Seat Bucket The seat bucket (14) (fig. 6-20) is mounted on the lower forward side of the main beam assembly. It is attached to studs on the seat bucket runners. The components described in the following paragraphs are related to the seat bucket. EJECTION CONTROL HANDLE.— The ejection control handle (16) is located on the front of the seat pan. It is the only means by which ejection can be initiated. The handle is molded in the shape of a loop and is connected to the sears of the ejection seat initiators. The seat initiators have two rigid lines that connect to the trombone fittings. An upward pull of the loop removes both sears from the dual initiators to initiate ejection. Either initiator can fire the seat. After ejection, the handle remains attached to the seat. The ejection control handle is safetied by using the ejection seat safe/arm handle and safety pin. EJECTION SEAT SAFE/ARM HAN- DLE.— To prevent inadvertent seat ejection, an ejection seat safe/arm handle (18) is installed. To safety the seat, you must rotate the handle up and forward. To arm the seat, you rotate the handle down and aft. When in the ARMED position, the portion of the handle that is visible to the pilot is colored yellow and black with the word ARMED showing. In the SAFE position, the visible portion of the handle is colored white with the word SAFE showing. By placing the handle to the SAFE position, it causes a pinto be inserted into the ejection firing mechanism. This prevents withdrawal of the sears from the dual seat initiators. SHOULDER HARNESS CONTROL HAN- DLE.— The shoulder harness control handle (11) and seat height adjustment switch (10) are mounted on the left side of the seat bucket. The shoulder harness control handle is connected to the inertia reel. The seat height adjustment switch controls electrical power to the seat height actuator motor. MANUAL OVERRIDE HANDLE.— The manual override handle (17) is located on the right side of the seat bucket. The handle is connected to the lower restraint mechanism. It is also connected to the manual override initiator. MANUAL OVERRIDE INITIATOR.— The manual override initiator (19) is mounted in a covered compartment in the lower aft right side of the seat bucket. A linkage connects the sear to the manual override handle. Pulling the handle releases the lower restraints. Full upward movement of the handle is prevented by the pin puller. However, during ejection, the pin puller is automatically retracted. This allows the manual override handle to pull the sear from the manual override initiator, which will override the automatic sequencing. This is accomplished by routing gas pressure to the time-release mechanism and the secondary cartridge of the drogue gun. PIN PULLER.— The pin puller (20) (fig. 6-20) (also shown in fig. 6-23) is located on the aft right side of the seat bucket. Full aft rotation of the manual override handle is prevented by the pin puller. A pin extended from the pin puller engages a slot in the manual override linkage. During the ejection sequence, gas pressure from the right seat initiator cartridge retracts the pin. ROCKET MOTOR.— The rocket motor (8) is attached to the bottom of the seat bucket. A rigid line from the rocket motor firing mechanism is connected to the inboard trombone fitting on the aft left side of the seat bucket. The trombone fitting interfaces with the rocket motor initiator, which is located on the main beam assembly. The rocket motor consists of a firing mechanism, igniter cartridge., manifold, four nozzles, and 17 propellant tubes. Gas pressure from the rocket motor initiator forces the firing mechanism into the igniter cartridge. The rocket motor ignites as the catapult nears the end of its extension and raises the ejection seat to a height sufficient for a safe ejection, even if the aircraft has zero speed and zero altitude. The rocket motor produces approximately 4,500 pounds of thrust for 0.25 second. The nozzles on the seat are positioned forward and outward. This positioning allows the thrust to pass close to the center of gravity of the ejection seat and pilot. SEAT SURVIVAL KIT.— The SKU-3/A seat survival kit (fig. 6-24) consists of a two-piece bonded fiber glass container and a seat cushion. The kit is located in the seat bucket and functions as a seating platform for the pilot. The survival kit contains the torso harness attachments, locking system, retaining lanyard, survival equipment, radio beacon, and emergency oxygen. A bracket for insertion of the negative-g strap is mounted 6-33