Red arrow pilot dead.
- Thread starter joe-90
- Start date
- Joined
- 2 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 3,624
- Reaction score
- 667
- Country
Drunk?
He hit the wrong button but I don’t suppose that should be possible; somebody’s mistake but maybe that’s unfair; equipment malfunction which would be my bet. 
I understand the RA flight was grounded a while back due to ejector seat problems but another pilot death so soon is certainly something they could have done without. In light of the previous death, there will doubtless be “questions” about the Arrows viability but if they are disbanded, it will be a great loss to everyone. All RAF pilots go into the job knowing they run the risk of dying below pension age on a mission but those who volunteer & get accepted for the RA know they are taking a significantly higher risk but they still chose to do it. Like F1 & Indy drivers, they chose to accept the risks, presumably with their families consent, but it’s what gives them the “Buz” & us the spectacle. Without huge risk takers, this world would never get anywhere, they chose to do & love it but can pay the ultimate price; god bless & RIP.
I understand the RA flight was grounded a while back due to ejector seat problems but another pilot death so soon is certainly something they could have done without. In light of the previous death, there will doubtless be “questions” about the Arrows viability but if they are disbanded, it will be a great loss to everyone. All RAF pilots go into the job knowing they run the risk of dying below pension age on a mission but those who volunteer & get accepted for the RA know they are taking a significantly higher risk but they still chose to do it. Like F1 & Indy drivers, they chose to accept the risks, presumably with their families consent, but it’s what gives them the “Buz” & us the spectacle. Without huge risk takers, this world would never get anywhere, they chose to do & love it but can pay the ultimate price; god bless & RIP.
A
Alarm
Not seen the news on this, but isnt a ejection chair supposed to be able to be used on the ground ( Take off ejection) and keep the pilot safe?
As far as I know, 'offical' details have not been released yet, but I read earlier that reports had said the ejector seat parachute had failed to open...,
Really sad to hear this so soon after the crash near Bournemouth, but as said above, it wouldn't be a surprise if the future of the Red Arrows is now in doubt, which would be a third piece of sad news (unless that decision is made by the pilots themselves)
Really sad to hear this so soon after the crash near Bournemouth, but as said above, it wouldn't be a surprise if the future of the Red Arrows is now in doubt, which would be a third piece of sad news (unless that decision is made by the pilots themselves)
L
LooPrEvil
May be government cutbacks are not allowing for the level of intensive training that is required.
I always thought that ejector seats were fitted with a safety mechanism that was employed when not in flight to prevent accidental deployment.
However having just researched on the net it appears that a zero zero ejector seat exists to allow pilots to egress at low level / ground level.
I always thought that ejector seats were fitted with a safety mechanism that was employed when not in flight to prevent accidental deployment.
However having just researched on the net it appears that a zero zero ejector seat exists to allow pilots to egress at low level / ground level.
A
Alarm
Thats what I said, there was a very good program about the ejector seats a while back.
The clever people http://www.martin-baker.com/home.aspx
A "zero/zero" ejector seat will enable a pilot to eject safely while stationary and on the ground (zero speed, zero altitude).
But a modern ejector seat has a number of different safety pins which have to be pulled and stowed before take-off. Two will safe the main ejection charge, one will safe the canopy eject or shatter charge, one will safe the seat's internal rocket motor, one will safe the parachute deployment charges etc. etc.
The photos in the press of the Hawk on the ground show a pole like structure sticking up from the cockpit. That's the telescopic guide rail which the seat runs up to stop it tumbling and get it past the aircrafts tail. The fact that it is extended means the main ejection charge definitely went off somehow, but maybe the safety pins were still in the other systems. Or maybe the pilot hadn't strapped into his seat properly if they were only supposed to be doing ground drills.
A great pity but at the end of the day developing the skills necessary to be among the best fighter pilots in the world is a dangerous business - even in "peacetime". The guys know the risks, but there are still heroes willing to sign up for it.
But a modern ejector seat has a number of different safety pins which have to be pulled and stowed before take-off. Two will safe the main ejection charge, one will safe the canopy eject or shatter charge, one will safe the seat's internal rocket motor, one will safe the parachute deployment charges etc. etc.
The photos in the press of the Hawk on the ground show a pole like structure sticking up from the cockpit. That's the telescopic guide rail which the seat runs up to stop it tumbling and get it past the aircrafts tail. The fact that it is extended means the main ejection charge definitely went off somehow, but maybe the safety pins were still in the other systems. Or maybe the pilot hadn't strapped into his seat properly if they were only supposed to be doing ground drills.
A great pity but at the end of the day developing the skills necessary to be among the best fighter pilots in the world is a dangerous business - even in "peacetime". The guys know the risks, but there are still heroes willing to sign up for it.
J
joinerjohn
The Hawk's ejection seat (unlike many other aircraft) doesn't allow for the ejection of the canopy before the ejection seat operates. Pressing the ejection seat button/control , quite literally ejects the pilot through the canopy.
Also see this from 2010
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-10782263
Hmm only just over a year ago. Perhaps they haven't quite got through all of the RAF Hawk aircraft yet???
Also see this from 2010
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-10782263
Hmm only just over a year ago. Perhaps they haven't quite got through all of the RAF Hawk aircraft yet???
Really
If you look at this image of a Hawk canopy
You can see a zig-zag strip running through the perspex - looks like an old style rear windscreen heater. That's a "shatter charge", a line of explosive cord which shatters the canopy milliseconds before the ejection seat fires.
So, yes, the Hawk pilot ejects straight through the canopy - but it's in a million pieces by the time he hits it.
Quite a common set-up in aircraft of the same vintage as the Hawk - and prevents a whole jettisoned canopy from clobbering the wingman of a stricken plane.
You can see a zig-zag strip running through the perspex - looks like an old style rear windscreen heater. That's a "shatter charge", a line of explosive cord which shatters the canopy milliseconds before the ejection seat fires.
So, yes, the Hawk pilot ejects straight through the canopy - but it's in a million pieces by the time he hits it.
Quite a common set-up in aircraft of the same vintage as the Hawk - and prevents a whole jettisoned canopy from clobbering the wingman of a stricken plane.
Interesting; that does make rather more sense.
J
joinerjohn
Ahh sorry for posting what seems to be incorrect info. What I meant to say was that the canopy itself doesn't actually physically come off the aircraft like you see in some videos , where the whole canopy comes away from the cockpit enclosure.