PASSENGER SEATS AND CABIN ARRANGEMENTS

PASSENGER SEATS AND CABIN ARRANGEMENTS

Passenger seats are attached to seat tracks in the cabin floor and may be arranged for different passenger configurations by moving the seats forward or aft on the seat tracks. The seat tracks consist of beams of special cross section and are bolted to the floor structure. The seat tracks are provided with circular cutouts for the seat studs and lock pins to be fitted into.

Passenger seats can be anything from single to quadruple and for some wide body aircraft nine seats abreast in arrangement and contains within the back of the seat facilities for table attachment and literature pockets. Some means of luggage restraint is under the seat for “carry-on” luggage to prevent this luggage moving about the cabin floor when positive or negative “G” loads are experienced. 

Arm resets are provided for comfort. However, included in the design are ashtrays, in-flight entertainment channel selectors, and in some cases, chime calls for flight attendants. Depending upon the type of configuration of the aircraft seating arrangement, seat angle adjustment facilities mat be included.

In a typical aircraft, passenger seats are arranged nine abreast in the first-class area (except for the first two rows and last row) with a row of quintuple-seat units down the centre, an aisle on both sides, and a row of double-seat units outboard of each aisle. The first two rows of centre seats are quadruple-seat units. There are no centre seats in the last row of first class seats. Passenger seats in the economy area are installed nine abreast with a row of double-seat units outboard of each aisle and extend from the mid lavatories "C" and "D" to the aft passenger doors.

Quintuple seats are installed across the aircraft centreline and extend from the G5 galley unit aft to the third row of triple seats forward of lavatories "E" and "F", with breaks for stowage facilities.

Identification: Passenger seat units are identified as first class and coach, with variations incorporated due to location within the aircraft. First-class seats are double, triple, and quadruple units. Each quintuple seat arrangement consists of a double and triple seat unit. The first class double-seat units are equipped for right, left, centre-left and centre-right installation. The triple and quadruple seats are equipped for centre installation only.

Coach seats are double, triple, and quadruple units. Each quintuple seat arrangement consists of a double and a triple seat unit. The coach double-seat units are equipped for right, left, centre-left, and centre-right installation. The triple and quadruple seats are equipped for centre installation only.

Attachment: Passenger seats are attached to floor-mounted tracks and can be positioned in the fore-and-aft direction in 1-inch increments. Studs in the aft and forward legs secure the seat unit to the track. A shear locking pin mechanism is installed in the vicinity of the aft leg. The lock mechanism operates with a positive snap action to place and retain the lock in the locked and the unlocked positions.

The lock mechanism allows the seat to be installed or removed from the aircraft without the use of tools. The aisle face of both leg shrouds is marked with a line of contrasting colour to enable the centreline of the seat track locking pin to be easily determined.

Interchange ability: All seat units of any configuration are interchangeable to right, left, or centre mounting. Each unit has complete provisions for special aisle requirements, such as aisle lights and hostess call lights.

Backrest: Each passenger seat is equipped with an adjustable backrest containing a backrest cushion and provisions for stowage, restraints, wire and cable routing, and equipment installation as required. The backrest of coach seats can be adjusted to positive stops at 21 degrees, 30 degrees, and 34 degrees from the vertical in a typical aircraft. In this aircraft, first-class seat backrests can be adjusted to positive stops at 21 degrees, 34 degrees, and 38 degrees from the vertical. The backrest incorporates means to counterbalance its own weight and to add sufficient force to move the backrest forward from any recline position when the recline lock control button on the armrest is depressed. The backrest houses an environmental control compartment containing a passenger oxygen system, a circulating air system, and related wiring. The compartment is closed by a hinged cover, spring-loaded to the open position. The cover is secured by a solenoid-operated latch, activated by a remote aneroid sensor when ambient cabin pressure fails to a preset level.