ETSO-C127a

Date : 24.10.03
European
Aviation
Safety
Agency

European Technical Standard Order

Subject: ROTORCRAFT, TRANSPORT AEROPLANE, AND NORMAL AND UTILITY AEROPLANE

SEATING SYSTEMS

1 - Applicability
This ETSO prescribes the minimum performance standards (MPS) that rotorcraft, transport aeroplane, and
normal and utility aeroplane seating systems of the following designated types that are manufactured on or
after the date of this ETSO, must meet in order to be identified with the applicable ETSO marking.

Type A - Transport Aeroplane

Type B - Rotorcraft
Type C1 - Normal & Utility Aeroplane - Crew Seats
Type C2 - Normal & Utility Aeroplane - Passenger Seats

2 - Procedures
2.1 - General
Applicable procedures are detailed in CS-ETSO Subpart A.
2.2 - Specific
None.

3 - Technical Conditions
3.1 - General
3.1.1 - Minimum Performance Standard
Standards set forth in Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. (SAE), Aerospace Standard (AS),
Document No. AS 8049A, „Performance Standards for Seats in Civil Rotorcraft and Transport
Airplanes“, dated September, 1997, as amended by Appendix 1 of this ETSO.
Additions :
Additional information on the dynamic testing of seating systems is contained in Advisory Circular
(AC) 20-137, „Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems & Occupant Restraint for Rotorcraft
(Normal & Transport)“, AC 23.562-1, „Dynamic Testing of Part 23 Airplane Restraint/Systems and
Occupant Protection“, and AC 25.562-1A, „Dynamic Evaluation of Seat Restraint Systems &
Occupant Protection on Transport Airplanes“. Compliance with these AC’s is not necessary to
receive a ETSO authorization under this ETSO. However, the applicant for a seat installation
approval should be aware that any seating system may be required to meet the criteria contained in
these AC’s in order to qualify for installation in an aircraft.
3.1.2 - Environmental Standard
None.
3.1.3 – Computer Software
None
3.2 - Specific
None

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4 - Marking
4.1 - General
Marking is detailed in CS-ETSO Subpart A paragraph 1.2. In addition, each seating system shall be
legibly and permanently marked with the following :
(i) the applicable seat type : „Type A-“, „Type B-“, „Type C1-“, or „Type C2-“ followed by the
appropriate seat facing direction designation : „FF“-forward; „RF“-rearward; or „SF“-sideward,
(ii) for Type A passenger seating systems, the approved seat pitch necessary to maintain clearance to
assure an effective emergency evacuation, as defined in AC 25.562-1A, Appendix 2. Use appropriate
statement as follows : „See installation limitations in component maintenance manual (CMM) or
drawing number (insert number)“ or „Minimum or Allowable range (if applicable) seat pitch (insert
number/range).“,
(iii) each separate component that is easily removable (without hand tools, except those components
that are ETSO articles), each interchangeable element, and each separate sub-assembly of the article
that the manufacturer determines may be interchangeable with other seating systems must be
permanently and legibly marked with at least the name of the manufacturer, manufacturer’s sub-
assembly part number, and the ETSO number,
(iv) for Type A and Type B transport passenger, flight attendant, and observer seating systems, each
seat cushion required for qualification of the seating system must be marked with „Complies with CS
25.853(c), or CS 29.853(b), as applicable“ when tested in accordance with the requirements of
Section 3.4.2 of SAE AS 8049A, as revised by subparagraph 2.2.3 of Appendix 1 of this ETSO.
4.2 - Specific
None.

5 - Availability of Referenced Document

See CS-ETSO Subpart A paragraph 3.

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Appendix 1

APPENDIX 1. TRANSPORT AEROPLANE, AND NORMAL AND UTILITY AEROPLANE

SEATING SYSTEMS

1. Purpose. This appendix prescribes the MPS for seating systems, as modified by the FAA for reference in
this TSO.

2. Requirements. The standards applicable to this TSO are set forth in the industry standard specified in
paragraph 3 of this TSO. SAE AS 8049A, „Performance Standards for Seats in Civil Rotorcraft and Transport
Airplanes,“ dated September 1997, which is the applicable standard is modified as follows:

2.1 Exceptions.

2.1.1 The information contained in Section 1. SCOPE: and Section 2. REFERENCES: of

SAE AS 8049A is duplicative and shall be disregarded.

2.1.2 Compliance with Section 3.1 Guidance: of SAE AS 8049A is not required, except for
Subsections 3.1.4, 3.1.8, 3.1.11, 3.1.14 (passenger seats only), 3.1.15 and 3.1.17 through 3.1.20.

2.1.3 Compliance with the dynamic test procedures and documentation of Subsection 5.3.1
Dynamic Impact Test Parameters: through Subsection 5.3.9.2 Impact Pulse Shape: of SAE AS 8049A may be
demonstrated by equivalent procedures such as those described in either AC 23.562-1 or 25.562-1A. The
simplified procedures for head injury criteria (HIC) outlined in policy letter TAD-96-002 dated February 16,
1996 also may be used in lieu of the selection of test conditions described in Subsection 5.3.6.2 of SAE AS
8049A. The use of any equivalent procedures must be established by the applicant and accepted in advance by
the Manager, Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), having geographic
purview of the applicant’s facility (See subparagraph 2.2.1 of this Appendix).

