AmSafe Debuts Lightweight Commercial Aviation Passenger Seatbelt

New seatbelt maintains iconic AmSafe teardrop buckle design with 25 percent weight reduction

Defense News: PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmSafe^®, Inc., the leading provider of highly engineered restraint systems, today announced the introduction of its next-generation passenger seatbelt for commercial aircraft. The seatbelt, a streamlined version of AmSafe’s traditional design, is nearly 25 percent lighter than the restraint installed on the majority of the world’s commercial fleet. The new lightweight restraint will be on display at AmSafe’s booth (#7F61; Hall B7) at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, which will take place May 18-20 in Hamburg, Germany.

“AmSafe’s passenger restraint has been a ubiquitous design in commercial aviation for more than 30 years, however, the demands our customers face today are more stringent than they were three decades ago,” said Bill Hagan, president of AmSafe Aviation. “This product delivers the same reliability and ease of use of the legacy restraint, but at a lighter weight to help carriers meet the challenges of rising fuel costs without compromising safety.”

The new lightweight seatbelt has the same patented performance qualities that AmSafe’s products have become known for. It has the same attach points as the conventional AmSafe seatbelt and can be easily retrofitted on both premium and economy seats.

“Using high-performance materials and design techniques, AmSafe has developed a commercial aviation passenger restraint that is notably lighter than our existing product offerings,” said Herb Mardany, vice president and general manager of AmSafe Aviation. “The improved ergonomic style of the AmSafe buckle is nicely suited for the modern seats and interiors of new aircraft and meets the requirements of the FAA.”

AmSafe traditional restraints are specified as original equipment on nearly all of the commercial, regional airframe manufacturer's aircraft: Airbus Industries, The Boeing Company, Bombardier Aerospace, Embraer, and more.

AmSafe passenger restraints incorporate the most advanced technology available. The Company uses advanced materials, manufacturing techniques and in-house dynamic testing, along with continual research and development, to ensure that all seat occupants are safe and secure.

The new lightweight seatbelt will be available for shipping in the 2010 third quarter. For ordering information, please contact Chris Muklevicz, vice president of sales at AmSafe Aviation, at cmuklevicz@amsafe.com or 602-850-2850.

About AmSafe, Inc. and AmSafe Aviation

AmSafe, Inc., and its affiliated business units, are world leaders in safety and securement products for the aerospace, defense and ground transportation industries. AmSafe’s innovative products can be found on virtually every commercial aircraft in the world and include seatbelts, restraints, airbags, cargo and barrier nets, tie-downs and cabin interior textiles. Headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., AmSafe operates manufacturing and service facilities around the globe and is committed to providing quality products and timely, cost-effective solutions to customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.amsafe.com.

Contact:

AmSafe Corporate Communications
Carlotta Soares, 602-850-2730
csoares@amsafe.com
or
Schwartz Communications
Chris Poisson or Anna Dreyser, 781-684-0770
AmSafe@schwartz-pr.com

AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag Protecting Passengers on More than 9,000 Aircraft Worldwide

On Monday June 22, 2009, 9:14 am EDT
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmSafe®, Inc., the leading provider of highly engineered restraint systems, today announced that the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag is now installed on more than 9,000 commercial and general aviation aircraft around the world.
The AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag is a self-contained, modular restraint designed to protect occupants from serious head-impact injury and enhance one’s ability to exit an aircraft following a survivable accident. Integrated into the lap belt portion of the seatbelt, the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag inflates in less than 90 milliseconds and, unlike automotive airbags, safely deploys up and away from the occupant, making it a safe restraint for passengers of all ages.
“Demand for the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag continues to grow. Today, AmSafe Seatbelt Airbags secure passengers in more than 43,000 seats on more than 9,000 commercial and general aviation aircraft around the world. The technology is now standard equipment on 80 percent of new single engine general aviation aircraft, is available as an aftermarket option for many models and has been adopted by more than 30 commercial airlines in the U.S. and abroad,” said AmSafe Aviation President Bill Hagan. “More importantly, the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag has already saved lives. We fully expect it will continue to do so in the future as more airlines and operators adopt the system to improve survivability and reduce injuries during taxi, take-off and landing, where the majority of accidents occur.”
In service since 2001, the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag has enabled airlines to comply with a new FAA safety regulation that takes effect this October requiring commercial aircraft seats to withstand a crash impact of up to 16 times the force of gravity. As compliance with this regulation has proven difficult to attain in certain seating environments, airlines have turned to the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag in order to meet the new standard. By so doing, they have been able to deliver enhanced passenger safety and at the same time avoid the alternative approach to compliance: removal of rows of seats and the associated loss of millions of dollars per aircraft in revenue.
The AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag has also enabled the innovation of lie-flat, pod-style and other premium seating that has become prevalent in first- and business-class cabins on long haul international aircraft. In some instances, the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag not only makes the use of these innovative new seats possible, but it also helps carriers maximize the number of premium seats on an aircraft while still meeting FAA safety standards.
The AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag is installed in new single engine general aviation aircraft manufactured by Air Tractor, American Legend, Aviat, Cessna Aircraft, Cirrus Design, Cub Crafters, Diamond Aircraft, Hawker Beechcraft, Lancair International, Mooney Airplane Company, Pilatus, Quest Aircraft, SportAir USA, Zenair, and now Piper Aircraft.
About AmSafe, Inc. and AmSafe Aviation
AmSafe, Inc., and its affiliated business units are world leaders in safety and securement products for the aerospace, defense and ground transportation industries. AmSafe’s innovative products can be found on virtually every commercial aircraft in the world and include seatbelts, restraints, airbags, cargo and barrier nets, tie-downs and cabin interior textiles. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, AmSafe operates manufacturing and service facilities around the globe and is committed to providing quality products and timely, cost-effective solutions to customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.amsafe.com.
Contact:
Press:
AmSafe Corporate Communications
Carlotta Soares,
602-850-2730
csoares@amsafe.com
or
Schwartz Communications
Anna Dreyser/Rachel Lear,
781-684-0770
AmSafe@schwartz-pr.com
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