Originally Posted by
tartare
Having flown in the Hawk back seat as a civilian out of Valley - I wonder how many non-pilots might just freeze when presented with a time critical ejection decision.
The handle is there - but there'd be ground rush - a tremendous surge of Adrenalin and no doubt and instinctive reaction to brace for impact.
I had a couple of back seat fast jet trips back in the 80's including on a post major servicing Jaguar airtest. I know for certain that I would have done the same as the unfortunate Cpl Bayliss. I would have reacted to a call from the pilot to eject but only experienced aircrew could appreciate that the aircraft was heading rapidly towards the ground and initiated ejection independently of the pilot within the limited timescale.