David Blake

Twenty-six tests were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of current fire safety requirements for large Class B cargo compartments as well as proposed improvements to the requirements. The major findings were that the current requirements are not effective on the types of fires tested and that are several alternatives that could be implemented to better enable a large Class B compartment to withstand the types of fires tested.

Robert Koenig

The Cabin safety Research Program is described as a totally integrated plan that allows three separate aviation-safety authorities to get the most from the cabin-safety research budgets.

Allen Porter

The major features and performance parameters of the Boeing 757 cabin ventilation system are described within the context of cabin smoke control. Two design changes were developed and evaluated. In the first design, additional ventilation outflow valves are located on the upper part of the fuselage and cabin ventilation is modified to provide air delivery in either the front or rear half of the fuselage. The second proposed design involves establishing the capability of reversing the ventilation flow so that it enters at the cabin floor and exits into the ceiling air distribution ducts. The technical feasibility of the design changes was assessed through installation complexity, added weight, and estimated effectiveness. Elements requiring further study were also identified.

Mark Muller, Richard Greenwood, Marvin Richards, Lindley Bark

The primary goals of this study were (1) to evaluate rotorcraft flotation system performance in water related incidents and accidents and (2) to identify areas of potential improvements of.rotorcraft flotation system operation and occupant fatality reduction. Four tasks were conducted: a survey of both civilian and U.S. Navy rotorcraft flotation technology, a review of civilian flotation accident and incident data, definition of generic flotation system improvements, and evaluation of available analytical methods for assessing flotation system performance. This study suggested upgrades of the civil regulations and potential design improvements to current deployable flotation systems. Further development work is required to determine the effectiveness of the proposed design improvements. Existing analytical methods for four significant aspects of the water landing sequence were described.

Thor I. Eklund

The characteristics of converging-diverging nozzles are compared to those of converging nozzles for use in aircraft cabin smoke control. The peak flow flight regimes for the two different nozzles are compared by means of test data taken on a Boeing 757. The converging-diverging nozzle is shown as capable of maintaining peak volumetric flow over a wide range of airplane cabin pressure and flight altitude combinations. Sample capacities and flow schedules are presented for installation of converging-diverging nozzles in Boeing 737 aircraft.