THE ADVANTAGES OF REARWARD-FACING SEATS DURING POST DECOMPRESSION EMERGENCY DESCENT OF MULTI MACH/HIGH ALTITUDE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT.

Abstract

During the post decompression emergency descent of Multi Mach/High Altitude Aircraft the occupants will be subjected to deceleration induced inertial loads in the direction of the flight path which will temporarily reach or exceed values of 0.5 G. Forward-facing passengers who have not been able to don the oxygen mask may lose consciousness for various periods of time and will assume positions which are unfavorable for the recovery from hypoxic stress. Aft-facing passengers - even if unconscious - would not lose contact with their seat and seatback and would assume a semisupine position by the combined effect of the aircraft's negative attitude angle and the decelerative load. Recent research suggests that the semisupine position is favorable for recovery from severe hypoxic exposures. A reassessment of the value of aft-facing versus forward-facing passenger seats for subject aircraft is suggested. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1969
Accession Number
AD0692508

Entities

People

  • Harold J. Von Beckh

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Consciousness
  • Deceleration
  • Decompression
  • Emergencies
  • Flight
  • Flight Paths
  • High Altitude
  • Oxygen Masks
  • Passenger Aircraft
  • Passengers
  • Recovery
  • Transport Aircraft

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Explosive Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers