Cabin Seating, Part 1, 16G & Dynamic Testing

All new aircraft certified since 1988 must conform to 16G seating that has been dynamically tested. What does this mean to you next completion, very little, however Head Impact Criteria or HIC does. You can find the criteria in the FAA, FAR’s in Sections 25.561 and 25.562. There are two separate tests that are conducted to determine the seat ability to withstand a 16G impact crash. The first test is a forward, directional sled test where a seat is placed on structural base in seat tracks and sent at an angle of incline at a rate of 44 feet per second and abruptly stopped. The load factor is at 16G’s, thus seats are referred to as 16G.

The second test utilizes a seated dummy in the seat for HIC testing. The dummy reacts to the restraint of the seat belt and shoulder harness. This demonstrates the head, arm and leg swing in a typical crash scenario. The HIC test is far more important when planning your floor plan configuration because cabinets, tables and bulkheads must be placed with enough room to allow to passengers clear obstacles is such extreme crash situations. With the dummy, deformation of the seat and structure can be measured as well. When planning you next floor plan, the completion center should fully understand the HIC requirements of your particular seat and airframe.

In addition to structural constraints are the burn certification requirements and tests. The covering and build-up itself must be flame proofed to meet the FAR’s 25.852 paragraphs A & C. Paragraph A includes the finish covering, in this case the fabric or leather used in seat upholstery. Paragraph C includes the flame proofed foam and glues used inside the cushions. Seats today from the manufacturers come with certification tags, but the actual TSO-127 must cover the finished, upholstered seat itself. So the upholstery shop itself must be compliant to fabricate 16G seats under the manufactures TSO. The OEM or completion center must provide flame proofed samples and built-up cushions for burn testing. It is important to track and log this information should you need to re-upholster or change a seat later in the life of your aircraft.