History and Development of Airline Cabin Safety

Fons Schaefers has over 40 years of aviation regulatory experience, gained in various aviation sectors. Between 1981 and 1996 he held several aircraft certification, research, and development positions in the field of cabin safety within Fokker Aircraft. He participated in 5 aircraft accident investigation teams in 3 different continents. In 1996, he joined a Dutch airline to manage the application for an Air Operator Certificate and developed its Safety Management System. He participated in international bodies engaged in aviation safety advice and rulemaking, including U.S. FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) and the European EASA Safety Standards Consultative Committee. In 2010, he joined SGI Aviation Services for whom he performed consultancy and training activities in the general subject of aviation safety regulations. In 2012, following SGI’s selection by the government of Guernsey as the service provider for the Guernsey Aircraft Registry, he developed its policies, protocols and procedures. He managed the registry on a day-to-day basis between 2013 and 2018. He retired early 2019 but is still engaged as an independent consultant.

1. Prologue. 2. Introduction. 3. Pioneering years (1919 – 1944). 4. Regulatory framework developments. 5. First wave (1945 - 1953). 6. Oxygen. 7. First trough (1954 – 1964). 8. The cabin professional. 9. Second wave (1965 – 1972). 10. Regulation proposals that were rejected. 11. Second trough (1973 - 1981). 12. Evacuation demonstration. 13. Third wave (1982 - 1996). 14. Different opinions amongst authorities. 15. Developments since 1997. 16. Exit credit creativity. 17. Reaping the benefits of cabin safety measures. 18. Exit usage. 19. Possible future cabin safety developments. 20. Acquainting passengers. 21. Epilogue. Appendix 1. Accidents referred to. Appendix 2a. U.S. regulations 1926 – 1936 (pre-Federal Register). Appendix 2b. U.S. regulations 1937 - 1964.