Re: pics of Canadian F 18 going down
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pilots cannot steer ejection seats. And former NATOPS and NAMI stated that two punches and your military flying career was over.
I saw an S-4 Viking take off and lose a motor After a slow roll the pilot punched (the pilot controls ejection for everyone). The two guys in the back got out but by the time time the pilots got out the ejection seat shot them right into the water in front of the carrier. </div></div>
Flying career is determined by the flight surgeon regardless of the number of ejections (However, if you are having multiple ejections, you should probably get the hint and do something else).
The S-3 had 2 selector position for ejection: single and group. In single, any person pulling the handle would eject only his seat. In group, any person pulling the handle would eject everyone in the order of rear left, rear right, front right, and then front left (pilot position). As per NATOPS, selector will be in group from before takeoff until after landing (unless circuit breakers or equipment justified going singles and safing the seats).
BTW, I am a current instructor pilot in the T-6 Texan II (Martin Baker seat). I spent 6 years (in the early 90s) as a Naval Aircrewmen in the S-3. When I went through the S-3 schoolhouse, I knew an AW that had an ejection similar to the one discribed above (perhaps the same one). He was unable to fly for several years as a result of his injuries from skipping across the water.