Expert Commentary Available: Aviation Seatbelt Airbags in Service & Saving Lives Since 2001
PHOENIX, Nov 06, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Seatbelt airbags are making headlines: yesterday Ford Motor Co.
announced it plans to introduce seatbelt airbags in the back seat of the
2011 Ford Explorer. Last week, a new Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) regulation took effect that is prompting many airlines to install
seatbelt airbags in new aircraft to meet compliance.
The move to seatbelt airbags started in aviation, when AmSafe Aviation
introduced the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag for aircraft in 2001. Today more
than 48,000 AmSafe Seatbelt Airbags secure passengers on aircraft and
are credited with saving 14 lives in general aviation incidents. Each
year AmSafe conducts more than 600 aviation crash simulations in its
state-of-the-art Phoenix test facility. Ford's major announcement
confirms that seatbelt airbags are a safe, reliable technology that
protects passengers of all ages and sizes.
AmSafe Aviation President Bill Hagan and Research Director Dr. Tom
Barth--experts on aviation and automotive airbag technology--are available
to provide expert commentary. Mr. Hagan and Dr. Barth can provide
insight on a variety of seatbelt airbag-related topics including:
--
The benefits and engineering principles of seatbelt airbags;
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How seatbelt airbags increase accident survivability;
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Why the FAA mandated new seat safety requirements and how commercial
carriers are complying; and
--
What flying and driving consumers need to know about seatbelt airbags.
Prior to overseeing the development of the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag, Mr.
Hagan worked for nine years at General Motors Inland Fisher Guide
(Delphi) division specializing in airbag technology development and
occupant safety systems. Hagan earned his bachelor's of science degree
in mechanical engineering technology from the University of Dayton.
Dr. Barth has more than 20 years experience researching crash dynamics
and occupant safety. Prior to working on seatbelt airbags at AmSafe, Dr.
Barth worked on automotive airbags (TRW) and military and commercial
seating (Simula). He has participated in over 20 aircraft accident
investigations with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and
has worked on safety regulation compliance with the FAA and European
Aviation Safety Agency. Dr. Barth completed his Ph.D. from the school of
Applied Science from Cranfield University.
For information on the AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag or to schedule an
interview with Hagan or Dr. Barth, contact
Anna Dreyser or Chris Poisson of Schwartz Communications at 781.684.0770
or amsafe@schwartz-pr.com.
SOURCE: AmSafe
AmSafe Corporate Communications
Carlotta Soares, 602-850-2730
csoares@amsafe.com
or
Schwartz Communications
Anna Dreyser/ Chris Poisson
781-684-0770
Amsafe@schwartz-pr.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
