AmSafe, manufacturer of passenger and crew restraint systems for corporate and GA aircraft, arrives at NBAA on the heels of July’s FAA approval of its state-of-the-art restraint system (SOARS) STC covering retrofit installations on 541 models of GA aircraft. The universal seatbelt system is available in two- and three-point harnesses, with protection provided by a lap belt airbag that deploys within 50 milliseconds after detecting longitudinal deceleration of 9gs lasting consistently for 40 to 50 milliseconds. SOARS can be installed on Part 23 (excluding Part 23.562) aircraft and as a retrofit on experimental aircraft now using two- and three-point harnesses,… more

AmSafe airbag seat belts have been installed for the front and rear seats of AOPA’s Sweepstakes Super Cub. Baker Air Service and an AmSafe technician installed the supplemental type certificated four-point seat belts on July 11, just days before the Super Cub launches on an eight-hour flight from Baker, Montana, to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture. The system detects a crash event within milliseconds and deploys the airbags (located in each shoulder harness) away from the occupant. The airbags add a layer of protection, preventing the rear seat occupant from hitting his or her head on the back of the… more

Airbag seat belt technology just opened wide for retrofit installation on older aircraft. The FAA granted AmSafe’s State of the Art Restraint System (SOARS) supplemental type certificate approval July 12 with an approved model list of 541 models. The universal system, introduced to the general aviation community during Sun ‘n Fun in April, is for sale at an introductory price of $2,580. AmSafe will be at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 23 through 29, to show off the new product. SOARS is available in two- and three-point harnesses for Part 23 aircraft (excluding Part 23.562 aircraft). The system also… more

Baker Air Service and an AmSafe technician installed the supplemental type certificated four-point seat belts on July 11, just days before the Super Cub launches on an eight-hour flight from Baker, Montana, to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture. The system detects a crash event within milliseconds and deploys the airbags (located in each shoulder harness) away from the occupant. The airbags add a layer of protection, preventing the rear seat occupant from hitting his or her head on the back of the front seat and protecting the pilot in the front from slamming his or her head into the instrument… more