GRP Light Weight Carbon Fibre Pilot Seat

carbon fibre seat

GRP Leight Weight Carbon Fibre Seat Moulding.

More than a supporting role.........

From lift off to touch down Elite Composites will be supporting the pilots in more ways than one. Both Andy and Colin will be totally supported by our body moulded carbon fibre seats.

The carbon fibre concept
Working closely with Andy Elson (designer, pilot, project leader) and Andy Cox (Co designer and composite engineer) a manufacture process using Carbon Fibre Moulding to make the seats, was developed and agreed. Carbon fibre was chosen because of it's extremly high strength to weight ratio.

A casting role The pilots dressed in film protected space suits and had casts made from their bodies. The highly skilled technicians at Odstock Hospital carried out this very delicate work to make sure the contours of the carbon fibre mould match the contours of the pilots in their suits.

A first class production Once the scrim reinforced plaster profiles were dried and sealed, casts were taken from them. These casts were manufactured using epoxy resin and fine cloth; this ensured shrinkage was kept to the absolute minimum.
Superb pattern work and careful grafting in of these casts ensured that the finished pattern/mould was just what was required for the taylor made carbon fibre seats.

A soft landing Each of the pilot's carbon fibre seats has a parachute well moulded into the bottom of the seat and parachutes will be carried in case of an emergency. As the balloon ascends the pilots will have their seats in the vertical position, allowing them to carry out fine flight adjustments and various experiments. During the descent the seats should again be in the vertical position. If needed, specially designed supporting struts allow for the seats to move smoothly into the horizontal position during descent, giving maximum support for the pilots in what will be, hopefully, a soft and safe landing. Read more about Elite Composites edge of space carbon fibre antics.

 

Elite Composites
Unit 1
Lower Hoddern Farm
Peacehaven (Near Brighton)
East Sussex
BN10 8AP
UK

+44(0)1273 586999
info@elite-composites.co.uk

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