technology and expand into new markets. It will also allow for easy installation of sled components as required for upgrades.

The new horizontal crash system will be an accelerator crash sled, meaning that the impact will initially take place and then use the crash sled to decelerate to a safe level of speed. Currently, the laboratory is only able to do component testing for aviation, but the upgrade will allow expansion into the automotive industry. Testing on air bags, child safety seats and other various component testing will be possible in addition to the current aviation testing abilities.

"The primary purpose of expansion was to give us the ability to 'stay ahead' of the continual evolution of dynamic test requirements for aircraft occupant protection systems," Joseph Mitchell, director of Crash Dynamics said. "A side product of this expansion is the ability to perform automotive occupant protection dynamic test programs. Initially, we're hoping to receive the overflow work---the customers who normally do their testing at established automotive test facilities--that will help us establish our clientele list."

Mitchell said they are currently maintaining their relationships with industry's major aviation manufacturers, B/E Aerospace, Raytheon, Cessna and Bombardier-Learjet.

Despite the cost of the upgrade, which was covered by both state and federal funding, every attempt will be made not to increase the user rates, Mitchell said. Rates for automotive testing are currently being established by the Office of Research Administration at the Institute.

Automotive testing is expected to cost less than aviation testing because automotive testing takes less time, which means increasing the volume of work the lab is capable of conducting.
In addition to the new sled, the laboratory has also expanded to include a client work/office space and two technical support rooms. The photographic lighting system, which was fabricated 14 years ago, will also be replaced.

With so many new improvements, the lab is in the process of introducing themselves into the automotive neighborhood. The lab has already attended an automotive tradeshow in Detroit and will visit another in San Diego in the near future.

Mitchell said he is also receiving calls from potential clients who have found them on the Institute's website, www.niar.wichita.edu. The Institute is currently in the process of redeveloping the website and Mitchell said he hopes that it will play a key role in those introductions.