See AC 25.562-1B, "Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems and Occupant Protection on Transport Airplanes." (Amendment 25-72) FIGURE 88-2 HEAD STRIKE ZONE FOR § 25.785 Head Strike Zone
20.5 inch 35 inch arc arc CRP 18 inches ¡CRP Centerline 35 inch arc of Armrest Seat Axis Airplane Longitudinal Axis Centerline of Armrest Seat Axis ‚CRP Airplane Centerline Longitudinal Axis of Armrest 35 inch arc Centerline of Armrest 141
(9) Paragraph (d)(2). A flat surface within the 35-inch head strike arc, such as a table or partition, may be tested to the criteria of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J921 or the following criteria. Impact injury criteria is discussed in AC 21-22, Injury Criteria for Human Exposure to Impact. (Amendment 25-0)
(i) A 13-pound bowling ball may be used to simulate the head of a 170-pound person whose seat belt is fastened and is subjected to 9g. (Amendment 25-0)
(ii) The ball shall impact the surface with at least 2780-inch-pounds of energy.
(Amendment 25-0)
(iii) The attachments of the test article shall not fail completely. (Amendment 25-0)
(iv) No parts shall become loose or sharp projections be formed that would be hazardous to the passengers. (Amendment 25-0)
(v) The test article may deform locally. (Amendment 25-0)
(vi) The surface being tested should perform equal to or better than a previously approved surface. The intent of this comparative test method is to test similar items (e.g., a seatback that does not have a telephone with a seatback that has a telephone installed). This test method should not be used to compare a seatback to an armrest. (Amendment 25-0)
(10) Paragraph (d)(2). (Amendment 25-0)
(i) Some passenger seats are designed with armrests that pivot upward such that the armrest could protrude beyond the seatbacks resulting in a potentially hazardous condition to persons seated behind these seats. Armrests that are adequately delethalized or restricted such that they cannot protrude aft of either seatback in any position are acceptable. (Amendment 25-0)
(ii) Armrests that are offset can be within the headstrike path of an occupant to the rear. Armrests within the striking radius of the head that are:
(A) bounded on both sides of the armrest by the seat backs and are offset more than 2-inches from the armrests of the seat to the rear, or (B) forward of an additional (exposed) seat in the row behind it, such that the forward armrest is bounded on one side only are considered to be injurious objects. The head must be protected from these injurious objects by some additional means such as padding.
Armrests that are bounded only on one side and not offset from the armrest of the seat in the rear are not considered to be injurious objects. (Amendment 25-0)
(11) Paragraph (d)(2). The FAA issued policy memorandum 02-115-15, dated November 25, 2002, titled “New Policy with respect to compliance with § 25.785(d), Amendment 25-88, for certification of passenger seat armrests.” The policy in this
143 memorandum may be used for demonstrating compliance with § 25.785(c)(2), Amendment 25- 88, and is provided below. (Amendment 25-0)
(i) Armrests that might possibly be struck by persons seated behind (aft of) them are characterized as “bounded” or “unbounded.” Bounded armrests are defined as follows:
(A) An armrest that has a seatback on both sides, with the distance between the structure of the adjacent seatbacks no greater than five inches, or (B) An armrest that has a seatback on one side and the airplane sidewall panel or a wall that is part of an airplane furnishing (e.g., galley, closet, lavatory) on the other side with the distance between the structure of the seatback and the panel/wall no greater than five inches.
(ii) For purposes of this AC, the structure of the seatback is considered to be the parts of the seatback with load carrying capability. It does not include upholstery material or soft foam installed for occupant comfort. In some seat designs there is a metal frame in the seatback that forms the support structure to which the foam and upholstery are used to provide the shape of the seatback. When measuring the distance between the structure of the adjacent seatbacks of no greater than five inches, the measurement would be between these metal or composite supports structures.
(iii) Unbounded armrests are those that do not meet either definition above.
Additionally, seat places that are located aft of unbounded armrests may be characterized as either “exposed” or “non-exposed.” The non-exposed seat place is typically an aisle seat place,
i.e., located adjacent to a passenger aisle (refer to figure 88-3). The exposed seat place is typically located where the number of seats in the row forward is different from that of the seat row aft. For example, near Type III overwing exits, many airplanes have a double seat installed inboard of the exit with an empty space between the seat and the exit. The seat row aft of the double seat has a triple seat (refer to figure 88-4). In figure 88-4, seat place “A” is an exposed seat place that makes the outboard armrest of the double seat an unbounded exposed armrest.
