That changed in early 2010 when we built another mock-up and started to seriously scope out the project and define the features that it needed. We knew we could take some significant weight out of the rear seat with a redesign, and make it more comfortable at the same time. With an official go-ahead, Engineering started to design the new seat, structural changes, and interior pieces. It still took about 15 months from that point until we had new seats in production.
The initial scope included 60/40 seat back split, more comfortable seating, recline, 3 point safety belts and the associated changes to go with adding a 5th seating location like a 3rd headset jack for the back and an extra oxygen port. The scope changed some over the course of the project. We added LATCH anchor and tether locations, more recline than initially designed and a cargo net in the back.
Designing a seat for modern aircraft is not an easy task. The testing loads and occupant protection requirements are clearly spelled out in the regulations and guidance, but when trying to add fuctionality, reduce weight, keep R&D and production costs in check, all while maintaining a schedule, it becomes an incredibly challenging design problem. But as engineers, this is what we live for!
