It is primarily a teaching and research facility, but also offers safety-related consultancy to businesses.
The Cranfield Institute has several simulators designed for risk and hazard assessment and research.
[1] Following the Kegworth Air Disaster the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) commissioned the Cranfield Institute to research a best brace position for passengers in an air crash.
[2] Cranfield also conducted research on behalf of the CAA after the Manchester Air Disaster to assess why so many passengers were unable to make it to the emergency exits safely.
This research prompted changes to cabin layouts in the UK, including making overwing exits more accessible in an emergency by improving seat layout, forcing the installation of emergency floor lighting to assist in a smoke-filled cabin and widening of bulkhead passageways to prevent bottle-necking of evacuating passengers.