French Rafele two-seater
Posted on 04/13/2020 10:09:16 AM PDT by NRx
French Rafele two-seater
Upon ejection activation, the person is subjected to perhaps as much as a 32G surge depending on the aircrafts attitude (inverted?), velocity above recommended deployment (shockwave above speed of sound), slew acceleration from a double zero seat as it maneuvers to sufficient altitude to deploy a chute.
Injury to the spinal vertebra is a possible outcome, so not an amusement park ride to do on a whim or a dare.
So much stupid.
Reminds me of an episode of Berverly Hillbillys when Jethro had his double knot spy car.
“He managed to land with the use of his parachute...”
Thanks Captain Obvious. We all thought that if the plane is shot down the crew ejects and falls to their death.
Aviation Week covered this a few days ago.
The strange thing is that the pilot’s seat should eject following the rear seat, but did not. Imagine the pilot’s thoughts wondering when HE would eject.
There’s a problem with the design somewhere.
Here’s that link:
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/rafale-ride-leads-inadvertent-ejection-overstressed-passenger
The emergency chutes are around 28 foot diameter and high porosity - compared to the old sporting parachutes (not airfoils). I will testify that their landings are most unpleasant. Also, no maneuverability on that ride. That guy is lucky he landed in a safe spot; REALLY Lucky.
Pretty sure our fighter aircraft take 2 hands to eject, at least they use to. They are also in the middle of the seat, but further down, unlike a car seat adjustment. I could be entirely wrong.
I made a similar discovery taking my two nieces to the county fair about ten years ago. They both got quite a laugh at poor uncle John as we got off one of those tilt a whirl things. Another minute on that damned ride and I don’t think they’d have been laughing given how tightly we were packed together.
I need to clarify: I started sky diving with a 28 ft. canopy; I never had an ejection ride.
One man I know ejected from an F-4 at near mach. The wind blast dislocated both his shoulders.
I was an Air Force Instructor Pilot (IP). I told each of my students that if we got in real trouble I would tell him to “EJECT!” three times...the third time from outside the aircraft!
It’s supposed to take two hands, yes, both for redundancy and to get your shoulders out of the way. But I suspect a motivated person could use one.
Again, depending on model and vintage there are two handles close together, in the pan.
Anyway, long way of saying this was a strange accident.
To put it I real world perspective, I’ve been in the simulator several times.
Basically, it’s a cockpit mockup with a large ladder track the seat is yanked up at a fraction of actual speed, but still very fast.
You’re filmed in slo motion and then get criticized on how you held yourself. If you flunk you do it again.
Anyway I always felt like someone had kicked me in the balls a day later. Almost a hernia. Never told anyone for fear of being grounded.
C'mon. Even Jethro knew it was "double naught".
I was going through Army fixed-wing mechanic school for the OV-1 Mohawk. We learned to eject in a Martin-Baker training seat that blasted up a rail; I don’t recall how high it went, maybe 30-50 feet. Those who did it got a membership card in the OHMYASS Club. I still have mine from 54 years ago.
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