ABSTRACT
The development of the ejection seat was a direct consequence of the technological advances in aircraft design and performance that occurred during the Second World War. Prior to this conflict, parachutes were the only option for escape from aircraft. Using canopy breakers to penetrate the canopy can create a higher risk of neck injuries, depending on ejection posture and sitting height of the aircrew. In reviewing the possible injuries that may arise during ejection, it is useful to consider them in terms of the various phases of the ejection sequence. The sequence can be thought of as consisting of five phases: the catapult phase, the aircraft separation phase, the in-seat flight phase, the parachute descent phase, and the landing phase. While each model of ejection seat will have different performance specifications, the modern ejection seat typically has a number of common performance specifications.
