A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft having a mechanical failure sensor includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap is positionable adjacent to the occupant. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an aircraft mechanical failure by the mechanical failure sensor, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.

A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft having a mechanical failure sensor includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap is positionable adjacent to the occupant. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an aircraft mechanical failure by the mechanical failure sensor, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.

An ejection seat may comprise a seatback, a headrest located at an upper end of the seatback, and a pitot tube rotatably coupled to the headrest. A pitot restraint assembly may be operably coupled to the pitot tube. The pitot restraint assembly may be configured to translate between a restrained state and a released state. The pitot tube may rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position in response to the pitot restraint assembly translating to the released state.

An ejection seat may comprise a seatback, a headrest located at an upper end of the seatback, and a pitot tube rotatably coupled to the headrest. A pitot restraint assembly may be operably coupled to the pitot tube. The pitot restraint assembly may be configured to translate between a restrained state and a released state. The pitot tube may rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position in response to the pitot restraint assembly translating to the released state.

An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.

An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.

An ejection seat may comprise a seatback, a headrest located at an upper end of the seatback, and a pitot tube rotatably coupled to the headrest. A pitot restraint assembly may be operably coupled to the pitot tube. The pitot restraint assembly may be configured to translate between a restrained state and a released state. The pitot tube may rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position in response to the pitot restraint assembly translating to the released state.

An ejection seat may comprise a seatback, a headrest located at an upper end of the seatback, and a pitot tube rotatably coupled to the headrest. A pitot restraint assembly may be operably coupled to the pitot tube. The pitot restraint assembly may be configured to translate between a restrained state and a released state. The pitot tube may rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position in response to the pitot restraint assembly translating to the released state.

A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft. The modal restraint system includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch from the unfixed mode to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an operational parameter that is beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.

A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft. The modal restraint system includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch from the unfixed mode to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an operational parameter that is beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.