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AMC 25.1411(f) Life preserver stowage provisions

ED Decision 2020/024/R

The applicant should demonstrate that the life preserver is within easy reach of, and can be readily removed by, a seated and belted occupant (shoulder strap(s) may be removed prior to the demonstration), for all seat orientations and installations that are intended for use during taxi, take‑off and landing. In lieu of an actual life preserver, a representative object (e.g. of the same size and weight) may be utilised for testing. The evaluation to quickly retrieve the preserver is to begin with the occupant moving their hand(s) from the seated position to reach for the preserver and to end with the occupant having the preserver in their hand(s) and fully removed from the stowage container. It does not include the time for the occupant to return to the upright position, to remove a pull strap from the preserver (if used) or to open the preserver package provided by the preserver manufacturer.

The applicant should test the critical configuration(s) to demonstrate retrieval of the life preserver in less than 10 seconds by a minimum of 5 test subjects with a success rate of no less than 75 %. The test should evaluate three anticipated occupant test subject size categories: the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile. At least one occupant from each size category should demonstrate successful retrieval within 10 seconds. No more than 40 % of the overall test subject population should be in the 5th or 95th percentile occupant categories.

1)      For passenger seats, the test subjects should be naïve. For the purpose of this test, naïve test subjects should be defined as follows: they should have had no experience within the prior 24 months in retrieving a life preserver. The subjects should receive no retrieval information other than a typical preflight briefing. The occupant size categories to be evaluated should be defined as:

a.       A 5th percentile occupant is no taller than 1.5 m (60 in).

b.       A 50th percentile occupant is at least 1.6 m (63 in) tall but no taller than 1.8 m (70 in).

c.       A 95th percentile occupant weighs at least 110.7 kg (244 lb).

2)      For flight attendant and observer seats, the test subjects do not need to be naïve. The occupant size categories to be evaluated should be defined as:

a.       A 5th percentile occupant is no taller than 1.5 m (60 in).

b.       A 50th percentile occupant is at least 1.6 m (63 in) tall but no taller than 1.8 m (70 in).

c.       A 95th percentile occupant weighs at least 110.7 kg (244 lb).

3)      For pilot/co-pilot seats, the test subjects do not need to be naïve. The occupant size categories to be evaluated should be defined as:

a.       A 5th percentile occupant is no taller than 1.57 m (62 in).

b.       A 50th percentile occupant is at least 1.6 m (63 in) tall but no taller than 1.8 m (70 in).

c.       A 95th percentile occupant weighs at least 110.7 kg (244 lb).

[Amdt 25/26]