Aircraft Seat Ergonomics

Introduction

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The Ideal Ergonomic Aircraft Seat (image embedded from [http://www.katedra.it/Images/air2.gif] on 23 August 2010)

Persons aboard an aircraft in flight need to maintain a correct seating posture. For the passengers, it is a matter of comfort, which is part of the entire flight experience. However, for the flight crew members, they need to be seated in a way that not only ensures comfort but also reduces fatigue from being seated in the same position for a considerable period of time. The ergonomic seat design should allow the pilots to operate the aircraft efficiently too.

The Ideal Ergonomic Aircraft Seat

- A headrest to support the neck and skull.

- A Lumbar-Dorsal-Support (LDS) to support the waist/ lower back area.

- When the upper body is in an upright position, the seat backrest must meet the back of the user.

- As different people have different heights, users should be able to adjust the height of the LDS to allow the LDS to support the waist/ lower area.

- A hollow backrest that inclined rearward to accommodate tall users and allows room in space-constrained situations (eg. Light propeller aircraft)

Advantages of Utilising Aircraft Seat Ergonomics

- The users are seated comfortably for better flight experience.

- The users are able to sit down and get up from the seat easily and quickly (Especially important during emergency evacuation).

- Flight crews are able to see the surrounding outside the flight deck clearly without having to lean forward for better view.

- Flight crews are able to view the flight instruments more clearly and easily due to their closer distance from the instrument displays

- Flight crews are more alert due to a good seating posture (Especially important for the flight crews, who need to stay vigilant at all times during the flight)

- Prevent users from feeling tired easily due to a uncomfortable seating posture (Especially important for the flight crews, who need to stay vigilant at all times during the flight makes controls easier)

- An ergonomic aircraft seat increases space in the cabin

- The probability of backbone injuries is reduced, especially during scenarios when pilot has to be ejected from the aircraft during emergencies

- To prevent health implications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

References
Katedra. (1998, May). Ergonomics of the airline seats. Retrieved 23 August 2010, from http://www.katedra.it/English/Publications/Air%20seat.htm.
Micheal, R. (2001, November 6). Anthropometry and ergonomics in airline seating. Retrieved 23 August 2010, from http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=432.

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