seats. The command eject control, on the right side of
The pilot is the primary person to initiate command
the center console extension next to the ECMO #1
ejection, though modifications to the system have
ejection seat, is accessible to the pilot and ECMO #1
allowed ECMO #1 to have the ability to select
during flight and allows either of the two crewmembers
command ejection. The following paragraphs will
to select who shall initiate command ejection. The
discuss command sequenced ejection, normal
command eject control is the command eject control
command position, ECMO command position, ejection
handle assembly (marked CMD EJECT SELECT) and
sequence below and above 13,000 1,500 feet, ejection
an ejection mode selector valve operated by the handle
sequence for manual separation, and separation of
assembly.
parachute from crewmembers.
NORMAL COMMAND POSITION
COMMAND SEQUENCED EJECTION
With the CMD EJECT SELECT handle in
Upon activation of either the pilot's face curtain or
t h e N O R M ( p i l o t 's ) c o m m a n d p o s i t i o n ,
lower ejection handle, the following series of events
command-sequenced ejections and individual initiated
will occur on ejection seats not having the ECMO #1
ejections are similar to unmodified ejection seats,
command ejection capability:
except that in each case the ECMO #1 sequence gas
1. The pilot's harness retraction unit firing
generator sear is extracted and the cartridge is fired.
mechanism sear, the ejection gun time delay
Pressurized gas from the fired ECMO #1 sequence gas
firing mechanism sear, and the sequence gas
generator cartridge enters the INLET port of the
generator sear are extracted by rotation of the
selector valve and exits through the DUMP port and
cross shaft assembly and movement of the
into the cockpit area.
linkage assembly, levers, and operating rods.
ECMO COMMAND POSITION
2. The cartridge within the harness retraction unit
breech is fired and the unit automatically pulls
With the CMD EJECT SELECT handle in the
back and restrains the seat occupant in the
ECMO command position, ECMO #1 is able to initiate
correct ejection position.
command-sequenced ejection. Upon activation of
3. The time delay firing mechanism on top of the
either the ECMO #1 ejection seat face curtain or lower
ejection gun is activated and the cartridge
ejection handle, the following will occur:
within the sequence gas generator breech is
1. The ECMO #1 harness retraction unit, ejection
fired.
gun time delay mechanisms sear, and the
4. Through a series of flexible and rigid gas lines,
sequence gas generator sear are extracted by
pressurized gas from the fired pilot's sequence
the rotation of the cross shaft assembly and
gas generator cartridge actuates the
movement of the linkage assembly, levers, and
gas-actuated piston assembly on each of the
operating rods.
three ECMO ejection seats.
2. The cartridge within the harness retraction unit
5. Upward movement of the piston assembly
breech is fired and the unit automatically pulls
rotates the cross shaft assembly, levers, and
back and restrains the seat occupant in the
operating rod, and withdraws the sears from
correct ejection position.
the harness retraction unit firing mechanism
3. The time delay firing mechanism on top of the
and the ejection gun time delay firing
ejection gun is activated and the cartridge
mechanism.
within the sequence gas generator breech is
The pilot's ejection seat has been modified to be
fired.
identical with the ECMO #1 ejection seat with the
4. Pressurized gas from the fired sequence gas
addition of the gas-actuated piston assembly and the
generator cartridge enters the INLET port of
modified cross shaft assembly. The ECMO #1
the selector valve and exits through the
sequence gas generator and the pilot's gas-actuated
OUTLET port to actuate the pilot's ejection
piston assembly are connected to gas sequencing lines
seat gas-actuated piston assembly.
that connect the command eject control to both ejection
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