2.1.4 Compliance with the dynamic impact test pass/fail criteria of Subsections 5.4.3, 5.4.4,
and 5.4.9 of SAE AS 8049A for permanent deformation limits, HIC, and femur loads, respectively, is not
required. However, the data must be reported, as required by subparagraph 5.a(12) of this TSO.

2.1.5 Disregard the marking requirements specified in Section 6. MARKINGS: of SAE AS

8049A. Marking of the article shall be in accordance with paragraph 4 of this TSO.

2.2 Additions.

2.2.1 As applicable, at least 30 days prior to conducting any required TSO testing and prior to
submitting an application for TSO authorization per 14 CFR 21.605(a), the applicant shall submit, to the FAA
ACO manager, a proposed plan for demonstrating compliance with the requirements of this TSO for the
following:

2.2.1.1 Any procedures that the applicant has identified in consideration of the
design guidance in the SAE AS 8049A Subsections identified in subparagraph 2.1.2 of this Appendix; and

2.2.1.2 Those equivalent procedures the applicant has proposed to use to

demonstrate compliance with dynamic test requirements of subparagraph 2.1.3 of this Appendix.

2.2.2 Under Section 3.2 Requirements: of SAE AS 8049A, add a new Subsection 3.2.15 to
read as follows: Except for rearward facing seats, the pelvic restraint system shall be designed such that the
vertical angle subtended by the projection of the pelvic restraint centerline and the seat reference point (SRP)
water line shall not be greater than 55 degrees. The SRP water line is a line/plane passing through the SRP
parallel to the horizon. The pelvic restraint centerline is formed by a line from the pelvic restraint anchorage to
a point located 9.75 inches forward of the SRP and 7.00 inches above the SRP water line. In addition, the
pelvic restraint anchorage point(s) must be located no further than 2.0 inches forward of the SRP (ref Figure 1A
of SAE AS 8049A).

2.2.3 Replace Subsection 3.4.2 of SAE AS 8049A with the following: Type A-Transport
Airplane and Type B-Transport Rotorcraft passenger, flight attendant, and observer seat cushion systems shall

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Appendix 1

be tested and shall meet the fire protection provisions of Appendix F, Part II of 14 CFR Part 25, as required in
14 CFR 25.853(c) effective February 2, 1995 and 14 CFR 29.853(b) effective October 26, 1984 respectively, or
the equivalent shall be demonstrated by analysis (similarity) to provide equivalent protection. Type B- Normal
Rotorcraft upholstery shall be self extinguishing when tested to meet the fire protection provisions of 14 CFR
27.853(b) effective February 4, 1980. Type C1- and C2- Normal & Utility Airplane seat cushions shall be self
extinguishing when tested to meet the fire protection provisions of paragraph (c) of Appendix F of 14 CFR Part
23, as required in 14 CFR 23.853(d)(3)(ii) effective February 9, 1995.

2.2.4 The following two items shall be included in Subsection 5.3.10.3 Test Data: of SAE AS
8049A: o. Post test retrieval of life preserver; and p. Evaluation of seat egress (See adjustable features in
Subsection 3.2.6 and baggage stowed under seat in Subsection 3.2.7 of SAE AS 8049A. These two items will
be part of the data submittal required by subparagraph 5.a(12)(iv) of this TSO.

2.2.5 Under APPENDIX A PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING PULSE SHAPES, revise

Subsection A.6 STEP 5 (REFERENCE FIGURE 5A): of SAE AS 8049A to read: Construct a line parallel to
the ideal (minimum regulatory requirement) pulse and offset by 2 g in magnitude less than the ideal during the
time interval between T1 and T3. Likewise construct a line parallel to the ideal pulse and offset by 2 g in
magnitude less than the ideal (minimum regulatory requirement) pulse on the trailing side of the pulse from:

T3 < t < T1 + 1.33( T3- T1)

If the magnitude of the acquired pulse is 2 g less than the ideal pulse shape at any point along the acquired pulse
shape during the period T1 < t < T1 + 1.33( T3- T1), the pulse is unacceptable.

Sled Impact Pulse

5.0
120 MS

0.0

Unacceptable Ideal Pulse

-5.0
g
-10.0

-15.0 2g

-20.0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Time (Milliseconds)

FIGURE 5A

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Appendix 2

APPENDIX 2. TEST CONDITIONS

SAE AS 8049A incorporates, as a reference, the following test standards for which a more recent version of
these standards may be substituted, if approved by the FAA ACO manager having geographical purview over
the manufacturer’s facilities.

1. SAE J211- Instrumentation for Impact Tests.

2. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 572, Anthropomorphic Test Dummies.

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Appendix 2

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