IN THE HOT SEAT

Journalist Sherlyn Quek enjoys a fling on the Ejection Seat Trainer (EST) at the Republic of Singapore Air Force Aeromedical Centre.

Ever wished you could instantly exit an awkward conversation? Waiting for my turn on the EST - which launches air crew up at four times the force of gravity (4Gs) - I mused that this catapult-like machine would have come in handy to escape from certain unpleasant situations.

For fighter pilots and weapon systems officers, the situation would obviously be much more dire. If the aircraft has been severely damaged or is suffering from a critical malfunction and the air crew assess that they will not be able to land the aircraft safely, the only option left may be to abandon the aircraft in order to save their lives.

All it takes is a few seconds. Sounds easy? After my hair-raising ride in the Human Training Centrifuge (read the last issue of PIONEER, people!), I thought it would be a breeze.

Well, it's true that the ejection drill is pretty simple. Just pull the ejection handles (at the sides or in the middle of the seat between the legs, depending on the aircraft type) and BAM! The ejection seat is fired and shoots up the rail tower of the EST.

Air crew, however, cannot take these yearly drills lightly. Captain (CPT) (Dr) Magdalene Lee, my guide at the Aeromedical Centre, educated me on the serious injuries that could result from improper ejection techniques.

When the aircraft is in flight, the ejection seat is likely to propel the air crew out at speeds generating 12 to 20Gs. At that spine-crushing force, you could easily snap your neck or back.

Adopting the right posture is thus a must. Not exactly good news for someone like me who used to be scolded for being kiao gu (Hokkien for hunchback).

As I was strapped into the seat, the EST operators advised me to sit up straight, pressing my head firmly against the headrest. "Whatever you do, don't look down."

I also had to tuck my elbows in tight and keep them locked against the sides of my body. Air crew are taught to adopt this position to prevent their arms from flailing (which could cause possible fracture or dislocation of the upper limbs from the windblast they would encounter on ejection).

Stomach clenching in anticipation, I pulled the yellow ejection handles.

And then nothing.

I resisted the almost overwhelming urge to glance down, recalling that CPT (Dr) Lee had told me about a 0.5-second lag between pulling the handles and the seat actually firing.

A bang, like a pistol shot, suddenly sounded and WHOOSH! My legs were now dangling 10 feet in the air.

Walking away (with a slight ache in my neck), I reflected that perhaps it was time to really improve my posture. Now, if only I could somehow use the EST during long meetings...