The general rule is more g is survivable over a shorter time span (that's milliseconds or parts thereof) - it's all down to where the energy goes!
Until there is legislation, the manufacturers will not improve the crash performance of GA aircraft, and there won't be legislation because not enough people are killed or seriously injured in GA (compared to the roads for instance). The development costs of making a 60 knot + ground impact at a high angle survivable in most cases (and without leaving the occupants in a vegitative state) would be huge as well. Then there's the weight penalty to think about..
What about if the cabin was made into a survival cell (ie rigid in itself but effectively seperate to the airframe)? It could then break away in an impact... They do it on those mad jet powered power boats used in the States.
JC
Last edited by Dak Mechanic; 12th Jan 2007 at 08:33.
Reason: clarity!