Accessible Air Travel Research: Wheelchair Restraint System Installation Certification Path

Details

• Creators:
  Gomez, Luis ; Bhasin, Akhil ; Olivares, Gerardo ; Castillo, Lucas ; Calderon, Javier ; Hagerott, Joseph
• Corporate Creators:
  National Institute for Aviation Research (U.S.) ; Wichita State University
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Federal Aviation Administration. Aircraft Certification Service ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration.Research, Engineering, and Development (RE&D)
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Accessibility Air Travel Assistive Technology Equity (Justice) Persons With Disabilities Quality Of Service Transportation Equity
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FAA/AM-25/22
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.21949/1529635
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Contracting Officer:
  Pellettiere, Joseph
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Abstract:
  This report presents the results of a research effort focused on developing a Project-Specific Certification Plan (PSCP) for the installation of a wheelchair tie-down and an occupant restraint system (WTORS) for a WC19-compliant wheelchair into transport category aircraft. The objective of the PSCP was to describe the steps and regulations that need to be considered in order to obtain an STC for the installation of a tie-down restraint system designed to accommodate ANSI/RESNA WC19 wheelchairs in transport category aircraft. In addition, the research evaluated the structural performance of a wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system (WTORS) for potential use in transport category aircraft. A surrogate wheelchair (SWC) was designed based on WC18 specifications and WC19 forecast data, representing worst-case conditions in terms of mass, dimensions, and center of gravity. Both dynamic and static tests were conducted in accordance with 14 CFR §25.562 and §25.561 using the QRT-360 WTORS and a 50th percentile Hybrid II ATD. The system successfully met performance expectations, with no failures in securement components. This report includes the Project-Specific Certification Plan (PSCP), test plans, and SWC engineering drawings, providing a valuable foundation for WTORS manufacturers seeking future certification for air travel applications. Finally, based on the limitations found during this research, this report also identifies several areas of future research.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  6973GH-23-T-00012, A11J.FCS.29
• Collection(s):
  FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f8810b96813b9894bbd736c36f19412993065e180d544e1f0d08377576ce197bbfef5c4d74e277b80cda9a10645d95cb02ab87d1d38dbcf72f8e6b2a17280155
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/86422/dot_86422_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 11.78 MB ]