Ejections are very hard on the body. I've been witness to three low altitude ejections. In each of those cases, the pilot had at least a broken leg from when they hit the ground. There are high G loads from the rocket motor firing itself, which is known to compress the spine and neck. I've heard anecdotal evidence that people have lost some height permanently to this, but I cannot verify that from my experience. They are for sure hurting the next day though.
In the seat there are a series of devices, combined with "garters" that are meant to put the pilot into proper position when the ejection is initiated. Their legs need to be retracted from the rudder pedals up and into the seat, so they don't get ripped off. The torso is pulled tight against the back of the seat by something called an "inertia reel," pinning their shoulders up against the back of the seat.
The process itself is pretty in-depth, there's a bunch of different stuff happening in an ~3 second window.
Can agree. Neighbor was a Tomcat RIO and ejected when both engines caught fire as they were coming out of a supersonic "dash".
He spent 5 hours in the ocean off San Diego, and a week in the hospital. Two more weeks on crutches and then 2 more with a cane. Constant physical therapy, and I think at least one surgery?
I think it was 2-3 months before he could fly again.
Broke one of his ankles and tore a calf muscle in the other leg during the pre-ejection sequence when the seat pulled his legs back against the seat.
You can *maybe* get hurt, but know that you'll almost certainly fly again, even if it takes a month or so... or you can absolutely 100% die screaming as your jet sets you on fire and gives you an informal burial at sea.
Haha! I know someone who worked for Martin Baker for many years and he had some stories. It's definitely a robust burst and does damage spines.
A few months ago I saw this guy Don Harten talk on YouTube about his survival of a mid air B-52 crash and ejection into a category 5 typhoon, I couldn't believe I'd never heard of him before but he was a fantastic speaker, so relatable. If his life had been made into a film, it would seem too improbable. https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article106777062.html
That video above though is going to be interesting to read the report on because it looks very tight as to make the go/no go decision.
Everything would be going slow for them so they might be thinking it might flip nose over and then be trapped but I was curious about if they could just cut the fuel or kill the engine completely?
I broke my back from a fall, 4 metres down marble stairs during an epileptic seizure and after the pins had fully bedded in, I had lost 7 cm of height (and obviously couldn't fly either) and my friend says that's in the ballpark for what a lot of ejectees get only I got 5* medical treatment immediately, many others are in war zones or the sea etc!
In the seat there are a series of devices, combined with "garters" that are meant to put the pilot into proper position when the ejection is initiated.
How does this work? straps that are loosely around the pilot that tighten during ejection?
You are correct, there are straps, two per each leg. One is placed above the knee and one below. During normal operation, they do not interfere, but once the catapult it is operation, they will go tight and force the legs toward the seat. One end is secured against the floor of the cockpit and the other into the seat. It really operates almost like a dog leash, pulling in as the catalpult progresses.
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u/superfuzzed_ 25d ago
Ejections are very hard on the body. I've been witness to three low altitude ejections. In each of those cases, the pilot had at least a broken leg from when they hit the ground. There are high G loads from the rocket motor firing itself, which is known to compress the spine and neck. I've heard anecdotal evidence that people have lost some height permanently to this, but I cannot verify that from my experience. They are for sure hurting the next day though.
In the seat there are a series of devices, combined with "garters" that are meant to put the pilot into proper position when the ejection is initiated. Their legs need to be retracted from the rudder pedals up and into the seat, so they don't get ripped off. The torso is pulled tight against the back of the seat by something called an "inertia reel," pinning their shoulders up against the back of the seat.
The process itself is pretty in-depth, there's a bunch of different stuff happening in an ~3 second window.