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Supracor introduces Stimulite honeycomb for helicopter seats

Supracor Press Release | January 28, 2020

Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 34 seconds.

Supracor, a manufacturer of flexible, bonded-honeycomb products, is introducing its Stimulite honeycomb cushioning material for helicopters at this year’s HAI Heli-Expo.

Seat cushions made from Stimulite can be thinner than foam cushions, providing the additional head clearance desired by pilots. Supracor Image

Stimulite honeycomb is a new alternative to conventional foam that provides comfort and is lightweight. A flexible form of aerospace honeycomb that is fusion-bonded without the need for adhesive, Stimulite’s cellular matrix is over 90 percent air, depending on the cell size. Perforations in the cell walls circulate air both horizontally and vertically to control heat and moisture, while the “footprint” of the cells and their flexing action stimulates blood flow to promote circulation.

Like structural aerospace honeycomb, Stimulite is a strength-to-weight material; seat cushions made from Stimulite can be thinner than foam cushions, providing the additional head clearance desired by pilots while distributing their weight uniformly over a much wider area to relieve pressure. Compared to foam cushions, cushions made from Stimulite have a lower lifetime cost due to the thermoplastic composition. Stimulite’s durability and resistance to aging provides a longer cushion life, requiring less frequent replacement.

“Several years ago, I started discussions with pilots to better understand their needs regarding seat cushions,” said Peggy McDonald, founder of Pegasus Aero Solutions, “so the search began for a new lightweight material that could replace traditional foam, improve comfort and increase head clearance for the crew. Once I discovered Stimulite honeycomb, I knew we could develop innovative replacement seat cushions for the helicopter industry, providing a solution that was long overdue.”

Susan Wilson, co-founder of Supracor, said: “We have supplied Stimulite to the aviation industry since 2012, however, developing the replacement seat cushions for the helicopter industry is new and exciting.

“In addition to standard replacement seat cushions for aircraft such as the Airbus H125/AS350, Bell 206B, 206L series and 407, we are working on a seat cushion design for medium Bell aircraft that has proven to mitigate vibration,” Wilson added. “We look forward to exhibiting at Heli-Expo for the first time and learning more about the helicopter industry.”

Supracor holds over 90 patents on both the manufacturing process and applications for Stimulite worldwide.

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