(iv) The definitions above apply to all armrests in the airplane as applicable. The existing policy contained in this AC paragraphs 81b(5) and 81b(7) are still applicable to the armrests identified in the new policy below.
(A) Note: The policy below addresses armrests within the 35-inch head strike arc and surfaces 18-inches and greater above the floor. Armrests outside the 35-inch head strike arc and armrest surfaces less than 18-inches above the floor are acceptable as defined in this AC paragraphs 81b(5) and 81b(7).
(B) An armrest is acceptable by inspection if the armrests of two consecutive
(i.e., one aft of the other) seat assemblies (seats need not be of the same part number) are offset no greater 0.5-inch total, including design and production tolerances.
(C) Bounded armrests and non-exposed unbounded armrests are acceptable if:
(1) The armrests of two consecutive seat assemblies are offset greater than 0.5-inch but no greater than two (2)-inches total, including design, and production tolerances, and
(2) The breakover feature of the seatback(s) adjacent to the armrest in the forward seat assembly is (are) locked out.
(D) The seatback breakover feature may be locked out by any method that requires a tool to release the lock out provision. The lockout of the breakover feature must be effective for the seatback in the upright position used for taxi, takeoff, and landing. Seatbacks incorporating an energy absorbing feature to meet the HIC requirements of § 25.562 are considered to have the breakover lockout and are acceptable. Whatever the method of seatback breakover lock out, there typically is some movement of the seatback. This movement of the seatback is acceptable as long as when the seatback is moved to the worst case position by a small hand load applied to the top of the seatback, the armrest is still afforded protection by the seatback, with the end of the top of the armrest being forward of the aft side of the seatback.
(E) Bounded armrests and non-exposed unbounded armrests, where the offset is greater than two (2)-inches total, including design and production tolerances, need to be addressed as being injurious objects within the striking radius of the head, e.g., by padding the armrest.
(F) Exposed unbounded armrests; if the armrests of two consecutive seat assemblies that are offset by more than 0.5-inch total, including design and production tolerances, need to be addressed as being injurious objects within the striking radius of the head,
e.g., by padding the armrest.
(G) Armrests that are padded (using appropriate padding material as described in paragraph 81b(5) of this AC) must have the padding cover the length of the armrest that is encompassed by 35-inch and smaller head strike arcs. Bounded armrests, where the seatback(s) have the breakover feature locked out, need not be padded to encompass the entire 35-inch head strike arc because the seatbacks prevent the contact of the armrest on the forward side of the seatback(s). Therefore, these armrests need only be padded to the forward edge of the seatback(s) in their upright position achieved after the small hand force is applied to the seatback. Portions of the armrest surface that cannot be contacted by the head are not required to be padded, e.g., the lower (or under) surface of a curved armrest.
(H) As an alternative to the use of padding, surfaces within the striking radius of the head that translate out of the striking radius under a nominal (10 pound) load may be considered to provide adequate protection, e.g., armrests that have been pivoted upward, which pivot downward out of the head strike arc under the nominal load. During an evaluation of this feature, the load must be applied in a direction that approximates the motion of a seated and belted occupant in the seat aft of the armrest under crash conditions.
145 FIGURE 88-3 ARMREST OFFSET
FIGURE 88-4 NON-EXPOSED AND EXPOSED ARMREST
(12) Paragraph (e). Each berth installation should include a seat belt located approximately at the occupant's pelvis. For a berth installation with the feet facing forward, a bag, enclosing the legs to catch the upper torso when subjected to 9g, would be satisfactory in lieu of a padded end board. If the head is facing forward, a strap over each shoulder configuration would be satisfactory. If the berth is side facing, a padded side board or two belts, located approximately at the thighs and approximately at the chest, would be satisfactory.
(Amendment 25-0)
(13) Paragraph (f). In order to reduce the deceleration "g" forces on occupants, some forward facing seats are designed to collapse. Usually, the design incorporates collapsible front legs. Such is acceptable if the collapse does not occur until a minimum of 8g has been applied.
