AmSafe Airbag System

[richardheitzman]

HI Jose,

Every test we do simulates the aircraft. I personally do not know what aircraft was being tested in that specific video but rest assured, whichever aircraft it was, the crash video you viewed is what you would see in a real crash.

Yes Mooney aircraft have a very robust structure and there is no doubt that a 4 point restraint provides added protection compared to a three point. I am sure in a low G incident a 4 point restraint would keep you from the panel. In a higher G incident, nothing short of a Airbag will keep you from moving forward into the panel and that is what we are talking about here. At 9 g's or above you will hit the panel.

Car airbag systems do provide added protection especially in side impact, impacts that are greater then 45 degrees, etc that the airbag system does not look at.

Our system protects head and torso only. This is the number one injury that leads to fatalities. There are no seatbelt systems made today that prevent injury to the extremities. Our system does dampen down "flailing" which is a secondary cause of injury.

Rich

Quote: Piloto

Richard  I look at your video and noticed that the back structure holding the shoulder belt was allowed to move forward thus allowing no torso restrain by the shoulder belt. In reality like in a Mooney steel frame that back structure would not have deflected that much. On the video there is no indication of the impact effect on the lower body (legs). On many of these crashes your legs get crushed by the nose wheel. I think I would rather have a 4 point seat belt ($200) anchored to the structure like those found in racing cars and aerobatic planes. The 4 point seat belt besides adding protection during crash it significantly helps you cope with severe turbulence. Also keep in mind that airbags offers added protection in cars even if the seat belt is not worn (the original purpose) which is not the case here. I still think the AmSafe Airbag offers some degree of added protection but in no way to that found in cars.

José       

[Geoff]

Richard,

I have an '82 K model and would be very interested in your product.  Please keep us informed as you make progress with an STC on older J and K models.

[romair]

Any news regarding the airbag seatbelts from amsafe?? This thread seems to have died a while ago and there does not seem to be an STC for J models on the Amsafe website...