Our Research Focus

The Cabin Safety Research Team investigates issues of water survival for passengers of commercial aircraft. CAMI maintains a fully-functional water survival tank that is used to evaluate new designs for personal flotation devices, life rafts, slide/rafts, and other emergency equipment. In addition to the evaluation of new designs, we conduct tests of existing of aviation water safety equipment to both strict interpretations of existing regulations and in novel ways using experimental procedures. Results of these tests are used to guide agency regulatory policy and for formulation of FAA standards.

Informative Experience

The Cabin Safety Research Team also provides practical experience of our research topics to people in the aviation industry through the Cabin Safety Research Workshops. For water survival research this includes experience with: Deploying and use of aviation slide-rafts and life rafts, use of seat bottom cushion floatation devices, donning and use of aviation life preservers, and in-water fatigue countermeasures.

Water Survival Research Facility (WSRF)

Originally constructed with the CAMI building and renovated in the 1980's, the Water Survival Research Facility consists of a research tank with a maximum depth of 15 feet, and an attached inflatables lab. The WSRF is primarily used for water survival and equipment research as well as educational activities in conjunction with AAM-400.

After a long life of many active research and educational activities, the research tank is reaching the end of its service life. The CSRT currently in the process of requesting a new facility to expand and support the future of research, certification, investigation, and educational activities possible in support of the FAA's mission.