question for the fighter jocks

[rjl2001]

really stupid question, sorry. but I'm curious about the ejection seats on some two seaters. i've seen on some movies and what not where one person will eject from the aircraft, and that will leave the other flying the aircraft without a canopy. i've always assumed that all twin seaters ejection systems worked by ejecting both pilot/wso, regardless of who initiated the ejection. but i'm not sure, just always thought that's how it worked. i do realize some aircraft have the crew capsule that ejects, like the F-111. and why I'm on the subject, does the B-1 and B-2 bomber have ejection seats?
thanks

 

[rstev1955]

All the two seat fighters/trainers I flew in (some old some new) had selector switches that allowed either solo or dual ejection. The PIC or IP directed where the switch was to be placed for each flight (unless it was standard). In older aircraft (like I flew), if the front seat initiated, both seats went. The back seat initiated ejection sequence was based on the selector switch. Either it went by itself or they both went. I can't speak for bombers.

 

[Purduepete]

In the Viper there is a selector switch just like rstev1955 was describing. You may have seen a picture of a F-14 flying around without a canopy. Story is the backseater was on an incentive ride of sorts and didn't know where to put his hands. The pilot start maneuvering and the guy ejected on mistake. Just the backseater went and the pilot landed the plane. Anyway, you can select if both go or only the 1 seat go's. If both go there is a slight time delay between the back and front seats to prevent the guy in back from being burnt or tangled up.

 

[Tina Fey's Scar]

Hey when we need to EJECT EJECT EJECT it's all or nothin. Now that's shiat hot!!!!!!!!!!!

-A Fighter Jock

 

[Huggyu2]

The T-38, and the 2-seat version of the U-2 (of which there are 5 jets), do not have a selector. The pilots must deconflict. If at all possible, the backseater ejects first, then the front. This helps preclude the front seater's rocket blast from burning the backseater.

 

[Bjammin]

Same exact thing in the T-45 as above. The EA-6B with 4 guys was a little different.
Bottom line. If the guy in the backseat is qualified in the airplane, I trust him to get us both out if something goes wrong so I will select "both". If he is just along for a good deal ride, I will select "forward both/aft self". That way if he panics and pulls the handle, I can still land the aircraft and won't be in the chute cussing at him all the was down.

 

[JimNtexas]

In the F-4 the backseater has a command selecter valve that links his ejection handles to the front seat when open.


A lot of my fellow WSO/EWOs got their feelings hurt if a pilot told them to close it, but I was just the opposite. I'd always open it if the pilot specifcally asked, but the default mode for me was closed (Backseat does not eject front seat). I always had enough in the credit union to buy the bar if I had to walk home and the pilot flew back and landed.

The one rule I had was that it was either open or closed for the duration of the flight. A few pilots who clearly didn't really want it open would say things like "open it for takeoff, close it enroute to the range, open it on the range, close it coming back, open it in the pattern. " For those guys I just closed it.

In the F-111 we had a capsule, which is pretty cool. Either guy can pull the handles and you can get your story straight on the way down.