U.S.

Depaltmsnt of Transportation Federal Aviation Adminktration

Advisory Circular
Inkted

Subject

APPROVAL OF MODIFIED SEATING tiPPRo= ~~ SYsrEMs my ATECHNICALflANDARDORDER

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AC No: 2%2!5A chpnge:

1. PURPOSE. This Advisory Circular (AC) providesinformation, clarification, andprocedural guidanceconcerningthe approvaland installationof modified TechnicalStandardOrder(TSO) seatingsystemsin U.S. type certificatedaircraft. 2. v. AC 21-25,Approval of Modified SeatsandBerths Initially Approved Under a Technical StandardOrder,dated4/24/89,is canceled. 3. -Gm. Title 14 of the Codeof FederalRegulations(14 CFR) partsand sections: 14 CFRpart 21, sections21.101,21.303,21.305,21.601,21.607, and21.611; 14 CFRpart 23, sections23.561,23.562,23.785(former CAR 3.390),and 23.853; 14 CFR part 25, sections 25.561,25.562,25.785(former CAR 4b.358),and 25.853; 14 CFR part 27, sections27.561,27.562, 27.785, and 27.853; 14 CFR part 29, section29.561,29.562,29.785, and29.853; 14 CFR part 43, section43.13; 14 CFRpart 45, section45.15; SubpartD of 14CFR parts23,25,27, and 29; and 14 CFR part25, appendixF, partsI andII. 4. &&-!KGROUND.
. The designof seatingsystems(seats andberths)must be approvedby the FederalAviation Administration (FAA). Accordingto section21.305,this approval may be obtainedundera partsmanufacturer approval(PMA), undera TSO authorization,in conjunctionwith type certificationprocedures (in an original type certificate,by supplemental type certificate,or by amendmentto thetype certificate),or in any othermannerapprovedby the Administrator. A seator berth(article) approved aspart of an aircraft type designor undera PMA is approvedfor installation in an aircraft type with an associated approved interior arrangement; however,an article initiaily approvedunderTSO procedures is approvedfor designandproductionof the article only, and a separate approvalis requiredfor installationof that article in an aircraft. a. e .

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b. TSO &WOW&. Seatingsystemsproducedby a manufacturer holding a TSO authorization must havemet the performance standards described in eitherTSO-C39,TSO-C!39a, or TSO-C39b which incorporate part of National Aircraft Standard (NAS) 809,or TSO-C127,which incorporates the availabledesigncriteria,tests,and acceptance criteria of the Societyof Automotive Engineers (SAE) AerospaceStandard (AS) 8049.

AC 2 l -25A

613197

. Modrfied Many aircraftownersand operators chooseto alter seatingsystemsby incorporatingsuchfeaturesas differentupholstery: Any changeto thesearticles constitutesa modification that must be separately approved by the FAA, regardless of whetherthe original article hada TSO approvalor was approved aspart of the aircraft type design. It is the modifiers responsibilityto ensurethatthe modified article is approvedby the FAA. It shouldbe emphasized that replacement of a componentof a seatcushionsystemwith a componentof a different designconstitutesa modification requiringfurtherapproval. The local FAA engineering or flight standards office shouldbe contacted regardingapprovalof the modified article andthe basisfor the approval. It is recommended that the initial approvalbe obtainedfor all anticipatedcombinationsof dresscover,foam, andfire-blocking layer in the seatcushionsystemdesignso that the entire seating systemwill continueto be in an approvedconfigurationafterremoval of the dresscover or foam for cleaningor replacement. C.

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(1) m. Each applicantseekingapprovalof a modified TSO article for installation in an aircraft must showthat the alterationof the article is doneper the designalteration performance requirements of section43.13,the applicableairworthinessrequirements for that aircraft type designas specifiedin paragraphs (a) and(b) of section2 1.101,or the requirements of section 21.611if the applicantis the articlemanufacturer andelectsto showthat the modified article still meetsthe TSO standards. (2) wDesien. The personmodifying an aircraft seatingsystemshouldevaluatetwo aspects of design:the designof the article itself andthe designof its installation. (a) s. Compliancewith the standards of TSO-C127,TSO-C39, TSO-C39a,TSO-C39b,or the applicableairworthinessstandards may not, alone,ensurethat the article hasno unsafefeaturesthat experience hasshownto be hazardous.The persons modifying the article shoulddeterminethat the designcontainsno hazardous features. (b) Design. An article which, of itself, hasno unsafedesignfeatures may still createa hazardasinstalled(for example,if it blocks an exit). The designof the articles placementin an interior arrangement shouldbe evaluated to ensurethat it resultsin no hazard. (3) m. Subpart D of parts23,25,27, or 29 describesthe standards for materialsandworkmanshipto be usedin fabricatingor modifying aircraft articles. The materialsusedfor the modified articlesshouldcontinueto be of a quality that meetsthosestandards or the TSO standards.Any componentof the modified article requiringprotectionbecause of the type of material usedshouldbeprotectedin serviceagainstdeterioration, loss of strength,or reductionin flame-retardant coatingeffectiveness that may resultfrom weathering,corrosion, abrasion,or other causes.Workmanshipshouldalsobe consistentwith high-grademanufacturing practices.

