From: ChuckKuecker (ckuecker@mcs.net)
Date: Thu Apr 16 1998 - 12:53:41 MDT
At 12:47 4/16/98 EDT, you wrote:
>I seem to recall some time ago that one of the combat aircraft (?) was fitted
>with a system whereby the entire crew compartment ejected as a whole with
>built in parachutes...what would be the problem in having such a concept for
>commercial passenger aircraft? That is: in the event of a "crash and burn"
>emergency the pilot could eject the passenger compartment. It then descending
>on it's own automatically deployed chutes. Since said compartment would be
>much lighter than the entire airframe it would possible require less chutes.
>
>Of course...the redesign of the airframe might negate any saving.
>
>And the pilots might complain...but presumably they might be trained in the
>use of individual parachutes...or have a seperate system for the pilot
>compartment.
>
>Just speculation.
>
>EvMick
Why not pyrotechnic charges to sever the wings and empennage, and drop the
entire cabin, pilot and all, as a recovery capsule? Where is it written that
the captain must go down with the ship?
Or is this a case where the pilot would be expected to guide the remains to
a crash away from an occupied area?
Chuck Kuecker
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