The increasing trend towards fractional aircraft ownership has seen a rise in the number of babies and children being transported on corporate and private aircraft. Occupant protection policies for children younger than 2 years on aircraft are inconsistent with all other national policies on safe transportation. Children younger than 2 years are not required to be restrained or secured on aircraft during takeoff, landing, and conditions of turbulence. The National Transportation Safety Board 2005-2006 Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements state that all occupants should be restrained during takeoff, landing, and turbulent conditions, and that all infants and small children should be restrained in an approved child restraint system appropriate to their height and weight.

Current Federal Aviation Administration recommendations for child restraints are based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and typically involve the use of child safety seats restrained by aircraft lap belts. Newer automotive restraint standards use the vehicle structure to restrain the child safety seat. These standards differ between North America (LATCH) and Rest of the World (ISOFIX). Development and testing to determine the optimum means of child restraint and a solution that works in both North America and Rest of the World is needed.

Based on the results from the dynamic sled tests conducted, in this study there is sufficient data to conclude that the ISOFIX and LATCH system can solve the interface issues found in the past between the CRSs and aircraft seats. Both the ISOFIX and the LATCH attachment methods offer similar level of safety for the 12 month and 3 YOLD occupants.

While this study provides an overview of the viability of the ISOFIX and LATCH system, additional research needs to follow in order to develop aerospace standards and recommendations.