DESIGNING A CRASHWORTHY COCKPIT SILL: Proposal for an acceptable means of compliance according to OSTIVAS or JAR-22

Authors

  • Gerhard Waibel A. Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau GmbH u. Co., Poppenhausen

Keywords:

Structures, Materials, Design, Safety

Abstract

Statistical examination of sailplane crashes has demonstratedthat the cockpit structure is destroyed during majorcrashes in the region of the pilot's seat. The cockpit sillbuckling outwards is considered as the most likely cause of this failure. This paper describes a calculation method applicable for designing a cockpit sill sufficiently strong to withstand high impact crash forces. The design method also shows strategies which help to support this component, without a considerable weight penalty being incurred.

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