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DECEMBER 1972
onJthe
side
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2
LIGHTWEIGHT SEAT BELT ENDORSED
Weight — that arch enemy of air¬
craft designers the world over is
constantly losing more and more
battles to new techniques, materi¬
als and ingenious designers. The
engineers at American Safety Flight
Systems strive to assist in this de¬
feat and without adding to the arch
enemies first cousin . . . cost.
Seat belts play a part in the
weight of an aircraft; every seat
has one, plus a few spares tucked
away for emergency, and weighing
about one pound each. This ac¬
counts for approximately two fare¬
paying passengers on the larger
aircraft. Recently, a new design of
buckle was introduced by American
Safety Flight Systems, and in as¬
sociation with its end fitting and
connector, had the effect of re¬
ducing the belt assembly by approxi¬
mately 50%. It overcomes the
shortcomings of other systems by
offering the following advantages:
1. Ability to distinguish one end
of the buckle from the other
2. Easy webbing adjustment
3. Easily understood buckle op¬
eration
4. Lightweight
The buckle weighs 2.7 oz. and pro¬
vides the utmost comfort to the
wearer. Its teardrop shape leaves
no doubt as to which end fits the
connector and the word ‘lift’ is im¬
printed on the appropriate end of
the latch. Meeting all requirements
of the F.A.A. TSO, the design is
geared for a long life and incorpor¬
ates a webbing removal feature.
As usual, the year has passed
quickly,- too quickly, for too many
things remain undone. Nineteen
Seventy Two had its share of prob¬
lems and frustrations, but in retro¬
spect, was a good year for American
Safety Flight Systems, Inc.
Since being acquired by Ameri¬
can Safety Equipment Corporation,
much effort has been expended in
advising our customers of our new
corporate identity. The Rocket Jet/
ARD division, and the incorporation
of the Cummings & Sander aviation
restraint systems under the ASFS
banner, are now generally well
This allows the customer to remove
and launder the webbing, which is
far more economical than renewing
the webbing if it becomes soiled.
Finished in durable aluminum an¬
odize, the assembly projects a very
attractive appearance and many
major airlines are standardizing on
this particular item.
known, and the effectiveness of this
merger is being felt and appreci¬
ated.
To all of our friends, we say thank
you for your interest over the past
year, and extend to you our best
wishes for the holiday season, and
a happy, healthy and prosperous
New Year.
As for resolutions ... we resolve
to maintain our position for excel¬
lent service and superior products
and try even harder to support you,
the customer, in every way during
1973.
Is It Christmas Again Already?
WE ENCOURAGE
INFLATION
How do you inflate a 100 cubic
feet liferaft from a gas source cap¬
able of filling 25 cubic feet?
The solution can be found by
using the new American Safety
Flight Systems aspirator. Basically,
this device utilizes the high press¬
ure gas being released from a small
cylinder to open doors and suck in
air from the atmosphere to make up
the deficiency.
In designing the 30-man raft,
weight and volume was a problem
and the normal type of inflation
system would not have been suitable
with its two heavy, bulky cylinders.
Testing each aspirator for flow and leak.
American Safety Flight Systems en¬
gineers created a new inflation sys¬
tem consisting of a stored gas
source, pressure regulator and as¬
pirator. When inflation is initiated,
the pressure regulator (also de¬
signed and produced at American
Safety Flight Systems) delivers a
specific amount of gas at a specific
pressure to the aspirator mechan¬
ism. This high pressure injection
creates a negative pressure area
below the doors which then open
and allow ambient air to enter, mix
with the stored gas and inflate the
liferaft. This ratio of entrained air
to stored gas is 4:1.
The vital statistics of this amaz¬
ing device are:
Overall Length ...
.5.5"
Throat Diameter .
.1.3"
Mounting Flange
Diameter..
..3"
Weight.
..8 oz.
External envelope after
Installation .1.75" L x
2" Diameter
Final pressure achieved in the
liferaft buoyancy tubes is 2 pounds
per square inch and is reached in
20 seconds, providing survivors of
a ditched aircraft with a flotation
device very rapidly in times of
emergency.
