Report of the SAE A-9 Act Hoc Committee on Flotation Platforms

This paper documents the activities, meetings, and conclusions of the SAE S-9 Ad Hoc Committee on Flotation Platforms from its formation in late 1986 through the submittal of this paper to the S-9 Cabin Safety Committee.

The Ad Hoc Committee was charged with the development of an Aerospace Information Report (AIR) on the integration of the flotation platform concept into a redefined commercial airline overwater safety environment. This paper is offered in lieu of the AIR as the product of the Ad Hoc Committee. Its intent is to summarize the significant issues, points of view, and concerns surrounding the flotation platform concept, and its application in redefining commercial airline overwater safety equipment requirements.

An Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP No. 1830) defining flotation platforms has previously been drafted by the S-9 Committee, but is being held pending the AIR that would define the use of such equipment.