Seatbelt Airbags Provide Improved Safety for Aircraft Passengers Today & Automobile Passengers Next Year

Expert Commentary Available: Aviation Seatbelt Airbags in Service & Saving Lives Since 2001

PHOENIX — 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;
• How seatbelt airbags increase accident survivability;
• 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.