A Comparison of General Aviation Occupant Restraint Systems.
Abstract
An automatic activating airbag restraint system triggered by an impact force has been advocated for use in general aviation aircraft. The report reviews the results of some of the early deceleration test work conducted on an airbag system. Static and dynamic tests of an automotive system experimentally tailored to general aviation aircraft are described. Test results which show attenuation of the upper torso deceleration levels and compared with tests of conventional systems are discussed. Some results of deceleration tests of restraint systems utilizing shoulder harness are also presented. A comparison of these results with those of the airbag tests indicate a nearly identical level of protection excepting that the airbag prevents flailing of the occupants' arms, whereas the shoulder harness does not. Static tests showed that inadvertent operation of the experimental airbag system tested could interfere with operation of the aircraft. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0766024
Entities
People
- John Sommers Jr.