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613197

AC21-25A

v. For eachseatingsystempreviouslyproduced, tested,and certified eitherto structuralspecifications(i.e., NAS 809)or to dynamicperformance standards (i.e., SAE AS 8049),the effect of the modification on the validity of thosetestsshouldbe addressed;For example,in NAS 809,subparagraph 4.3.1 (governingthe statictesting of seatsand berths),useof the dimensionsspecifiedfor the locationsof the sideloadsandup loadsrequiresthat the seatbottom and back cushionsystemsbe in placeandthat the seatcushionis compressed 2 inches. If a cushionis removedfor the testor if a seatcushioncompression variesfrom 2 inches,the location for applying the loads must be changed accordingly. Modification of a cushionsystemmay necessitate an analysis to verify that the specificationsarestill met. If the specificationsarenot met, additionaltestsor analyseswill be necessary.Additionally, modificationswhich were considered minor modifications underthe structuralspecificationsrequiredby TSO-C39b,suchas seatbeltreplacement, may be considered major modifications on TSO-Cl27 seats dueto the potentialeffectson dynamic response characteristics.Someexamplesof modificationsto TSO-C127seatsthat will requiresubstantiation andlikely will requirere-testingto verify continuedcompliancewith dynamic requirements are:
(4)

(a) Seatcushionreplacement, dueto possibleincrease on pelvic andlumbar column compressiveloading underthe downwardand forwardcombinedloadingof Test 1. (b) Seatbeltreplacement, dueto possibleincreased stretchingof the webbingor slippagein the adjusterwhich would affect occupantresponse andretention. (c) Dresscoverreplacement on forwardfacing flight attendant seatsequippedwith shoulderharnesses, dueto the possibility of reducedfriction of the fabric andthe increased potential for occupantsubmarining.
(d) Modifications involving passenger entertainment systemcomponents, both in-arm andin seatbacks,to assess their effect on the dynamicperformanceof the seatingsystemand head injury criterion (HIC), as appropriate.

The modified seatingsystemshouldbe shown to meetthe applicableairworthinessflammability requirements.Dependingon the type certification basisor operationin which the aircraft is used,this may includethe requirements in part 25, Appendix F, which is incorporated by reference in TSOC39b andTSOC127.

Fire-

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(a) The flammability standards, for transportcategoryairplanes, requiresan oil burner test of a setof seatcushiontest specimens which represent the productionseatcushionassemblies.A changeto the seatcushionsystemdesignmight affectthe flammability characteristics.Thus, a new con@uration or combinationof foam, fire blocking layer, anddresscoverwill requireadditional testingand approvalto further establishcompliancewith the flammability standards.As describedin part 25, appendixF, part II, section(a)(3),dresscoversmay be qualified by similarity. (b) AC 25.853-1,Flammability Requirements for Aircraft SeatCushions,provides additional information on the approvalof seatcushiondresscoverson the basisof similarity. If there is a questionasto whethera designchangeto a cushionsystemis significant enoughto requireretesting,the local FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) shouldbe consulted.
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AC 21-25A

613197

(6)

Markinn.

(a) If the modified seating system incorporates only a minor change by the manufacturer holding the TSO authorization, the provisions of section 21.61 l(a) apply, and the TSO marking need not to be changed.
(b) If the modified seating system incorporates a major change by the mam&cturer holding the TSO authorization and if the modified article continues to meet the TSO requirements, the provisions of section 2 1.6 11 (b) apply. The manufacturer must remark the modified article to show the new type or model designation and must obtain a new TSO authorization. (c) If a modifier other than the original manufacturer incorporates any design change in anexisting TSO seating system, the provisions of section 2 1.611 (c) apply. If the modifier is a manufacturer, the manufacturer must apply for a separate TSO authorization to obtain TSO approval under part 21. The modified article would be marked as any other newly authorized TSO article according to section 21.607(d), with all previous TSO markings deleted.
(d) A modifier, other than a manufacturer seeking TSO authorization, may obtain approval for either an alteration under part 43 or a minor design change under the applicable airworthiness regulations (part 23,25,27 or 29). The modifiers nameplate should be added without removing the original TSO markings only if the original manufacturer or the modifier has certified to the FAA that the modified article continues to meet all the requirements of the TSO. If the modified article is approved under a PMA, it would be marked according to section 45.15 and the article will have no TSO markings (permanent removal of the TSO number only is sticient).

(e) If a modified seating system does not continue to meet TSO. standards, the TSO identification on the original manufacturers nameplate should be permanently removed in a manner such that it cannot be restored (permanent removal of the TSO number only is sufficient). A seating system so modified and installed in an aircraft should be approved as part of the aircraft type design interior arrangement in conjunction with the type certification procedures of part 2 1. The modified article would be marked according to section 45.15 if the modification is made by a manufacturer under a PMA. * (f) A seat cushion system may also receive separate TSO approval as a flotation device under TSO-C72( ). The TSO marking for the flotation device should appear on a nonremovable part of the article and be accessible. (g) Replacement of the dress cover, foam, or any other seat cushion system component with one of a different design constitutes a modification requiring FAA approval, as discussed in paragraph 4c of this AC. The seat cushion system should be marked on a nonremovable, accessible location, Complies with 14 CFR section 25.853(c), effective 1 l/26/84, according to TSOC39b or TSO-C127, as well as marked with the other information described in section 21.607(d). The individual components should be marked in a manner which will allow verification that only approved configurations of components are installed together.

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AC21-25A

b. Conclusion.

(1) After succes&lly showingcompliancewith the applicableregulations, the modifier should receiveapprovalfrom the FAA for the designchangeor alteration.
(2) The modifier may receivemamkturing authorization underoneof the methodsspecifiedin section21.305after successfullyshowingcompliancewith the applicableregulations.

Abbas Rizvi Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division

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