I was watching a video of the first A350 flight. At 0:35 one of the pilots appears to be wearing a helmet and what looks like a parachute. Is that true? Do pilots on maiden flights wear such a kit, so that in case of an emergency they can evacuate the airplane?
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3$\begingroup$ The A350 test pilots were wearing helmets, parachutes and also lifejackets. This blog post has details and pictures of the emergency evacuation system on the A350 test flight. $\endgroup$– Colin PickardJul 17, 2014 at 10:49
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1$\begingroup$ @ColinPickard Note that that says "on some test flights". They don't on all. I remember seeing an A380 test (I forget what it's called), flying at V_md, where they mentioned that was the only test flight they flew with all evac gear on (otherwise it is merely onboard the aircraft in case it is needed). $\endgroup$– gsneddersJul 23, 2014 at 15:27
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2 Answers
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To the best of my knowledge, all commercial aircraft being tested have their pilots take on parachutes and hi-vis clothing in addition to creating a possible means of egress on all important flights, such as the first flight and high-speed tests.
Since getting the cabin doors open is practically difficult, the solution I think most producers use is to built a chute down the front cargo entrance which can open.
Bombardier produced a pretty extensive film for their new CSeries.
Here's the solution employed on the Concorde:
answered Jul 16, 2014 at 22:01
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1$\begingroup$ CONCORDE! :D Parachutes sound a bit absurd on it though because you'd probably get screwed at FL 600 and at Mach 2 if something happened up there. $\endgroup$ Jul 22, 2014 at 8:02
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$\begingroup$ And, where do you fall out when you open the hatch? Wouldn't your escape be obstructed by the cargo hold? $\endgroup$ Jul 22, 2014 at 8:03
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1$\begingroup$ @shortstheory it's been years since I've seen any of the prototype Concordes; my memory is under that door is a chute all the way down to the bottom of the fuselage. $\endgroup$ Jul 23, 2014 at 15:21
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$\begingroup$ Hey guys, don't worry its only an "intermediate" cover, the real cover is probably somewhere else. $\endgroup$ Oct 26, 2014 at 6:27
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Since getting the cabin doors open is practically difficult
No, that's not the (main) reason.
There's something called a wing ... which has engines mounted to it !
Not a very good idea to jump out of a door if you're likely to be sucked into an engine on your way out !
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2$\begingroup$ What about rear mounted engines (DC-9, most if not all private jets, etc.) Also you would be blasted by jet exhaust. $\endgroup$– ptgflyerDec 25, 2014 at 16:50
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$\begingroup$ @shortstheory A forward chute could be easier to reach than a tail door, from the cockpit of a doomed pilotless plane. $\endgroup$– DronzJul 7, 2015 at 22:25
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$\begingroup$ @ptgflyer: The DC-9 has an exit in the tailcone, behind even its engines (I have no idea whether it could have been used for bailing out of the aircraft, though). $\endgroup$– VikkiApr 20, 2019 at 21:37