With the rise in demand for luxury travel and the subsequent demands of the airline industry, aircraft cabin interiors are experiencing a big push towards lighter and more novel designs. With fierce competition, the industry strives to introduce unique designs for a tailored passenger experience.

Every new design and retrofit requires a series of customized structural and abuse tests to ensure that every passenger is safe in an emergency. With decades of experience in supporting the aircraft safety industry and structural testing for all types of furniture and monuments, such as mini-suites, crew stowage, and lavatories, MGA Research Corporation is well-versed in the processes and requirements of structural and injurious certifications.

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Key Aircraft Structural Testing Standards

As cabin furniture designs and material selections embrace the new age of luxury travel, the industry has adopted existing standards and guidance to facilitate adequate structural safety testing. Two key standards typically referenced are Aerospace Standards (A.S.) 6960 and 8049.

• A.S. 6960 is a broad standard covering all types of furniture on commercial aircraft, including mini suites, galleys, lavatories, etc. It outlines the basic reliability requirements for such furniture, including mass retention and durability of each component. For current quasi-static loading conditions, A.S. 6960 draws much of its foundation from A.S. 8049.
• While A.S. 8049 is typically applied to seats, the industry has adapted it to apply to furniture as well, using the same directional loads (Forward, Aft, Side, Up, and Down) and similar loading factors. Another important reference for cabin interior testing best practices is GAMA publication No. 13. This document provides guidance on how to properly set up and execute structural certification testing for monuments.

As the industry continues to innovate to meet the expectations of everyday passengers, the need for durability testing has increased. Key standards such as RTCA DO-160G, in conjunction with A.S.6960, have been vital to ensuring the reliability of these novel designs. With the ever-expanding push to continuously improve passenger safety, structural dynamic testing for existing 9G furniture is soon on the horizon.

Why MGA Is a Trusted Partner in Aircraft Safety Testing

MGA Research Corporation has long been at the forefront of the aircraft industry through our expertise and history in safety testing. As layouts have evolved, we have adapted quickly by developing test rigs and processes that can handle larger structures, higher loads, and more intricate load paths. In turn, this creates the ability to test larger, more complex monuments in one project. This was possible primarily because of the relationships we have built throughout the aircraft industry and with the SAE itself. Some of our key advantages are:

• Large network of laboratories: Over 12 laboratories across North America serving more than 6 industries. We can leverage our resources and versatility to execute even the most intricate and complex test campaigns, thus reducing lead times and fewer handoffs.
• State-of-the-art equipment and team: Our experienced engineers can apply loads along multiple axes simultaneously, all while recording over 100 data channels, with the peace of mind that a complete and accurate data set is on its way.‍
• Comprehensive sled carriage: Our select facilities host an industry-leading aircraft sled carriage, paired with over 12 high G accelerator sleds. This piece of equipment has the ability to deliver all pulses required under 14 CFR parts 23, 25, 27, and 29.

• Large inventory of environmental chambers: Over 200+ environmental chambers ranging from small reach-in chambers to our mega-chambers, capable of reaching -50°C to over 160°C with continuous monitoring allows us to accommodate samples of various sizes and conditioning requirements.

Our deep roots in safety and reliability testing have made MGA a valuable partner to the aircraft industry. Whether supporting the development of standards and recommended practices or meeting our customers’ urgent needs, our teams strive to make MGA’s resources and experience available to the industry.

For more information on aircraft safety testing, visit https://www.mgaresearch.com/capabilities/aircraft-testing. To request a quote or contact one of our engineers, fill out our content form today.

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