How long will a seat cushion float in a ditching?

Question

I have heard so much conflicting data. I don't know what to believe.

Answer 1

Seat cushions are made to an FAA TSO (Federal Aviation Administration Technical Standard Order) This is a specification that the FAA puts together that all cushion manufacturers must meet. I believe the standard for cushions is TSO-C72. Per this specification the bouyancy requirement is:

5.0.1 Buoyancy Standard. The device must be shown by the tests specified in paragraph 7.0.1 to be capable of providing not less than 14 pounds of buoyancy in fresh water at 85° F. for a period of 8 hours.

This is a paragraph from the spec. I know this doesn't answer your question but it shows what the design met.

Even if you survive the crash and manage to get to a flotation device, the sharks are gonna get you.

Answer 2

Floating Seat Cushion

Answer 3

Not sure what data you have heard, but I am sure the new stuff floats for weeks, the real question or consideration is water temperature and the amount of sharks per square mile. In airline crashes how many people have been rescued hanging onto their seat cushions have you heard about. An airliner crossing the big pond flys at about 35000 feet, do you think you will be coherent enough to be hanging onto your seat cushion?

Answer 4

ditching is a sick joke the airlines play on people. A plane that is designed to land on the ground will sink like a rock after it crashes into the water. If you think a water landing is possible, just think of landing a 737 at 100+ miles per hour in the water and one of the engines snags a wave then the plane cartwheels and lands upside down before sinking. What good will your seat cushion do you then?

Answer 5

Yeah, not the flotation question, it wil float forever.

They will not become water saturated and sink in the period that you can stay alive in the water, die or get rescued (or get eaten). If you are in that situation you might as well grab anything else in reach that floats and tie it together, more seats, breifcases, blow up dolls and - yes - bodies in an extreme survival situation.

Rest thir souls, Alaskan flight 261 flotations washed up on the shore for weeks.

The shark thing - depends on where you go down and the local sharks behaivior. If you are bleeding then you are a dog bisquit leading to the main meal and you might get it if you buddy is bleeding and no you. The shark thing is a draw of the straws.

Your seat will float almost forever, if left adrift with or without you clutching onto it with your dead cold or warm hands.

Answer 6

The real question should be if you survive a plane crash in the water and are able to get a seat cushion out with you how long would it keep you afloat..... Has this ever happened?

Answer 7

Airline seats are designed to be lightweight, but at the same time strong and fire resistant, while also taking into account passenger comfort. A typical design is an aluminium frame with blocks of urethane foam attached to it. A layer of fire-resistant fabric, for instance Kevlar, goes over this, and at the top is a layer of cloth or leather.

If you are refering to airline cushions.

Answer 8

It is not an air cushion, its just foam that is less dense than water, but it will absorb water... so not speaking as an expert, but just a smart guy, I would say 30 mins... just a guess, but i dont think it would be less than that, as the cushion would still provide flotation until it is compleltely saturated...

Answer 9

Excellent

Answer 10

You've gotten conflicting information? Well good thing your posted your question here. I'm sure none of the answers here will conflict or cause you any further confusion. Everything will be crystal clear now.