Physical Effects of Weather on a Flight Crew, Following Emergengy Evacuation of the Aircraft via the Ejection Seat

Abstract

Ejection seats are an essential component of modern military aircraft. Without them, the flight crew would not have any chance of safely evacuating the aircraft in case of an emergency occurring at high speed. Ejection seats are designed to propel the personnel from the aircraft as rapidly and safely as possible in an emergency, taking them to a distance and altitude where they are able to use their parachutes for a safe landing. The complex process of evacuation does not end with the landing, however. In many cases, the flight crew must await the arrival of rescue teams far from home, in an unfamiliar environment. The local weather conditions have a significant effect on the flight crew's chance of survival. Therefore, both the personnel operating the aircraft and those responsible for planning the mission must be familiar with the physical effects of various meteorological parameters, to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is provided on every flight. In addition, the pilots must be physically and psychologically prepared to adapt to extreme environments, to the maximum extent possible.