G'day all,
wrt the emergency exits and jettisonability (is that a word?) of doors and windows. I believe that even some of the more common western manufactured helicopters leave a bit to be desired wrt their exits.
For example, the B212 cannot open the sliding door once the floats are inflated. The only option is to peel the tape which breaks the seal around the cabin windows. The small exit combined with the likelihood of pax trying to escape with inflated lifejackets or whilst wearing bulky survival suits does not lend itself to a high probability of success. The S76 has a release which is not easily reached from the adjacent seat. Have not flown in the Dauphin so cannot comment there.
As a HUET instructor, currently working in W- Africa I know for a fact that many of the jettison activation systems will be beyond the capability of many of the nationals should things go pear shaped in a controlled or semi controlled ditching and subsequent rollover.
I'm very interested in the views of the flight crews wrt the above.
In the absence of having survived a ditching myself, my teaching is limited to what I read or other real life experiences relayed to me.
Thanks in advance,
IJ