The Aviators Thread

MRC · Fri. 5:21pm

DoctorEvil
I remember that the School of Aviation Medicine which used to be at the RAAF base in Point Cook, Victoria, had one of these ejection seat trainers. They stopped using it because too many people were getting back injuries!

Like spin training or engine out simulation for twins [*]. It seems to be a knife-edge whether the risk from training causes more harm than the problem that is being trained for actually happening.

[*] E.E. Canberra for example. {{Not that I've flown one; did sit in an armed bang-seat of a Canberra once with admonition not to touch anything.}} {{{Pins in of course.}}}

DoctorEvil · Fri. 9:22pm

MRC
Like spin training or engine out simulation for twins [*]. It seems to be a knife-edge whether the risk from training causes more harm than the problem that is being trained for actually happening.

[*] E.E. Canberra for example. {{Not that I've flown one; did sit in an armed bang-seat of a Canberra once with admonition not to touch anything.}} {{{Pins in of course.}}}

I've been very fortunate to have had a ride in the PC-9 trainer on several occasions when I was a medical officer in the RAAF. On my first ride, I remember looking down at the orange handle on the ejection seat and hoping that I'd never have to pull it. The seat's T-shaped safety pin sat in a special holder on the canopy, which I've highlighted on one of the photos. You'd pull it out from the seat handle between your legs to arm it just before take off, and you'd replace it shortly after landing. If you've got fumble fingers and you accidentally dropped it on the floor, the flight would have to be abandoned as it can fly around inside the cockpit whilst doing aerobatics. You can imagine what a pain that would be!