Pilot Trapped in F-22 - Canopy cut apart [Archive]

Vandervahn

04-21-2006, 09:24 AM

See, this is just proof that the computerized "glass cockpit" has gone too far. He was just too embarrassed to admit that he forgot that opening the canopy is Ctrl-Shift-O.

Didn´t you hear that they scrapped the keyboard during development?

One testpilot tried to reboot the computers by CTLR-ALT-DEL ... instead he engaged the ejection seat...

Frost

04-21-2006, 10:33 AM

Didn´t you hear that they scrapped the keyboard during development?

One testpilot tried to reboot the computers by CTLR-ALT-DEL ... instead he engaged the ejection seat...

One an other one pressed anter and got a bluescreen. And when he tried to open the flightmanual 101, he got 404 error.

2Sheds_Jackson

04-21-2006, 10:44 AM

Pfft he really should be much more 1337 and use the ~ console....it's +canopy

CG51

04-21-2006, 11:10 AM

Pfft he really should be much more 1337 and use the ~ console....it's +canopy

:lol: i thought it was hud_fastswitch 1

saigonsmuggler

04-21-2006, 11:23 AM

$182,205??? for a piece of glass??

Vandervahn

04-21-2006, 12:09 PM

$182,205??? for a piece of glass??

Not glass, special hi-tech reinforced polycarbonates with several metal (gold?) layers to improve VLO features. All of this in a perfectly symmetrical canopy shape, several centimeters thick and incredibly hard to manufacture ;)

Still, $180.000 is an impressive price...

HoboWithAK

04-21-2006, 12:10 PM

$182,205??? for a piece of glass??

It's a little more complicated than that...

Blarney

04-21-2006, 12:24 PM

would hate to eject out of that plane....*thunk*

saigonsmuggler

04-21-2006, 12:27 PM

It's a little more complicated than that...
yes I realized that but still... thats a price of a Ferrari...

toki

04-21-2006, 12:40 PM

On a sidenote i just noticed that the head of the pilot is just a little over the "beltline" (don't know how to call it) of the canopy.

I only remember that it was a trend that all third generation fighters had higher seats compared to older models to enhance their cockpit-sight. The canopy almost reached the elbows in some jets. Compare a F-4 to a F-15. It seems it isn't that important anymore. (Stealth features? Engaging beyond visual range?) The old-school dogfights are outdated anyway. Or is the angle misleading and i over interpete it? :oops:

Vandervahn

04-21-2006, 12:49 PM

No, the photo angle is mostly horizontal which can be seen from the protective bars of the platform where the firefighters stand.

But the pilot seems to have opened the safety belt and crouched as low as possible into the cockpit to protect himself. On the source page of the picture (http://pogoblog.typepad.com/pogo/2006/04/why_is_this_man.html) you can see that the head usually should be as high as the headrest (first and second picture), while it is clearly a few centimeters lower in the pic of the canopy opening.

That canopy definately weighs quite much, so it wouldnt be too benefitial if it had slipped the grasp of the resque guys and had landed on the pilot´s head ;)

JoaMei

04-21-2006, 12:54 PM

would hate to eject out of that plane....*thunk*

I think the ejection Mechanism still works, but that would cost even more and the Pilot will most likely get hurt.

signatory

04-21-2006, 01:04 PM

I think the ejection Mechanism still works, but that would cost even more and the Pilot will most likely get hurt.

Yea things get done a bit differently in peace time.
2 ejections and his career as a jet pilot is over. For medical safety reasons.

They could probably have fixed it by less violent means but maybe not in a acceptable time frame. Like call in a specialist on F-22.. 2 hours later he arrive and 2 hours further says; "Uh actually... I dunno." ...

WarriorMonk

04-21-2006, 01:09 PM

well sh*t, someone got stuck - this is only the first time - if this happened repeatedly then there would be a valid case for another problem with the Raptor.

RomanS

04-21-2006, 01:31 PM

How do we defeat a powerful American wonder weapon F-22?

Easy comrades, we come up with a Trojan missle filled with dirty infected ****

Seraphim

04-21-2006, 01:51 PM

Noisy? ;)

1234567890

akruse

04-21-2006, 04:07 PM

Yea things get done a bit differently in peace time.
2 ejections and his career as a jet pilot is over. For medical safety reasons.

