Do helicopters have ejection seats?

Most helicopters do not have ejection seats. Ejection seats are more commonly found in fixed-wing aircraft, particularly fighter jets and high-performance military aircraft. The design and operation of helicopters present unique challenges that make ejection seats impractical.

Here are a few reasons why helicopters typically do not use ejection seats:

1. Rotor Blades: Helicopters have rotor blades above and around the cockpit, making it challenging for an ejection seat to operate without the risk of colliding with the rotating blades. Ejecting through the rotor system would likely be extremely hazardous.
2. Low Altitude Operations: Helicopters often operate at lower altitudes compared to high-speed fighter jets. Ejecting at low altitudes may not provide sufficient time for a parachute to deploy and could lead to a dangerous descent.
3. Complex Cockpit Layout: The cockpit of a helicopter is generally more enclosed and complex than that of a fixed-wing aircraft. This complexity can make it difficult to design an effective ejection system without compromising safety.
4. Alternative Safety Measures: Helicopters are equipped with alternative safety measures, such as emergency landings and autorotations. Pilots are trained to perform autorotations, a maneuver where the helicopter descends with unpowered rotors, allowing for a controlled landing in the case of an engine failure.

While ejection seats are not a standard feature in helicopters, some military helicopters may have other safety systems in place. For example, certain military helicopters have armored seats and escape hatches that allow the crew to exit the helicopter on the ground in an emergency.