Helicopter escape compartment and all-in-one control column

Citation

(2002), "Helicopter escape compartment and all-in-one control column", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 74 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2002.12774aad.006

Helicopter escape compartment and all-in-one control column

Keyword: Helicopters

In GB Patent 2355439 Andrew Thomas Pike describes a helicopter made in two separate pieces. Connected together freely by a wheel lock, the passenger compartment separates when the upright all-in-one control column (ie collective, control and foot pedals in one unit) is pushed into a slot on the floor and the wheel lock turns to release the pod. Rockets then fire to separate engineer from passengers. A rocket tilts the engineer backwards and upwards whilst another rocket pushes the passenger compartment forward. The control column then shoots out under the pilot's seat. The parachutes then unfurl and brings down the passenger compartment safely to earth.