The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued special conditions for Airbus Models A321 neo ACF and A321 neo XLR airplanes due to their unique design, which includes oblique (side-facing) seats potentially equipped with 3-point restraint systems with pretensioners. These seats are installed at angles between 18 and 45 degrees from the aircraft's centerline, raising safety concerns not covered by existing airworthiness standards. The special conditions aim to ensure a safety level equivalent to traditional forward and aft-facing seats by addressing elements like neck and spine protection, pretensioner functioning in different scenarios, and ensuring the system's effectiveness throughout a flight. Airbus S.A.S. must comply with these conditions for type certification of the new aircraft models.
Simple Explanation
Airbus has some new airplanes with special seats that face a bit sideways, and these seats have special belts to keep people safe. The FAA wants to make sure these new seats are just as safe as regular ones, so they've made some new rules to check they work well during flights.