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Williams Working on Formula 1-Based Airplane Seats for Airbus

Who would have thought creating a new seat to be used in airplanes is such a complicated business? This week, it was announced that no less than five companies are spending £1.4 million on an 18-month long project that will see the creation of a new seat for the business and premium economy class.
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Photo: Williams advanced engineering
The five companies are Williams Advanced Engineering, JPA Design, British Airways, SWS Certification, and Airbus, and their effort is meant to create a seat that will both be comfortable enough to be enjoyed on long-haul trips, and also save some fuel.

That's right, save some fuel. Weight is one of the main factors that contribute to the fuel economy of an airplane, and coming up with lighter components is a solid way of cutting down consumption.

As per the five, if the seats in 12 long-haul planes the likes of the Airbus A350 are replaced with lighter ones (not by much, just 4 kg), that should translate into cutting 942,000 kg of CO2 emissions per year and saving the airline $195,600 in fuel.

Each of the five companies will bring their own expertise into the project. Williams, a name better known for its involvement in motorsports, will contribute Formula One composites to the project.

“Combining Formula One technology, world class design and a laser-like focus on safety across this consortium will deliver significant enhancements for airlines, passengers and the environment,” said in a statement Nigel Smith, Managing Director of SWS Certification.

“We look forward to playing a crucial role in delivering these innovative, safe new products that seek to revolutionize aircraft interiors for global benefit.”

The final product should be compatible with a number of airplanes, including the Airbus A320, A330 and A350, and the group expect orders of about 1,000 seats per year.

More details on the project can be found in the document attached below.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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