Reminds me of a squadron mate who successfully ditched a North American FJ-3
Fury. Since the FJ-3 engine inlet was in the nose we had been told a water
landing would result in water ramming through that nose intake splitting the
fuselage (and pilot) apart. However he managed it because he was in the
carrier landing pattern when he stalled the plane. Fortunately it dropped in
tail first. It went completely under and popped up. He stood up and jumped
as the plane went out from under him. The plane guard helo plucked him from
Neptune's arms.

His squadron mate was not so lucky. He went off the cat with the wings
spread but not fully locked. With possibly no aileron control (we never
knew) he rolled over and made his "final landing" one day before Christmas
1956. Hopefully his wife and two kids were not informed until after they had
enjoyed Christmas.

WDA

end

"Cockpit Colin" spam@n ospam.com wrote in message
...
I've read about the experiences of a few pilots who have had to eject - by
all accounts it's an extremely violent process which none would care to
repeat. Obviously it's done as a last alternative when the potential
benefits out weigh the considerable risks.

In the GA world it's not an option that we have - so in the event of, say,
an engine failure, our only option is to go for a forced landing - which
in
my case is almost certainly going to mean a flat farmers paddock.

I'd be curious to know how many "military fast jet" pilots would, in the
event of a total engine failure contemplate/attempt a forced landing into
the likes of a farmers paddock versus ejection?

My thinking is that on one hand a GA plane is relatively flimsily built
but
capable of landing at a much lower speed - on the other hand a "military
fast jet" is built to withstand many g's (so very strong construction) -
and
the pilot is secured to the aircraft with a very effective harness - with
his head protected by a helmet (all advantages over a GA pilot) - but of
course committed to landing at a higher speed.

In the above scenario would a forced landing ever be an option - or would
first choice always be ejection?

Thanks for your thoughts.

CC