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How Airplane Emergency Slides Are Tested In Phoenix

UTC Aerospace Systems workers
(Photo courtesy of UTC Aerospace Systems)
Workers look at a an emergency airplane slide during a deployment test at UTC Aerospace Systems in Phoenix.

Every time you board an airplane, you get the same flight attendant spiel: “Please take a moment to find the exits closest to you, keeping in mind that your closest exit may be behind you.”

But the likelihood you’ll have to actually use one of those exits or the emergency slide that automatically pops out when the exit door is opened is pretty slim.

Still, every one of the emergency slides on an aircraft has been deployed before at a testing facility. One of those is right here in Phoenix, at UTC Aerospace Systems.

The warehouse contains sections of real airplanes — chunks of exit rows and a wing or two are suspended on platforms near the ceiling to model the actual height of an airplane. The emergency exit of a 737 is opened and the slide pops out in a sudden burst, like a party horn, completely inflating in a matter of seconds.

Eric Tanori, UTC Aerospace Systems’ manufacturing engineering supervisor, said a few seconds can make a big difference.

"A lot of times they’re used where there’s fire or smoke in the cabin and so people need to get out of there pretty quickly," said Tanori.

Then the slide is shuffled to the next test.

"(It) is called an air-retention test to make sure that everything holds air, because a lot of our configurations also get used as rafts," Tanori said.

In the event of a water landing, the slides can be detached from the plane and used as makeshift boats. They test that here, too, in a large pool.

Besides the sound, what’s also noticeable is the smell of paint. Workers touchup the slides after the tests. The current aviation safety code requires them to be silver, a color that reflects heat well. Tanori said it’s critical to make sure every centimeter is coated.

"If heat really gets to one of those seams and it bursts open, then the whole slide is going to deflate in a matter of a few seconds, also," said Tanori.

Once the slide passes the tests with flying colors, it gets packed up and sent to an airplane exit somewhere. Perhaps the one closest to you on your next flight.

Annika Cline was a producer for KJZZ's The Show from 2014 to 2019.