After the collapse has occurred, the ultimate load of 9g should be applied and maintained for the required three seconds. The activation of the energy absorbing feature should not result in occupant injury. Various dimensions, such as 35-inches to injurious object clearance, aisle width and clearance, and interference with exits, should be evaluated before and after activation of the energy absorbing feature. Required dimensional clearances, such as aisles, passageways, flight attendant assist spaces, exit opening envelopes, and clearance between seats and potentially injurious surfaces must be maintained after the energy-absorbing feature is activated. The final position of the seat should not trap occupants. When testing a seat to demonstrate compliance with the static requirements of § 25.561, the testing should be conducted with an occupant center of gravity (CG) location as defined in NAS 809 (referenced in Technical Standard Order (TSO) C39) and AS8049 (referenced in the current version of TSO-C127). This CG location should be utilized in any airplane interface load analysis conducted. (Amendment 25-0)
(14) Paragraph (f). Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C22 is applicable only to seat belts. Technical Standard Order C114 may be applicable to shoulder harnesses, or they may be approved as part of the airplane. Sled tests with anthropomorphic dummies have shown that shoulder harness loads for forward facing seats can vary between 40 percent and 60 percent of the total load. Therefore, it is acceptable to substantiate a shoulder harness load of 60 percent (Refer to AC 25.785-1A, “Flight Attendant Seat and Torso Restraint System Installations,” dated 1/6/94): 0.6x9gx170 lbs = 918 lbs. If the seat belt is not approved under TSO-C22 or later revision, it should be approved as part of the airplane. The seat belt should be substantiated for 100 percent of the occupant load: 9g x 170 lbs = 1530 lbs. This is necessary even if the shoulder harness is permanently attached to the seat belt, since it is usually possible to utilize the seat belt without using the shoulder harness. The l.33 fitting factor is applicable to these configurations.
(Amendment 25-0)
(15) Paragraph (f)(1)(i). A seat is normally approved to TSO-C39 or later revision.
This approval may not account for the critical load when occupied by less than maximum occupants, e.g., one or two occupants in a triple seat. In some seat designs, occupancy by less than the maximum could be a critical design load for a particular structural member. All possible combinations of seat place occupancy should be substantiated by test or analysis. The loads for underseat baggage restraint systems attached to the seat should be added to seat loads.
147 Refer to § 25.787 guidance for underseat baggage criteria. This can be done by the TSO manufacturer when doing the TSO substantiation or by the applicant who is installing the seat.
(Amendment 25-0)
(16) Paragraph (f)(3). The l.33 factor is only required to be applied to the stated attachments. This factor should be applied to both ends of each attachment, (i.e., the seat end and the airplane end) and the fitting. If the applicant wishes to test the entire seat and belt assembly to this l.33 factor, it is satisfactory. (Amendment 25-0)
(17) Paragraphs (g) and (h). The combined safety belt and shoulder harness should consist of a standard safety belt and a shoulder harness with a strap over each shoulder. The shoulder harness straps should be as close to the neck as possible and may join behind the neck or each strap may attach separately to structure. In the front, the shoulder harness straps should attach to the buckle or safety belt near the buckle. Some harness geometries have been found acceptable where the shoulder harness straps are attached to the seat belt attach fittings. Ideally, the buckle should be located near the center of the torso. The single point release should be one action in which both the safety belt and shoulder harness are released simultaneously. The means provided to secure each combined safety belt and harness should be designed so that the belt and harness strap material does not get repeatedly creased over a long period of wear.
(Amendment 25-51)
(18) Paragraphs (g) and (h). Refer to AC 25.785-lA, Flight Attendant Seat and Torso Restraint System Installations, dated 1/6/94, for additional acceptable means of compliance.
(Amendment 25-51)
(19) Paragraph (h). Flight attendant seats that are provided for the airplane configuration should be installed near the approved floor level emergency exits. This should not be interpreted as a requirement to install for a flight attendant seats at each floor level exit.
"Near" is defined in AC 25.785-1A. (Amendment 25-0)
(20) Paragraph (h)(1). The intent of the use of the word “adjacent” is to require the flight attendant seat to be closer to the exit than if the word “near” were used. Typically, the flight attendant seat should be located immediately forward or aft of the passageway to the exit.
Consideration for an alternative location may be given if the flight attendant seat is located such that the flight attendant will be able to reach the exit faster than any passenger seated in the vicinity of the exit. (Amendment 25-46)
(21) Paragraph (j). The seat back may serve as a firm hand hold. Since most seats are capable of breaking over, the breakover load must be adequate to be considered firm. A load of 25 lbs minimum, acting horizontally, is considered adequate when applied at the top center of the seat back. (Refer to paragraph 411b.(10) for maximum breakover force.) Very large seat pitches (in excess of 65-inches) may not permit the seatbacks to act as a handhold. This is due to both distance between the seatbacks and the capability of the seats to have very large amounts of recline. In this case, it may be necessary to install supplementary features to serve as handholds.
