The ejection experience of the Royal Australian Air Force: 1951-92

This paper reviews the ejection experience of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) between 1951 and 1992. During this period 84 aircrew ejected from their aircraft, with 77 survivors and 7 fatalities. The causes of these ejections were examined, and the injuries received by the ejectees were classified into four categories: fatal, major, minor, and no injuries. Vertebral fractures were the most common type of major injury (35%). Most ejectees received at least one minor injury. There were 7 reported cases in which the ejectee received no injuries. The RAAF ejection experience was found to be comparable with other international series, both in terms of survival rates and injury patterns.