Presented at SAFE Europe 2026, this talk by Tim Clark explores the crisis threatening British Cold War heritage aviation. Severe supply chain shortages for ejection seat components, regulatory barriers, and OEM liability concerns risk permanently grounding historic jets. Discover the proposed solutions—including a collaborative framework, permissive data licensing, and regulatory education—to safely secure the future of heritage flight.

The Indian DRDO’s successful high-speed ejection test signals a pivotal shift in the global escape system market. For decades, high technical barriers have preserved a Western duopoly, preventing even emerging aerospace powers like China from gaining significant export traction. This achievement marks a "genie out of the bottle" moment. By leveraging this capability to develop indigenous systems and offer independent testing services, India is now positioned to challenge esta

Are we at "peak" ejection seat? With the rise of AI, will manned jets exist in 2055? Yes, but the role will evolve from "pilot" to "ITACC" (In Theatre Aerial Combat Conductor). The human in the loop remains essential for accountability. Surprisingly, the future of escape systems might not be "auto-eject" tech (too complex to certify), but a revolution in comfort: better plumbing, lighter helmets, and dynamic cushions to support long-endurance missions.