Aerospace

Duckworth wants to change how airlines downsize seats.

Bravo: The FAA may impose strict guidelines for airlines that reduce seat size

United Makes It Easier for Families to Sit Together

Sen. Tammy Duckworth of the Democratic Party unveiled legislation on Thursday that would force the Federal Aviation Administration to rethink how it tests aeroplane seats. The Emergency Vacating of Airplane Cabin (EVAC) Act, which is a part of proposed legislation, would require the FAA to investigate the effects of carry-on luggage, elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and children on aircraft evacuation timeframes.

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Airlines have been reducing the size of their seats for many years, which prompted Congress to establish new guidelines in 2018 to guarantee that passengers can board and deplane an aircraft in no more than 90 seconds. However, a lot of people have criticized the tests for failing to take things like passengers with disabilities into account.

In testing under conditions that are not representative of real-world situations, Duckworth said, “That worries me.” “Almost every seat on aeroplanes is currently filled when they take off. Because of how modern commercial aviation operates, you cannot just practise evacuating an aircraft that is only 30% full.”

Duckworth, who lost both of her legs while serving in Iraq, doesn’t think she could leave a plane in less than 90 seconds “under the normal settings” she usually travels in.

The FAA said in a statement to CBS News that it is still considering the thousands of public comments on airline seat sizes that it received earlier this year. More than 200 comments including the term “torture” were included in the more than 26,000 submissions the agency received. However, the FAA claims that their testing followed to the standards set forth by Congress.

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According to studies conducted by the FAA in 2019 and 2020, “seat size and spacing had no detrimental effects on the success of emergency evacuations.” The volunteer passengers in the simulations did have a variety of seat sizes, but they did not have to deal with things like smoke, darkness, or luggage, and they travelled in groups of 60, which was far from a full plane.

Additionally, all participants in the simulations were healthy adults under the age of 60. Steve Dickson, who headed the FAA at the time, conceded that the findings were “helpful” but “not necessarily decisive.” A crowded plane does affect the amount of time it takes for an evacuation, according to consumer advocates and some former airline employees, including Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot responsible for the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” emergency landing.

“On our flight, it took more than three minutes to get everyone off the plane, in part because the water was quickly filling the aircraft from back to front. But also because it was actuality and our aircraft was full, “added Sullenberger. Airlines declared that safety was their top concern and that they would keep collaborating with the FAA.

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Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.