Comfort evaluation of the C-124 crew seat (Weber) : one of a series of studies pertaining to the design evaluation of pilot and crew station equipment

Author / Creator

Slechta, Robert F., autthor

Available as

Online

Summary

"This was undertaken in order to evaluate certain design characteristics of the Crew Seat (Weber) in terms of their adequacy for the maintenance of human comfort. The method of evaluation consisted...

"This was undertaken in order to evaluate certain design characteristics of the Crew Seat (Weber) in terms of their adequacy for the maintenance of human comfort. The method of evaluation consisted primarily of subjective and behavioral laboratory tests administered by means of hourly questionnaires presented to seventeen subjects during a voluntary sitting period of seven hours maximum duration. Although the maximum permitted duration of sitting time was 420 minutes, the average voluntary time spent in the seat was 297.5 minutes. On a comfort scale ranging from intolerable discomfort (-10) to ideal comfort (+10) the average of the ratings assigned was -0.97. Hourly scale evaluations of the comfort of the seat revealed that, although some comfort was afforded during the first two hours, after this time the average rating fell sharply into and remained in the discomfort zone. Hourly evaluation of discomfort in specific body regions indicated that for all body regions the average time of onset of discomfort was 13)4.5 minutes, and that the most discomfort was experienced in the buttocks, back, and neck, in that order. Evaluation of individual seat parts revealed certain inadequacies in the seat and back cushions and in the manipulative aspects of adjustment of controls. On the basis of test data and specific comments made by the subjects, recommendations for seat design improvement are made."--Abstract.

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