VIP Accidentally Punches Out of F-14

[surfnole]

For your entertainment.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20021122-900721.htm

 

[Salty Dog]

Wow. Maybe they should paint those ejection handles yellow&black so people will know not to mess with them........

 

[Redneck]

I thought the seats were linked so if one goes they both go?

 

[ShawnC]

He got quite a ride. I can imagine landing.

"Where's your VIP?"

"He ejected."

"He what?"

"He mumbled something about needing fresh air and punched out."

 

[F18-FDX]

Redneck,

Anytime the pilot goes, they both go. There is a two-position eject select handle in two-seat aircraft, one position for when you have a qualified aircrew in the back - he ejects, they both go. The other position is for situations like this, when someone under training or "clueless" is flying in the back and decides to go for a ride, you only lose the canopy and his seat, not the entire aircraft...important safety tip

 

[Redneck]

Thanks F18-FDX, never knew that they had to idiot-proof fighters

 

[banned username 2]

Fighter Pilot Sunglasses: $125

Flight Suit: $350

F-14D: $50 Million

The look on your Squadron CO's face when you explain to him that your VIP Passenger punched out on a FAM Hop: Priceless!

There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there is your expense report!

 

[Rush Limbaugh]

"never knew that they had to idiot-proof fighters"

Most are idiot proof as far as ejection is concerned but if this incident were to happen in an F-16D, (not that anybody cares) the airplane would have been lost. The airplane still has the same select switch but if you have it set so the backseater punches and leaves the pilot, he (the pilot) will most likely die. Because of the single piece canopy with no wind screen, once the canopy goes, there is nothing to protect the pilot from the wind which would incapacitate him at anything over approach speed. For this reason, that position is not used.

Luckily, due to the location of the ejection handle, it would be somewhat difficult to accidentally pull it. But if it happenned, there would be a sequenced ejection and the airplane would be given back to the taxpayer.

 

[Jetsnake]

Redneck,

Anytime the pilot goes, they both go. There is a two-position eject select handle in two-seat aircraft, one position for when you have a qualified aircrew in the back - he ejects, they both go. The other position is for situations like this, when someone under training or "clueless" is flying in the back and decides to go for a ride, you only lose the canopy and his seat, not the entire aircraft...important safety tip

Except for the A-7/K tandum, both go,
Through the glass, but who cares now,
There gone, another fine plane to the Bone Yard.

Jetsnake