Why was sheepskin chosen as the first choice for pilot seat cushions?

Unlike Where Passengers Sit: Why Cockpit Seats Sometimes Have Sheepskin Covers

Did you know that pilot seat cushions are made of sheepskin? While sheepskin seats are very comfortable, comfort isn’t the primary reason for choosing them for long-haul flights. Practicality is more important, and the reasons listed might surprise you.

The primary purpose of sheepskin seat covers is to keep pilots cool in summer and warm in winter. Sheepskin’s temperature-regulating and breathable properties ensure pilots don’t feel too cold or too hot, allowing them to work comfortably. Therefore, a suitable pilot seat cushions is essential.

Temperature regulating and breathable

This is important for pilots who work long shifts, as fatigue is a significant safety hazard. Wool regulates temperature by creating an air layer between the body and the seat, and it also absorbs sweat.

It’s not hot – it’s not wrapping you, so it’s not keeping your internal body temperature in or anything. It actually lets your body breathe, since it’s both natural and also has those little nooks and crannies for air to circulate through.

This can be confirmed by the genuine feedback I’ve received from pilots.

Sheepskin is a hypoallergenic material, meaning it is extremely unlikely to cause irritation or allergic reactions in anyone. Therefore, sheepskin is the preferred material for pilot seat cushions for many airlines because it meets the diverse needs of most pilots.

Fire resistance

Essential features of cockpit seat cushions

Breathable material to eliminate sweat and discomfort
Durable material with an inner liner protecting the foam inside
Universal fitment to fit most body types
Easy to install to reduce labor hours
Easy to clean making it machine washable and durable

Aside from being a comfortable material to sit on and one that helps to regulate temperatures, sheepskin is also known to be fire-resistant and self-extinguishing, so a fire will not spread as quickly in the cabin. Its fire resistance property is because sheepskin has a high nitrogen and water content, meaning that a larger amount of oxygen is needed for the sheepskin to burn.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reportedly required pilot seats to pass a “flammability test” to meet safety regulations. Other materials that meet this requirement include natural leather, flame-retardant synthetic leather (vinyl), and other textiles.

“The allure of 100% sheepskin lies in its ability to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. No synthetic fiber possesses these properties. Regardless of the temperature inside the cabin, sheepskin seat covers maintain an almost constant temperature. Furthermore, each hollow fiber can absorb 30% of its own weight in moisture. It keeps you dry while remaining dry itself.”

Economics and water resistance also play a key role

In addition to its flame-retardant properties, sheepskin also possesses water and liquid-resistant characteristics. These properties are especially important in the extremely confined space of an aircraft cockpit, where the mechanical equipment is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and damage from liquids could have disastrous consequences.

Which type of wool is more suitable?

In terms of the exact kind of wool being used, Boeing is said to have conducted tests on different types of materials when designing its cockpit seats. These tests include resistance to both flame and liquids, as well as comfort for pilots. The company concluded that sheepskin from New Zealand sheep is the most suitable for cockpit seats and is, therefore, its material of choice.

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