The decision to develop the Mk.15 seat followed research carried out among military operators of the Pilatus PC7. This showed that while they were satisfied with the aircraft’s performance in its role of trainer, many would have liked the extra safety and reassurance of a high quality ejection system.
With the addition of ejection seats, the PC7 gains a greater degree of similarity with operational aircraft and student can receive early instruction on the disciplines necessary for working with this type of safety device.
Specifications
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Specifications
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Mk15 CH15A
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Operating ceiling
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40,000 ft (12,192 m)
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Minimum height/speed
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Zero/60 in near level attitude
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Crew boarding mass range
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Not known
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Crew size range
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PC7 specific crew size range
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Maximum Speed for ejection
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300 KIAS
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Parachute type
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GQ Type 3000
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Parachute deployment
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Drogue assisted
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Drogue parachute
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Yes
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Drogue deployment
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Cartridge initiated
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Harness type
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Combined
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Ejection seat operation type
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Ejection guns
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Ejection gun
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Twin
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Ejection initiation
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Handle on seat pan initiates gas operated seat
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firing system
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Automatic back-up unit
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No
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Electronic sequencer
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No
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Barostatic time-release unit
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Yes, cartridge initiated
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Timers
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Drogue gun time delay
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Seat adjustment
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Reaction cord system
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Arm restraints
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Firing handle remains attached to seat pan to
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help prevent flailing
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Leg restraints
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No
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Oxygen supply
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Bottled emergency oxygen
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Personal survival pack (PSP)
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Yes, manual deployment and liferaft inflation
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(if carried)
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Aircrew services
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No
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Command ejection
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No
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Canopy jettison
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No
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Miniature detonating cord
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No
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Canopy fracturing system
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Gas fired bullet
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Interseat sequencing system
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No
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How it works
Seat firing handle pulled causing seat initiation cartridge to fire
Seat pan front cross beam latches release, PSP drop down panel lowerd to allow aircrew’s legs to assume correct position for ejection
Harness retraction unit operated
Negative-g strap released
Primary cartridge fires
Canopy fragmentation bullet fires
Top latches disengage, seat rises up rails
Drogue gun time-delay mechanism initiated
Barostatic time-release unit (BTRU) initiated
Emergency oxygen supplied to aircrew
Drogue deploys to stabilise and decreases velocity of seat
Barostatic time release unit monitors the altitude
Above pre-determined altitude -
- Seat falls, stabilised by drogue
- Emergency oxygen supply continues
Below pre-determined altitude -
- BTRU mechanism operates, cartridge fires
(If BTRU fails manual deployment also available by pulling manual
override handle)
- Harness reel strap and parachute canopy withdrawal line released
- Drogue gun cartridge fires to deploy drogue
- Lower harness locks released
Drogue extracts and deploys the main parachute canopy
Main parachute canopy fully deploys and lifts aircrew and personal survival pack (PSP) from seat
PSP manually lowered on drop line below aircrew
Normal parachute descent follows
Manual opening of PSP
Manual initiation of liferaft inflation (if carried)
Variants
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Country
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Aircraft
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Seat Designation
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BRUNEI
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PC-7
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CH15A
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IRAN
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PC-7
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CH15A
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IRAQ
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PC-7
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CH15A
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MALAYSIA
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PC-7
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CH15A
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SOUTH AFRICA
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PC-7
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CH15A
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SWITZERLAND
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PC-7
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CH15A
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