The weight of interiors of aircraft is significantly increased by the weight of the seats. The problem is to develop a lightweight airplane seat without sacrificing comfort, as the seat is one of the key variables impacting passenger satisfaction. Numerous nonmetallic materials are used to create aircraft seats. These parts can be divided into five categories: structural, upholsteries, fire blocking layer, plastic moldings, and foam rubber cushions. FAR 25.853 must be met by small nonmetallic seat components (b). A prospective specific requirement for large area components is that they also adhere to the Appendix F Parts IV and V-described heat release and smoke requirements of FAR 25.853(a) and (a-1).
Materials Used for Aircraft Seats
The main components of airplane seats are aircraft-grade aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastic. The three materials are frequently combined by producers of airplane seats to create various types of aircraft seat shells.
Aircraft Seat Repair, Overhaul, and Refurbishment
Simple part replacements, overhauls, and complete
refurbishments are all possible for aircraft seat repairs. A thorough
inspection is conducted, and when a component is found to be malfunctioning, it
is taken apart, examined, repaired, and tested to ensure that it is operating
as intended. When it cannot be fixed, it is removed and changed out for a
fresh, reliable component. These steps are carried out in line with the
maintenance manuals provided by the component manufacturers (CMM). Selecting a
workshop with the necessary documents and report is essential to guaranteeing
that all of your needs are met. Consider leather car seat repair shop in Oshawa Ontario if you require repairs for your
airplane seat because they strive for perfection. Professional perfectionists
can be found ensuring top-notch leather, stitching, and embroidery.
What are the Different Types of Aircraft Upholstery?
Seat covers are simply one aspect of aircraft upholstery.
Additionally, it includes the cloth covering the bulkheads and walls as well as
the carpets on airplanes. The upholstery will vary in opulence depending on
whether you are flying first class or on a private plane, but it must still be
light and strong while upholding strict safety regulations. The seat is without
a doubt the element of aircraft upholstery that will have the largest impact on
a passenger because they can spend hours at a time bent in its grip. The
typical aircraft seat will be made of multi-density foam, which is composed of
a softer outer layer that supports the body and a firm inner layer of foam to
cushion passengers during takeoff and landing. Then, leatherette, vinyl, nylon
fabric, or real leather is used to cover the seat.
The walls and bulkheads, which shield the passenger from the
noise of contemporary travel, are as crucial to his comfort. These may have a
layer of flame-retardant foam applied to them before obtaining a variety of
covers. A premium private jet may have leather bulkheads and wall panels that
are buttoned. Commercial airplanes employ specially prepared materials with
great durability measured in tens of thousands of rubs and minimal smoke
toxicity. These carpets, which are often made of wool or nylon, need to be
lightweight in order to not considerably increase the fuel consumption of an
aircraft, but they also need to be sturdy and comfortable to walk on.
Are Aircraft Seats Flammable?
Aircraft seats are made of non-flammable materials. In truth,
fire-resistant materials are used in the construction of airplane seats to
ensure that they won't catch fire in the case of a cabin fire. This does not
imply that you should disregard the safety warnings printed in the restroom of
your aircraft, though. Follow the aircraft's evacuation protocols if there is a
fire while you are inside.
Aircraft Seats Design Requirements
The main point of interaction between passengers and an
airplane is their seat. In addition to offering a secure place to sit, airplane
seats also serve as the first line of defense in the event of an accident or
other disaster. Aircraft seats must adhere to all rules established by
governing authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration since they are
essential for safety reasons (FAA). The requirements for designing seats for
aircraft are as follows:
·
Aspect
structural: airplane seats need to be strong enough to withstand the dynamic
loads placed on them by turbulence and aircraft motion.
·
Aircraft
seats must be resistant to damage from sunshine, dampness, and other
environmental factors.
·
Comfort:
Passengers must have a pleasant area to sit in airplane seats.
·
Fire
safety standards: Materials used in seats, such as covers, upholstery, and seat
cushions, must have the self-extinguishing characteristics required by the
relevant rules, which must be tested and adhere to the fire safety criteria.
Synthetic Leather Seating for Aircraft
Today's commercial flight seats frequently have synthetic, or
"faux," leather seat covers installed. Spectra are honored to be the
sole distributor of IZIT® Leather, made by Willow Tex LLC, for the aerospace
industry. Premier synthetic leather seat coverings have a far cheaper long-term
cost of ownership than woven fabric covers and are more dependable, easier to
keep looking "new," and give longer "new cover" appearance
retention. An independent test lab compared various imitation leather products
in the aviation seating market and found that IZIT® Leather (pronounced
"is it") performed the best overall.
Wool Blend Upholstery Fabrics
Since the late 1970s, the majority of upholstery textiles for aircraft seats have been made mostly of wool yarns. To minimize strand breaks during the weaving process, the warp yarns are typically combined with a tiny amount of nylon fiber. Wool fiber may be dyed with extremely fade-resistant colors and is naturally flame-resistant. Wool's protein fiber structure "breathes," making it a suitable fabric for upholstery that is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Worsted wool yarns may be woven into an infinite number of patterns and colors to produce a seating environment that is distinctive to any aircraft cabin design since they are sturdy, resilient, and versatile.
