TECH FOCUS: VEHiClE iNTEriOrS Cabin creativity, Boeing style seats and cabin interiors? Does SAE play a role in that relationship? Airline customers are increasingly able to specify exactly what they want to fulfill their perceived niche in the marketplace and have manufacturers compete to satisfy their desires. Just as ticket prices range from affordable to expensive, interiors range from the basic to the high end. The consumer has the power to select a product that meets their individual needs and desires. The majority of designs fall within the framework of existing requirements, which means that the design and certification process is well understood, and the existing SAE standards completely document the steps needed to product the product. For bespoke products at the high end, the OEMs work with the regulators to define appropriate requirements and expectations. This is where the SAE committees, with their volunteer participants of subject matter experts, can often assist by providing consensus industry standards and independent evaluation of new designs. 14 September 2023 Walsh was 2022 recipient of the James M. Crawford Executive Standards Committee Outstanding Achievement Award. Unfortunately, the proprietary nature of the most innovative designs means that committees are often playing catch up with product that's already available and the creation of appropriate standards becomes iterative as knowledge of the design becomes publicly available. What are some of the most noteworthy engineering/ functionality/ergonomics advances being made in seats and interiors? How is SAE affecting these advances? The most notable trend in recent years for commercial airplanes has been the elimination of UPDATE SAE International