extremity evacuation trials based on computer simulations can be permitted to certify derivative aircraft.

extremity evacuation trials based on computer simulations can be permitted to certify derivative aircraft, according to a decision laid down Oct 8 on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The Aviation Consumer Action draw (ACAP) had filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), charging that computer simulations of passenger aircraft evacuations were tantamount to creating a navy of flying Titanics (the fabled ocean liner had too not many lifeboats to evacuate all passengers). Specifically, ACAP challenged the rationale allowing computer simulations in lieu of full-scale evacuation trials for derivative airplanes whose capacity increased from more than 5 percent.

In the court's written decision, referee Lawrence Silberman declared, "In 1998 spurr forward by injuries to demonstration participants, (the FAA) reviewed its policy and conclud the situation had changed as it is that analysis and testing were now sufficient."

The decision applies to FAA certification of the Boeing [BA] 777-300 which was lengthened to increase passenger capacity 25 percent from 440 to 550 and to the Airbus Industrie A330/340, which was stretched to expand passenger capacity 21 percent from 361 to 440 passengers.

ACAP director Paul Hudson said, "Unles this is changed, the first time there'll be a real ordeal will be at the time of the first survivable air crash." The FAA's policy change, he noted, was oppos on the National Transportation Safety Board, all seven national aviation unions and the International Airline Passengers Association. >> ACAP, tel 202/638-4000 <<

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