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AIRCRAFT INTERIORS approaches. One quick and simple method is re-dying the seat leather, which is a lower-cost option but limited by the original hue. A midlevel option is re-covering the seats using existing cushions. The method has unlimited color options but cannot incorporate upgraded tailoring. Replacing the coverings and cushions is a more extensive alternative with countless color options, access to upgraded tailoring, and the certainty of extended life, as all parts are replaced. The most dramatic update is full replacement of the seats, with numerous options specific to each aircraft type. Cabinetry refurbishment Just as with seats and other soft goods, cabinetry can be refurbished through a number of approaches. The most basic approach is reconditioning. Cabinets are buffed to remove scratches and then polished to look like new. With refinishing, the existing finish is stripped and new high-gloss or stain finish is applied. Most extensive is surface replace- ment, where the existing veneer Focus on Safety Earlier this year the NTSB released a study that showed that general aviation airplanes equipped with airbags provide additional protection in accidents involving survivable forward impacts. Airbags are designed to mitigate head and upper body injuries and are installed in the lap belt or shoulder harness portions of the restraint system. They were first approved for use in GA aircraft in 2003. Today, more than 60,000 commercial and general aviation aircraft seats are equipped with this innovative technology and new seats are added daily, according to AmSafe, the leading provider of engineered restraint systems. The NTSB study confirmed that correctly installed shoulder harness/lap belt combina- Cessna Citation Service Center converts a Citation V for an air ambulance role. or laminate is removed and a new selection is installed. This is more time-intensive but allows for customization to per- sonal taste. Wi-Fi and other electronics Staying Internet- connected is vital, and companies can provide the tools to keep in touch via high speed. For example, operating via 3G mobile technology and a network of ground stations, allow full web surfing, email, and the use of any Wi-Fi enabled device. A variety of monthly service plans are offered, from unlimited use to set monthly fees with usage limits and per-MB fees when the limit is surpassed. Entertainment options can be improved as well. Many companies offer interfaces for iPods, MP3 players, USB inputs, Blu-ray players, and high-def tions provide significantly greater protection in GA accidents than lap belts alone. Based on more than 37,000 GA accidents, the Board concluded that the risk of fatal or serious injury was 50 percent higher when an occupant was only restrained by a lap belt as compared to the combination lap belt and shoulder harness. AmSafe Industries Inc., based in Phoenix, assisted the NTSB with the study and how the technology works. AmSafe believes NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman was correct when she observed that, "$3,000 for a two-seat retrofit may not be cheap, but when you consider it relative to the safety benefit, and to the cost of a new airplane – which can be more than half a million dollars – it is a good investment." According to Joe Smith, vice presi- dent and product line manager of Airbag personal and bulkhead viewing screens. Many owners take advantage of time allotted to other interior refurbishments and maintenance to perform electronics upgrades. In conclusion, many aircraft cabin options are available and new technology has opened up the possibilities. AMT Stan Younger is vice president, Service Facilities, Cessna Aircraft Company. For more information visit www.cessna.com. Products for AmSafe, no one else in the industry offers the product it does. Aircraft owners can go to an authorized service center or check the AmSafe web site which will direct them to an authorized location to install the airbag kits. The kits are approved for various Cessna, Diamond, Mooney, Cirrus, and other aircraft models, with more in development. AmSafe unveiled its next-generation seatbelt airbag for commercial aviation at the 2011 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, this year. And at last year's NBAA convention AmSafe, together with B/E Aerospace, announced the availability of seatbelt airbags on side-facing divans for business jets. For more information visit www.amsafe.com. — Barb Zuehlke www.AMTSociety.org • www.AMTonline.com • Aircraft Maintenance Technology September 2011 13