Aircraft Seats: Everything You Need To Know

December 27, 2021|Aircraft Maintenance| 0

Author
Recent Posts

Sales and service specialist for Southern Air. Providing guidance and scheduling to business owners across the world on refurbishing and upgrading their aircraft

How are Aircraft Seats Made?

Aircraft seats are typically made from aircraft-grade aluminum, carbon fiber, or plastic. Many aircraft seat manufacturers combine the three materials to produce different types of aircraft seat shells.

For example, Italian manufacturer Aviointeriors uses a combination of aircraft-grade aluminum and carbon fiber for its shell material. The company claims that by using both lightweight materials together, its aircraft seats are stronger than aircraft seats made from just aluminum or carbon fiber.

The aircraft seat frame consists of four main components: metal frames, headrests, armrests, and other miscellaneous hardware. Seat belts also play an important role in aircraft seating; they’re needed to keep passengers secure during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

Are aircraft seats different depending on the type of aircraft?

Yes. Not all aircraft seats are created equal. In fact, there can be quite a bit of variation from one type of aircraft to the next. Seats in smaller aircraft, such as regional jets, are typically narrower and have less padding than those found on larger aircraft, such as jumbo jets. And while most economy class seats offer a reclining feature, the amount of recline available varies from aircraft to aircraft.

How can I choose the best aircraft seat for me?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you’re choosing the best aircraft seat:

The seat should be comfortable
The aircraft seat should be stylish and yet functional
It should be easy to clean
The seat should be made of high-quality materials

Materials Used for Aircraft Seats

The primary materials used for aircraft seats include:

Aircraft-grade aluminum
Carbon fiber
Plastic

Many aircraft seat manufacturers combine the three materials to produce different types of aircraft seat shells.

Aircraft Seat Repair, Overhaul, and Refurbishment

Aircraft seat repairs can range from simple part replacements to an overhaul or a total refurbishment. An intensive inspection takes place, and when a component fails to operate properly, it is removed, inspected, repaired, and tested to be functioning properly. When it can’t be repaired, it is removed and replaced by a new and well-functioning part.

These procedures are done in accordance with the component manufacturers’ maintenance manuals (CMM). It is crucial to pick a workshop with the required documentation and report to ensure all your requirements are catered for.

If you’re in need of aircraft seat repairs, you should consider Southern Air Custom Interiors,

At Southern Air Interiors, we work until everything is perfect. You will find professional perfectionists, ensuring quality leather, stitching, and embroidery.

Are Aircraft seats Flammable?

The materials used in aircraft seats are not flammable. In fact, aircraft seats are made from fire-resistant materials so that they will not catch on fire in the event of a cabin fire. However, this does not mean that you should ignore the safety instructions posted in your aircraft’s lavatory. If there is a fire while you are on board, be sure to follow the aircraft’s evacuation procedures.

Aircraft Seats Design Requirements

The aircraft seat is the primary point of contact between passengers and aircraft. The aircraft seats not only provide a safe place to sit but also act as the first line of defense in case of an aircraft accident or incident. Because they are vital for safety purposes, aircraft seats must meet all regulations set forth by governing bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The following are the design requirements for aircraft seats:

Structural aspect: aircraft seats must be able to withstand the dynamic loads imposed on them during turbulence and aircraft movement.

Environmental: aircraft seats must be resistant to damage from sunlight, moisture, and other elements.

Comfort: aircraft seats must provide passengers with a comfortable place.

Fire protection requirements: Material used in the seat, such as coverings, upholstery, and seat cushions, must have self-extinguishing properties as specified in the applicable regulations, which must be tested and meet the fire protection provisions.

Others include:

Aircraft seats must be lightweight to reduce the aircraft’s overall weight and save on fuel costs.
Aircraft seats must also be strong enough to withstand the forces of acceleration, deceleration, and turbulence.
Aircraft seats must be comfortable for long periods of time.
Aircraft seats must be easy to clean so that they can be sanitized.
Aircraft seats must be able to withstand the adverse effects of solar radiation and moisture/water exposure which can result in corrosion or rusting that compromises material strength. This is why aircraft manufacturers always specify what types of materials are appropriate for use on particular aircraft, depending on their intended operation (for example, high humidity areas such as coastal regions).

Common Aircraft seat problems

The following are common aircraft seat problems:

Seat track problems:

Aircraft seats can suffer from issues with the aircraft track, causing them to move unexpectedly during flight. This is one of the most common aircraft seat problems.

Locking Mechanisms:

Aircraft seats do not always lock into aircraft tracks securely, causing the aircraft seat to shift during flight. This is a serious aircraft seat problem because it can cause injuries to passengers and crew members.

Reclining Mechanisms:

Aircraft seats that recline can often present problems. If the aircraft seat reclines too far, it can hit other passengers and crew members seated in front of it. In addition, if the aircraft seat does not have a stop mechanism to keep it from reclining too far, then the passenger’s head will be pushed forward uncomfortably.

Seatbelts:

Aircraft seats come equipped with seatbelts, but they are often too small for larger passengers and cannot provide adequate protection in the case of an aircraft accident or incident. Furthermore, some aircraft seats may not have a buckle mechanism installed, which means that when an aircraft crashes, it is likely to cause injury by flinging the passenger forward into sharp metal objects.

Padding and Armrests:

Aircraft seats are often not well padded, which can lead to passengers experiencing pain during long flights. In addition, many aircraft seats do not have armrests, making it difficult for people to rest their arms comfortably.

Cable problems:

Aircraft seats often have several cables that hold them in place or support their movement. These aircraft seat cables are susceptible to damage from environmental factors, such as moisture and sunlight. When the cables are damaged, it can cause the aircraft seat to move or become inoperative.

Seat adjustment problems:

One of the most common aircraft seat problems is that passengers are not able to adjust their seats to find a comfortable position. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as the aircraft seat not being adjustable, the adjustment mechanism being damaged, or the cable that controls the movement of the aircraft seat being broken.

Contact us for Aircraft Seat Repair.

If you face any of the problems listed above and need aircraft seat repairs, contact us at Southern Air Custom Interiors,