They could probably have fixed it by less violent means but maybe not in a acceptable time frame. Like call in a specialist on F-22.. 2 hours later he arrive and 2 hours further says; "Uh actually... I dunno." ...

the two ejections and out is an old myth. If you look on the top of the ACES II seat it has a point that will punch thru the canopy if the process is flawed.

toki

04-21-2006, 04:14 PM

the two ejections and out is an old myth. If you look on the top of the ACES II seat it has a point that will punch thru the canopy if the process is flawed.
I read on f-16.net that not every type has approval for a "through the canopy" ejection. It may differ from one model of f.e. F-15 to another. And i read that most F-16 (or all?) don't have it due to the strentgh and flexibility(!) of the canopy*. In those cases it all relies on the small rocket engines included in the canopy frame.
And it seems the F-22 has a canopy that doesn't allow this kind of ejection, too.

Generally possible, but depending on the canopy.

*I also read there, that in case of a birdstrike there can go a wave through the f-16 canopy that can even touch the head of the pilot without breaking. Thee flexibility is due to the frameless design and special materials. Of course it is damaged afterwards and needs to be replaced.

signatory

04-21-2006, 04:45 PM

the two ejections and out is an old myth.

Maybe it's a myth.

Steven Crawford A1C US Air Force MHAFB, ID says

I’m an F-16 Crew Chief. I work in the phase hanger and know exactly where the parking lot is. Oh and Paul. It is true there is a limit to how many Ejections a Pilot can have before they have to retire as a pilot. And it is only twice. Each time the Pilot Ejects that pilot will lose about a half an inch to their height. So The US Air Force only allows two ejections per lifetime.
http://www.rapp.org/archives/2004/01/thunderbird_crash/

akruse

04-21-2006, 08:26 PM

Maybe it's a myth.

Steven Crawford A1C US Air Force MHAFB, ID says

http://www.rapp.org/archives/2004/01/thunderbird_crash/

nope, its a myth. Numerous actual pilots have all said its a myth
http://www.f-16.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=4495&highlight=limit

nick_ua

04-22-2006, 03:34 AM

Why the protective suits? Hazardeous substances?
yeh angry pilot

ZaakM433

04-22-2006, 03:39 PM

their not just paying to replace the glass either, a large portion of the gear in the cockpit will need to be replaced due to the work and mess inside...

Azide

04-22-2006, 05:50 PM

If he ejected the rocket flames would have messed up all the LCD's and buttons adding another $1 million in repair damage.

JoaMei

04-22-2006, 06:35 PM

the two ejections and out is an old myth. If you look on the top of the ACES II seat it has a point that will punch thru the canopy if the process is flawed.

This has nothing to do with the canopy, its about the heavy G-load on the backbone when the seat accelerates.

usa320

04-22-2006, 09:15 PM

Why the protective suits?

I dunno, maybe to protect them from flying pieces of glass?

;)

akruse

04-22-2006, 09:36 PM

This has nothing to do with the canopy, its about the heavy G-load on the backbone when the seat accelerates.

This i know. The backbone is fine after ejection. Many hundreds of pilots have ejected and havent "shrunk" like everyone thinks. Its a myth, the two ejection rule that is.

Vandervahn

04-22-2006, 09:43 PM

This i know. The backbone is fine after ejection. Many hundreds of pilots have ejected and havent "shrunk" like everyone thinks. Its a myth, the two ejection rule that is.

You cannot say that. Yes, many have gone through an ejection without being harmed. But there is a whole lot of others that were severely hurt to the point of being permanently disabled (in many different ways) - or even killed. Leaving a plane sitting on a rocket is definately one of the most hazardous thing to do in an aircraft short of crashing.

akruse

04-22-2006, 11:15 PM

You cannot say that. Yes, many have gone through an ejection without being harmed. But there is a whole lot of others that were severely hurt to the point of being permanently disabled (in many different ways) - or even killed. Leaving a plane sitting on a rocket is definately one of the most hazardous thing to do in an aircraft short of crashing.

