AmSafe Bridport has announced the launch of their new Installed Physical Secondary Barrier, designed for all commercial aircraft operating under Part 121 rules in the U. S. In line with the upcoming FAA mandate effective August 2025, this innovative barrier provides an essential extra layer of protection to prevent unauthorized access to the flight deck.
Meeting the New Standard in Cockpit Security
The new regulation requires airlines to enhance cockpit security, especially during times when a flight crew member needs to leave the cockpit. Traditionally, this has involved using a serving trolley and a crew member to block access while the cockpit door is open. The company says their secondary barrier offers a purpose-built, reliable alternative.
“Currently, if one of the flight crew needs to leave the cockpit, a serving trolley and a stewardess are used to stand guard as the captain transfers from the cockpit into the lavatory,” Neil Stockley, AmSafe Bridport’s engineering manager, explained. “The new barrier changes this process, providing a dedicated, secure solution.”
Engineered for Safety and Compliance
The Installed Physical Secondary Barrier is designed to meet all regulatory requirements, including:
- A five-second deployment window to allow the captain or crew to safely transition from the cockpit while the barrier is in place.
- A 600lb intrusion load rating, ensuring the barrier can withstand significant force.
- Penetration resistance, tested to withstand a pair of 4-inch scissors cutting through the fabric, meeting strict FAA standards.
“We believe we are the first in the world to provide a fabric solution for this secondary barrier,” Stockley added. “Our design features a robust metal frame combined with advanced fabric technology. Because it’s fabric, there are specific perforation and penetration requirements, which our barrier meets with ease.”
AmSafe Bridport’s has years of experience in fabric technology along with decades of experience in developing high-performance cargo netting and restraint systems. “That’s where our expertise is—fabric technology,” says Stockley. “It’s a natural evolution for us to apply this knowledge to cockpit security.”
Flexible, User-Friendly Operation
The barrier can be deployed from either side, offering flexibility for crew operations. Typically, a message is sent to the cabin crew to deploy the barrier when needed, and it can be quickly stowed away once the cockpit crew member returns to their seat.
Ready for Today and Tomorrow’s Aircraft
The company says their secondary barrier is designed for both new and existing aircraft. Airbus has already selected it as a line-fit solution for the A220, and it is retrofittable across all passenger aircraft types.