Member Article

Midlands based Pitch Aircraft Seating Systems to showcase world's thinnest aircraft seat

A trailblazing composite seat concept will be shown to the global aviation industry for the first time at the Aircraft Interiors EXPO (AIX) in Hamburg next month, by Midlands-based Pitch Aircraft Seating Systems.

Co-developed as part of a grant funded project through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) in pursuit of innovative technologies which benefit the aviation sector, the “Q Ultra-Slim” concept is believed to be the world’s thinnest aircraft seat yet conceived.

Utilising sustainable bio-resins in a compression moulding process to create a seat weighing just over 7kg, the project is a collaboration between Pitch, industrial design consultancy Design Q and composite manufacturing and advanced engineering specialists, Cecence with additional support from SHD Composite Materials, Wavelength NDT and Plyable.

By substituting aluminium structural seat components with Fire Smoke Toxicity (FST) compliant composite material, Pitch claims that a short-haul Airbus A320 could reduce its operating weight by a minimum of 500kg through the replacement of existing economy shipsets with “Q Ultra-Slim” seats.

Pitch Aircraft Seating’s Chief Designer, Gary Doy, commented:

“This collaborative project challenges future aircraft cabin design and inflight service, as well as seating, so it’s truly innovative and potentially controversial but this is an important part of helping the industry improve its environmental credentials. To achieve the radical “Q Ultra-Slim” design, the team sacrificed the traditional tray table with the option of integrated cup and smartphone holders.

“By using composite compression moulding, we can manufacture incredibly light yet strong, single piece seats from more sustainable raw materials. As a design-led innovator, Pitch is constantly exploring ultra-lightweight seating solutions that not only deliver leaner operations for airlines but an improved passenger experience as well. We believe there is genuine scope for this seat to be introduced into cabins in the next few years and we look forward to demonstrating it at AIX.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Blackbird Communications .