i'm not arguing that point with you at all. Of course you are going to be jacked up when being rocketed out of an airplane. What i'm saying is there is no regulation stating that once you eject 2 times you are done. Also the spine doesnt shrink or the body doesnt "lose" inches after an ejection. Check out this guys site, its got some good stuff.
http://www.ejectionsite.com/ffacts.htm

Mastermind

04-22-2006, 11:38 PM

It's embarrassing. Personal: I was going for a check-out ride in a Grumman 4 seat Travellor private AC...the cocpit canopy slides back like on a fighter plane. The pilot slammed the canopy forward as we were ready for take off and twisted the latch to the right..which locks it...and he immediately said..."Oh, sh*t!" I said.."What's wrong?" He said, "I left the key to the cockpit hanging on the wall in the office." I said.."So?" he said..."We can't get out...I locked the cockpit." I said, "Oh, crap!"...we taxied back to the maintenance parking outside the FPO and instead of calling for help, because the fire dept. would almost certainly destroy the cockpit trying to get us out, (I didn't care...it was not my airplane)...he began fiddling with it..after thirty minutes or so, the sweat was pouring out of both of us and the windows were steamed up...summer and no AC...and the vents don't work well idling on the ground...engine heats up etc...finally, I asked him if I could try it...I took out my trusty Leatherman tool and found two little nuts on the inside of the latch barely attainable, and managed to loosen them just enough to force the latch back and release us. I was greatly relieved...it was getting pretty damn hot in there.

So..I identify with the poor pilot in this episode.

chillycraps

04-23-2006, 12:07 AM

...I took out my trusty Leatherman tool and found two little nuts on the inside of the latch barely attainable, and managed to loosen them just enough to force the latch back and release us. I was greatly relieved...it was getting pretty damn hot in there.

So..I identify with the poor pilot in this episode.
looks like the poor F-22 pilot didn't bring along his Leatherman...

would pistol help?

akruse

04-23-2006, 12:43 AM

looks like the poor F-22 pilot didn't bring along his Leatherman...

would pistol help?

pistol would definatley not help matters. At work we have had a couple of pilots get stuck for a while after either the linkage jams or the shear bolt shears. Its a lways a good time to watch his face when it happens. We just hook up the cooling air and he just hangs out till we figure out how to get her open. Never have had to break the canopy though. Something unique definately.

Creeper

04-23-2006, 02:46 AM

In 5 yrs working on GD a/c , never had a canopy stuck. Boils down to GD versus LMA !
LOL!

akruse

04-23-2006, 02:51 AM

In 5 yrs working on GD a/c , never had a canopy stuck. Boils down to GD versus LMA !
LOL!

yeah the whole hydraulic system on the 15 sucks ass canopy wise

Creeper

04-23-2006, 03:06 AM

yeah the whole hydraulic system on the 15 sucks ass canopy wise
Never worked on the -15, shhit happens though.

XShipRider

04-23-2006, 07:18 AM

Thank God the pilot didn't have to eject.

MkH

04-25-2006, 07:47 AM

For some reason this (http://www.evil-products.com/movies/go_aziz.htm) was the first thing to come in my mind.

gaz

05-03-2006, 01:52 PM

A wonderful piece of journalism (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17018688&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=top-gun-stuck-in--pound-75m-jet--name_page.html) from the Daily Mirror covering this.

signatory

05-27-2006, 10:17 AM

bump

F-22 canopy jam blamed on loose screws

By Michael Fabey
Special to the Times

Screws used to mount parts in the cockpit jammed the canopy of an F-22 Raptor on April 10, locking a pilot inside one of the stealthy fighter jet at Langley Air Force Base, Va., officials with the Air Force and F-22 prime contractor officials said May 26.

The Air Force plans no official investigation into the incident, in which the pilot sat for nearly five hours while rescue crews cut open the canopy with a rotary saw.

An unofficial investigation concluded mounting screws “backed out” and caused the jam, they said.

Contractor and service officials called the chances of another jam “remote,” but Lockheed says it will install a fix — longer screws — and the Air Force will inspect all Raptor canopies.

Neither the service nor the contractor could say how long it would to outfit all of the Raptors with the longer screws, nor how much it would cost.

They said the early estimates of the damage to the Raptor, about $182,000, was too high. It will likely cost closer to $83,000.