The Bulkhead Air Bag System - Head Strike Protection for Passenger Aircraft

In 1988, United States and European airworthiness authorities adopted amendments to regulations for improved occupant protection. Included in the amendments are requirements for improved head strike protection for passengers seated behind interior structures. The Bulkhead Air Bag System has been developed to provide head strike protection in accordance with these requirements and to meet the airworthiness and installation requirements for transport-category aircraft. A fully functional developmental system has been demonstrated by means of dynamic impact tests using drop tower and deceleration sled dynamic impact test facilities. The system was also demonstrated on a full-scale eight-passenger aircraft crash test. In each test, the Bulkhead Air Bag System successfully demonstrated Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR)-compliant head strike protection, and is now in development for specific aircraft applications.