Rotorcraft
Research group studies airbags for helicopters
European-funded research project Helisafe, led by Marignane, France-based Eurocopter, is studying airbags and harnesses as a possible means of enhancing th

European-funded research project Helisafe, led by Marignane, France-based Eurocopter, is studying airbags and harnesses as a possible means of enhancing the safety of helicopter occupants. A Helisafe engineer emphasized that the project is still in the research stage, so practical applications of the airbags and harnesses are probably several years away.

A researcher working on the Helisafe project told AIN that future body protection devices may work in three steps. In the first step, the occupant’s body will be pinned to the seat. Second, load limiters will control the body’s forward movement while airbags will cushion the end of the body’s movement.

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