SUMMARY
Studies were conducted to improve the crash dynamics and energy absorption of composite sailplane fuselages in a nose down impact resulting from stall/spin accidents. Quasistatic and dynamic tests were conducted on quarter scale structurally similar composite models. The quasistatic tests were found to replicate fully, the loads and failure modes observed in the dynamic tests. Fiber materials and cockpit design techniques were experimentally examined. Energy absorption was improved by over 280% over a typical fiberglass reference fuselage by the use of a combination of fiberglass and polyethylene fiber materials, the extension of the pilot's seatpan as a structural member and the reinforcement of the canopy sill.