Inertia device
 

So I have some questions about inertia escape devices. How many freight airlines use them? And has anyone used one for real? Also what's everyone's thought about their effectiveness?

They don't work as well as the ejection seats my freight airline has installed. But they're better than the bungee cords they used to give us.

Sigh... OK it was a serious question. I fly a 767 that's equipped with them.

K4 has them on all our 747-400 and 747-200 freighters....

Much better the the 32ft/sec/sec you'll get without one.

I guess that about wraps it up.

Does anybody have a picture (or link) to what these inertial reels look like?

- Thanks ...

We had them on the Airbus. It turns out they were designed for the 747 and C5. Training department had a LCA demo it for a video and they found out the inertial part didn't kick in until it was too late. Fortunately, they had placed mattresses on the ground. The reels were removed and replaced with ropes. I'd make sure the reels were designed for your aircraft height.

Even better, a YouTube video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y5lNVbBeiU

Note that the guy who exits first, moves forward and keeps the metal band away from the next one out the hatch. If it was loose, I think it would be like sliding on a razor blade.....