HOT LINE?
munications link between customers
and American Safety Flight Sys¬
tems, Inc. we have installed, at
Glendale, a Western Union TWX
machine.
It is attended during regular busi¬
ness hours and overnight messages
are distributed at eight o’clock every
working morning. Our TWX number
is 910-497-2275.
Your communication will receive
immediate attention, so please feel
free to use this service.
“ON THE SAFE SIDE”
To those of you who missed the
first issue may we extend our wel¬
come, and may we restate our ob¬
jectives in publishing this news¬
letter.
It is intended to provide contact
between American Safety Flight Sys¬
tems, Inc. and purchasing and en¬
gineering groups in customer or¬
ganizations across the world. Nat¬
urally, it is very difficult for us to
visit all of you as often as we would
prefer and through these pages we
hope to describe to you the scope
of our organization and how we can
best serve you.
The initial issue was extremely
well received, and the inquiry card
was returned in quite large num¬
bers. We encourage you to let us
have your reaction and comments
on our efforts and what improve¬
ment can be made to serve and in¬
form you better.
F.A.A. APPROVALS-
ANOTHER FIRST
The applicable TSO for seat belts
in aircraft is TSO-C22. It was rec¬
ently modified and reissued as an
‘f change. This change provides
that in all future designs and pro¬
duction of seat belts, the webbing
portion must comply with upgraded
requirements in the area of flamma¬
bility.
American Safety Flight Systems
conducted tests in the Corporate en¬
gineering facility laboratory and
confirmed that the webbing under
test more than met the new require¬
ments. After drawing modification
and submittal to F.A.A., we received
what we believe to be the first
blanket approval issued for the re¬
vised TSO covering every seat belt
produced by A.S.F.S.
INERTIA REELS AND
RETRACTORS
The response to our announce¬
ment that these two items have
been added to our line was fantas¬
tic. In addition to the traditional
uses for this equipment, many novel
and unusual applications have been
suggested; however, the question of
installation methods and limitations
of the products was raised by sev¬
eral customers.
Generally, the installation is
achieved by a single-point mounting,
but should you have any questions
concerning the installation of these
items in your equipment, please
write or telephone and our consult¬
ant will advise you accordingly.
A.S.F.S. AT THE
NBAA SHOW
The reaction to our participation
in the NBAA show in Cincinnati was
very rewarding and exceeded our ex¬
pectations. Hundreds of visitors
stopped by the booth and quizzed
our staff concerning the displayed
restraint systems and inflatables.
Manning the booth was the East
Coast regional representative, Mr.
Don Hall, and our restraint system
specialist, Mr. ‘Pat’ Cunningham.
Great interest was shown in the re¬
tractor mechanisms exhibited; their
light weight and small profile drew
many favorable comments. Also on
display, and receiving much atten¬
tion, were F.A.A. approved life vests
and life rafts designed for business
and executive aircraft.
The show was a great success
and it was encouraging to see the
obvious upswing in the biz-jet mar¬
ket.
PERSONALITIES
Each issue we introduce an em¬
ployee who many of you may deal
with but never get to meet.
This month . . .
FRED STEPPINGS
Contracts Administrator
A native of Canada, Fred came to
us seven years ago from Canadair
in Montreal. Flis prime responsibil¬
ity^ aT-Ameffean-^afety Right Sys¬
tems is the administration of gov¬
ernment contracts; preparation of
responses to IFB’s and RFQ’s and
administration of commercial pur¬
chase orders pertaining to products
such as quick disconnects, safety
valves, pressure reducers and oxy¬
gen valves.
Asked about hobbies, Fred re¬
plied, “What hobbies! I’ve just
bought a new house.” This accounts
for the fertilizer in his pants cuffs,
and for reading Better Flomes and
Gardens during the lunch break;
however, for information on part
numbers, prices and deliveries —
ask Fred.
