Originally Posted by
Bob Viking
Would it be possible for you to give us a bit more detail on the claim that so few aircrew knew how to correctly check the top latch?
That’s a hell of a claim and suggests that either I was the only one who used to teach it properly (which I know for a fact is not the case), that I myself was not teaching it properly (which I very much doubt is the case), that nobody pays any attention to ejection seat briefs (which I very much doubt) or that the author or reader is making incorrect assumptions.
I’m not suggesting that either you or the author are being slanderous in any way. I know you have a particular vested interest in ejection seat safety but I can assure you that in my 22 years of RAF service thus far, everyone I have ever met takes it as seriously as you do. So that claim seems a little off target to me.
The top latch in particular (I assume we are talking about the plunger) is one of the most vital checks and has always been stressed to pilots as such.
BV
BV If you properly read what I wrote you would not need to ask the question.
As I said, has been repeated here by Tecumseh , I was quoting what was written on p 135 of the book and I was quite astounded at that statement as I thought EVERY pilot who used ejection seats would correctly check the latch.
I suggest you read it.
Please note the comments on p33 re making the seat safe, pins being replaced AFTER the jet has come to a halt on chocks, engine shutdown, NOT as part of the after landing checks whilst the aircraft is moving.
The book states, not me, that the unsafe seat was not identified by no fewer than 7 individuals on 19 checks !
I seem to remember you were critical of me. advocating this procedure, as was done in my time on 2,3 and 4 seats, in an earlier post.