Originally Posted by
dba74
Interesting tidbit from the article:
They'll also have two parachutes.
In the worst-case scenario, they can flip a switch behind them that will blow out eight windows to depressurize the airplane. Another switch will detonate a charge to blow off an exit door behind the right wing. Then they can jump.
Every test airplane I've ever seen had to have an escape system for the crew. Some were very elaborate, like the Citation. It had a det cord lined area in the belly behind the co-pilot seat that would blow a hole in the skin big enough to bail out through and a bungee cord actuated spoiler that extended from the hole. Others were as simple as a knotted rope along the ceiling to get to the main door on the Cessna 330 (which became the 340) Unfortunately that didn't work too well for a test pilot that didn't make it out of the first 330.