MIDWEST
REPRESENTATION
We are represented in the mid¬
west region (Dallas to Chicago) by
the George E. FHarris Co. of Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
George, who pilots his own air¬
plane to cover this large territory,
has been in the aviation-aerospace
area for many years and is very fa¬
miliar with the American Safety line
of products.
To assure our customers top
quality service, George will attend
to the A.S.F.S. product line person¬
ally, with the full support of factory
personnel as required, so if you
need his services, call or write,
George E. Harris & Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 837
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74105
Phone: (918) 582-8458
IN ERRATUM
Oops! We goofed. Two seat belt
catalog sheets have errors on them
and we request that you hand
amend your copies until reprints
are available.
Title: “Connectors and Harness Fit¬
tings” —Line 2
Connector shown as 449125
should be 447983;
Connector shown as 447983
should be 449125;
Connector shown as 448702
should be 443404;
Connector shown as 443404
should be 448702.
Title: “Seat Belt Extensions” —The
line drawings at the lower right
corner are shown in reverse po¬
sitions, i.e., the drawing for met-
al-to-metal extensions is shown
alongside the cam extension list.
CAPTION CONTEST
We failed ... not one of our us¬
ually quick witted staff could come
up with a really good punch line
for this cartoon.
We know someone out there can
do better than the following:
“This is the only belt drivers
should have in 1973.”
“You need a lot of restraint for
this job.”
The metal-to-metal extension has
the buckle at one end and the
connector at the other. The cam
extension has the buckle at one
end and the black plastic tip at
the other.
MILITARY PRODUCTS
The Rocket Jet/ARD Division of
American Safety Flight Systems has
received a follow-on production or¬
der for RSSK-8A1 survival kits for
the A4, A7 and S3A U.S. Navy air¬
craft. This division is a prime sup¬
plier of survival kits used with the
Douglas ESCAPAC I series ejection
seat.
American Safety Flight Systems
new qualified rigid container for
multi-place life rafts will undergo
O.T. & E. in the U.S.A.F. early next
year in the C-130 and C-141 air¬
craft. This concept of packaging in-
flatables in rigid, protective con¬
tainers is expected to increase the
service life of the rafts by providing
better protection from the environ¬
ment, rough handling, and in-flight
conditions.
Those units stored in the aircraft
wing-wells have a built-in safety de¬
vice to puncture the life raft in the
event of an inadvertent in-flight in¬
flation;: ~
“I don’t worry about a little ‘rain’-
deer, but clear air turbulence.”
A prize is offered — either a
smart new Buco brand motorcycle
helmet or a beautiful trouser belt
from our Krasnow division. The edi¬
tor’s warped sense of humor will
prevail in the final decision and the
name of the winner will be published
(unless otherwise requested) in the
next issue of “On the Safe Side.”
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OXYGEN, AIR AND
LIQUID QUICK
DISCONNECTS
American Safety Flight Systems
designs and manufactures a fine
range of quick disconnects for avi¬
ation and industrial purposes. These
units provide leak-free passage of:
Oxygen Various Chemicals
Gases Engine Oils
Solvents Compressed Air
Coolants Hydraulic Oils
The primary use of these quick
disconnects is in the pitot and static
line installations on civilian and mil¬
itary aircraft. In service, they have
proven to be extremely reliable, save
much maintenance test time and
reduce damage to expensive air¬
borne instruments during installa¬
tion, removal and bench checks.
These quick disconnects which
have been put to many other uses
in aviation and industrial fields, are
available with a variety of end fit¬
tings, and with or without check
valves. Positive mechanical bayonet
locking between the two halves pre¬
vent the inadvertent separation of
mating halves, yet are easily en¬
gaged or disengaged manually. A
visual engagement feature is part
of each assembly. Two, three, and
four pin polarity features of the dis¬
connect series eliminate the possi¬
bility of inadvertently connecting
incompatible systems.
We invite your inquiry concern¬
ing any application you may have
for these lightweight items.
