Lumbar Load Variability in Dynamic Testing of Transport Category Aircraft Seat Cushions

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute2021PDFTech ReportDeWeese, Richard L.Moorcroft, David MTaylor, Amanda M.United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Office of Aerospace MedicineUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited StatesAircraft cabinsAnthropometryAviation safetyBest practicesCushioning materialsDummiesDynamic testsLoad transferSeatsSpinal columnUncertaintyDynamic loadsSeat CushionReplacement FoamLumbarDOT/FAA/AM-21/09FinalThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has standards and regulations in place that require aircraft seating systems protect occupants in the event of a crash. These standards require dynamic testing to substantiate the safety of seating systems. In a vertical impact, the seat bottom cushion plays a vital role in controlling the load transferred to the occupant's spine. Repeat testing has identified large test uncertainty.115