Safety and Technology Trends

Airbags Now Available for GA Retrofit   AmSafe has announced plans for the aftermarket distribution of its airbag system, the AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint (AAIR), to general aviation customers worldwide. Working with a number of OEMs and independent operators, AmSafe has assembled a network of...

For immediate service; more information; and multi-user access (site license), non-profit organization, educational institute pricing, contact Karen Garner kgarner@accessintel.com at (301) 354-1612.

This story is only available to paid subscribers. Please login below with your username and password if you are a subscriber.

Username:
Password:
	What is my password?

Subscribe     Trial

Airbags Now Available for GA Retrofit

 

AmSafe has announced plans for the aftermarket distribution of its airbag system, the AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint (AAIR), to general aviation customers worldwide. Working with a number of OEMs and independent operators, AmSafe has assembled a network of authorized service centers with operations at over 450 locations around the globe to sell, install and service its aviation airbag system. "Over the past few years we've seen many general aviation manufacturers embrace our airbag system, making it standard equipment on new aircraft," said Bill Hagan, president of AmSafe Aviation. "Given the growing demand by pilots for aftermarket installation of the AAIR, we've worked hard to establish this network of service centers in order to make this life-saving technology more readily available for legacy aircraft models." The recent addition of the Cessna Aircraft Service Center Network greatly expands AmSafe's reach. AmSafe has authorized other service centers to install and support the AmSafe Airbag system for OEMs such as Cirrus Design Corporation, Diamond Aircraft Industries Incorporated and Mooney Airplane Company. In service since 2001, the AmSafe Airbag system is currently being installed as standard equipment on approximately 80 percent of all new single-engine general aviation aircraft and more than 30,000 systems are being used in a wide variety of aviation applications. The AmSafe Airbag also is featured by more than 30 commercial airlines around the world and has logged millions of flight hours since entering service.

The AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint is a self-contained, modular airbag restraint system. It was specifically designed to improve occupant protection from serious head- impact injury during an otherwise survivable aircraft accident, thus enhancing the occupant's ability to exit the aircraft. When the AAIR system's sensors detect a crash, an airbag built into the restraint deploys up and away from the seat occupant, unlike an automobile airbag, which deploys toward the occupant.

Safer Cell Phone Batteries

German researchers have created a novel lithium-ion battery based on a polymer electrolyte, which unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, is not flammable.

Lithium-ion batteries supply the power for cell phones, PDAs and laptops.In terms of safety, they have one disadvantage - the organic electrolytes can easily catch fire.

This has already resulted in several fires and subsequent recall campaigns. But researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Wurzburg have optimized the safety of these batteries, replacing the inflammable organic electrolytes with a non-flammable polymer that retains its shape. What's more, because it is a solid substance, the electrolyte cannot leak out of the battery. Between three and five years are likely to elapse before the battery will be commercially available. The conductivity of the polymer needs further improvement to enable the battery to deliver or store as much power as possible in as short a time as possible.

Kairos Consulting Wins Lufthansa Assignment in the Philippines

Lufthansa Technik Philippines, a global provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for commercial aircraft, has engaged Chicago-based Kairos Consulting for advisory services, The assignment aims to increase the speed and quality of services performed at Lufthansa Technik's Manila facility .Kairos will implement a Lean Six Sigma initiative, a business improvement methodology used by companies worldwide to speed processes, increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. By implementing Lean Six Sigma, Lufthansa Technik will be able to increase the number of planes serviced in Manila, process them faster, and improve the quality of their work. Lufthansa Technik Philippines employs more than 2,000 administrators and technicians who service both Lufthansa and other carriers in Manila. Sutton said Kairos expects to complete the Lean Six Sigma engagement in May. Lufthansa Technik services more than half of the international and local carriers that fly to and from the Philippines. Kairos Consulting serves private- and public sector clients with global, national, regional and local operations. Kairos was founded in 2004.

Keystone Helicopter to Grant Certifications

Keystone Helicopter, a subsidiary of Sikorsky Aircraft, has won approval to act on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in certifying modifications performed on certain fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Keystone received the Organization Designation Approval (ODA) after demonstrating to the FAA that the company has the expertise, facilities, experience, and qualified employees to issue Supplemental Type Certificates for work performed on aircraft certified under part 23, 27 & 29. The ODA covers a wide range of work, including cockpit instrument modifications and installation of exterior features such as searchlights. It excludes work on major spinning components such as engines and rotors. With the authorization, Keystone engineers also can certify work done at non-Keystone facilities.