Seat mounted headrests that move relative to the seatback do not need to be assessed for their ability to provide a firm handhold, provided the seatback remains available for use as a
148 handhold, and meets the criteria identified above. Other interior features such as class dividers, closets and other monuments may also serve as acceptable handholds if they provide a surface for occupants to push against to steady themselves while moving about the cabin interior.
(Amendment 25-0)
89-100. [RESERVED]
149 SECTION 25.787 STOWAGE COMPARTMENTS
101. REGULATION IN EFFECT AT ADOPTION OF PART 25.
a. Regulation.
(a) Each cargo and baggage compartment must be designed for its placarded maximum weight and contents and for the critical load distributions at the appropriate maximum load factors corresponding to the specified flight and ground load conditions, except the emergency landing conditions of § 25.561.
(b) There must be a means to prevent the contents in the compartments from becoming a hazard by shifting, under the loads specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) There must be a means to protect the occupants from injury by the contents of any compartment, under the emergency landing conditions of § 25.561.
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a). Compartments placarded "No Stowage" need not have a weight limit placard. Compartments placarded "Emergency Equipment Only" need not have a weight limit placard provided the compartment is filled with designated emergency equipment that does not exceed the compartment's limit. (Refer to paragraphs 801b(1)(ii), 1041b(5) and 1101b(2).)
(Amendment 25-0)
(2) Paragraph (b). Baggage can be free if it can be shown that the forward barrier and cargo liner are able to restrain impact loads and the compartment is small enough to prevent significant shifts in center of gravity (c.g.). A 9g barrier net or other structure is required in all cargo versions if the cargo is not restrained to § 25.561 loads. In this case the cargo is restrained to flight and ground loads to prevent c.g. movement. If no 9g barrier net is used, the cargo is restrained to § 25.561 loads in an approved installation such as containers or pallets. (Refer to paragraph 1041b.(9).) (Amendment 25-0)
102. AMENDMENT 25-32, Effective May 1, 1972.
a. Regulation.
[(a) Each compartment for the stowage of cargo, baggage, carry-on articles, and equipment (such as life rafts), and any other stowage compartment must be designed for its placarded maximum weight of contents and for the critical load distribution at the appropriate maximum load factors corresponding to the specified flight and ground load conditions, and to the emergency landing conditions of § 25.561(b), except that the forces specified in the emergency landing conditions need not be
150 applied to compartments located below, or forward, of all occupants in the airplane.
If the airplane has a passenger seating configuration, excluding pilots seats, of 10 seats or more, each stowage compartment in the passenger cabin, except for underseat and overhead compartments for passenger convenience, must be completely enclosed.]
(b) There must be a means to prevent the contents in the compartments from becoming a hazard by shifting, under the loads specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
[(c) [Deleted.]]
b. Guidance. Paragraph (c) was deleted with the adoption of § 25.789.
(1) Paragraph (a). The intent for requiring completely enclosed stowage compartments is to provide more protection to occupants than that provided by restraint devices such as tiedown straps or webbing (with or without a curtain). A gap of 0.125-inch or less around the compartment door/drawer for operation of the compartment and manufacturing is acceptable.
These compartments are considered to be completely enclosed. (Amendment 25-32)
(2) Paragraph (a). Standard design criteria for underseat baggage restraint. (These criteria can be used for test or analysis purposes.) (Amendment 25-32)
(i) Forward restraint design criteria. (Amendment 25-32) (A) Load factor - 9g forward. (Amendment 25-32) (B) Basic baggage weight - 20 lbs per individual seat. (Amendment 25-32) (C) Bag dimension - 3 X 12 X 17-inches (assumed rigid). (Amendment 25-32) NOTE: These dimensions represent what is considered the most severe case and are not to be construed as the maximum baggage size which should be considered. The restraint device should be capable of restraining baggage of a size that can be stowed under the seat in the available space, but the weight need not be more than 20 lbs. (Amendment 25-32) (D) The bag surface upon which it rests should be assumed smooth so as to minimize any friction restraint. (Amendment 25-32) (E) The load (20 lbs X 9 g = 180 lbs) should be assumed applied through the bag with the seat mounted in its normal position. The 17 X 3-inch bag dimension should impinge on the restraint device unless the underseat dimensions are such that the test bag would protrude beyond the seat. In that case the 3 X 12-inch dimension should be used. (Amendment 25-32)
151 (F) The critical load conditions for the underseat baggage restraints should be identified and demonstrated. (Amendment 25-32) (G) The bottom of the restraint system should be no more than 2 1/2-inches above the floor level of the airplane. The top of the system should be no less than 3-inches above the floor level of the airplane. (Amendment 25-32)
(ii) Side restraining design criteria. (Amendment 25-32) (A) The underseat baggage side restraint system should be capable of restraining a 20-pound rigid article per seat with the dimensions of 3 X 12 X 17-inches at 1.5g of side loading. (20 lbs X 1.5 g = 30 lbs per article.) (Amendment 25-32) (B) The side restraint system should be capable of restraining the article at
1.5g sidewards with the 17-inch dimension oriented fore and aft in the airplane. (Amendment 25-
32) (C) If the restraint system allows application of a footload, the system should be capable of withstanding a 300 pound standing load, applied in the most critical mode, without degrading either the basic forward load carrying capability or the side load carrying capabilities noted above or resulting in deformation causing the system to pose a tripping hazard.
