emerging Technology - Improvements in Aircraft Passenger Safety Policy statement on acceptable methods of compliance to § 25.562©(5) for front row passenger seats Simplified Procedure for Addressing the Head Injury Criteria of § 25.562 AC 25.562-1B Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems and Occupant Protection on Transport Airplanes 525.562 Emergency Landing Dynamic Conditions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conehead Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 ...certain configurations of both A319 and A320 aircraft have them installed in the first row of economy to address the configuration of having business class seats immediately in front. That is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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