The Development of Dynamic Performance Standards for General Aviation Aircraft Seats

Aircraft seats have traditionally been designed to comply with static strength requirements. Dynamic performance standards that address both seat strength and the occupant impact protection characteristics of the seat have recently been defined for general aviation aircraft. These new dynamic performance standards have been forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration with a recommendation that they become incorporated into Part 23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The development of those standards, which was based on a comprehensive analysis of full-scale aircraft impact tests, general aviation aircraft accident data analysis and a dynamic test program of general aviation seats, is reviewed.