(Amendment 25-32) (D) The system should be capable of withstanding the most critical loading condition due to asymmetrical loading of the system. (Amendment 25-32) (E) The bottom of the restraint system should be no more than 2 1/2-inches above the floor level of the airplane. The top of the system should be no less than 3-inches above the floor level of the airplane. The restraint system should extend a minimum of 8.75- inches aft from the aft face of the forward restraint portion of the system. (Amendment 25-32) (F) The side restraint system should not present a tripping hazard either for ingress to the seat or egress to the aisle or to the evacuation route. (Amendment 25-32) (G) The restraint system should not protrude into the aisle or evacuation route farther than the seat armrest on the aisle side. (Amendment 25-32)
(3) Paragraph (a). If overhead stowage compartments are intended for carriage of baggage, other than articles of loose clothing, they must be provided with approved restraining devices or doors (§ 121.589 (b)). (Amendment 25-32)
(4) Paragraph (a). The wording “a passenger seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of 10 seats or more,” which was promulgated with the intent of being consistent with Amendment 23-10 to part 23, does not directly address seats intended for use by observers or flight attendants. Seats approved for use by observers or flight attendants are not included in the passenger seating configuration. Seats that have dual approval for occupancy by either
152 crew/observers or passengers will be included in the passenger seating configuration.
(Amendment 25-32)
(5) Paragraph (a). Compartments placarded "No Stowage" need not have a weight limit placard. Compartments placarded "Emergency Equipment Only" need not have a weight limit placard provided the compartment is filled with designated emergency equipment that does not exceed the compartment's limit. (Refer to paragraphs 801b(1)(ii), 1041b(5) and 1101b(2).)
(Amendment 25-0)
(6) Paragraph (b). Baggage can be free if it can be shown that the forward barrier and cargo liner are able to restrain impact loads and the compartment is small enough to prevent significant shifts in center of gravity (c.g.). A 9g barrier net or other structure is required in all cargo versions if the cargo is not restrained to § 25.561 loads. In this case the cargo is restrained to flight and ground loads to prevent c.g. movement. If no 9g barrier net is used, the cargo is restrained to § 25.561 loads in an approved installation such as containers or pallets. (Refer to paragraph 1041b.(8).) (Amendment 25-0)
103. AMENDMENT 25-38, Effective February 1, 1977.
a. Regulation.
(a) Each compartment for the stowage of cargo, baggage, carry-on articles, and equipment (such as life rafts), and any other stowage compartment must be designed for its placarded maximum weight of contents and for the critical load distribution at the appropriate maximum load factors corresponding to the specified flight and ground load conditions, and to the emergency landing conditions of § 25.561(b), except that the forces specified in the emergency landing conditions need not be applied to compartments located below, or forward, of all occupants in the airplane.
If the airplane has a passenger seating configuration, excluding pilots seats, of 10 seats or more, each stowage compartment in the passenger cabin, except for underseat and overhead compartments for passenger convenience, must be completely enclosed.
(b) There must be a means to prevent the contents in the compartments from becoming a hazard by shifting, under the loads specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
[(c) If cargo compartment lamps are installed, each lamp must be installed so as to prevent contact between lamp bulb and cargo.]
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a). The intent for requiring completely enclosed stowage compartments is to provide more protection to occupants than that provided by restraint devices such as tiedown straps or webbing (with or without a curtain). A gap of 0.125-inch or less around the