F-22 missing out of Elmendorf

**Stitch** · 23 Nov 10,, 00:24

Originally Posted by Zinja

Is the ejection seat controlled by the computer as well btw? Im just thinking unless the mechanism jammed as well at the same time the plane was failing which would be a double coincidence, wouldn't there be enough time to eject from say 30-50k ft?

AFAIK, the ejection seat is a completely independent system from the rest of the avionics; it would have to be, or if there was a major on-board power failure the ejection seat wouldn't work.

I know in a two-seat a/c the ejection seats can be linked so that if one occupant ejects the other seat automatically goes off, too; there's a selector switch that let's you select the ejection sequence, either single ejection, or both. Usually, with an inexperienced flight crew, the switch is set to independent so that the "newbie" doesn't accidentally eject himself AND the more experienced flight crew.

**Jimmy** · 23 Nov 10,, 01:37

I don't think they let you select the sequence...there was a big to-do in the late 90s after an F-16D crashed. Turns out the seats were connected incorrectly, causing the front seat to eject first, which seriously burned the poor guy in the back. The entire fleet was grounded and significant number of the jets were found to have the same problem.

**Stitch** · 23 Nov 10,, 01:42

Originally Posted by Jimmy

I don't think they let you select the sequence...there was a big to-do in the late 90s after an F-16D crashed. Turns out the seats were connected incorrectly, causing the front seat to eject first, which seriously burned the poor guy in the back. The entire fleet was grounded and significant number of the jets were found to have the same problem.

Oops!

That was ONE thing Top Gun (the movie) got right; Maverick's RIO ejected before he did, and struck the canopy. I'm sure there are more than a few people who wish it was the other way around!