Gippsland Aeronautics will be the launch customer for a seat-belt-mounted airbag crash survival system, to be fitted to each seat in all GA-8 Airvans.
Aviation restraint systems manufacturer Aviation of Phoenix, Arizona, developed the system to aid Gippsland in meeting the tighter crash survivability requirements now specified for compliance with the latest FAR 23 and JAR 25.562 regulations for a 16g certified interior.
Programme management director William Gehret says the system, which has sensors independent of aircraft power, is activated to deploy at 11g deceleration, and is certified to deflate within 10s to aid disembarkation of crash survivors. He adds that the system, which is visually similar to a standard seat belt, and is retrofittable to existing aircraft, is attracting attention from other manufacturers, aircraft owners and safety regulators. Gehret expects support from the insurance industry in the form of reduced premiums.
Source: Flight International
