HELISAFE

The objective of HeliSafe is to improve the survivability of occupants (cockpit and cabin) in helicopter crashes. The increased survivability will be achieved by an integrated safety concept.

HeliSafe will treat all relevant components: airframes, seat, airbag, and harness as interacting components. This concept will significantly increase the probability of survival. It will reduce the risk of heavy injury at a reduced relative equipment weight. Available real crash cases will be analysed and aviation relevant human injury criteria defined.

Together with an aviation related crash dummy, which is not existent in Europe overall, safety analysis and simulation tool, concept (HOST - Helicopter Occupant Simulation Tools), which will cover the interaction of all relevant safety equipment, will be developed. HOST technology will as much as possible utilise advanced automotive simulation technology. Comprehensive crash test on generic helicopter mock-up will be conducted to validate the HOST tools and the safety system concept.