Abstract: An emergency exit system for use on a helicopter or other aircraft includes a frame (4) defining an opening (6) for receiving a panel (8) to close the opening (6); a plurality of latches (10, 117) for releasably securing the panel (8) in the opening (6); a plurality of release mechanisms (12); a cable (45, 118) extending around at least a major portion of the frame (4) for releasing the panel (8); and a plurality of actuators (14) strategically located around the opening and connected to the cable (45, 118), whereby actuation of any one of the actuators (14) causes simultaneous release of all of the latches (10, 117) so that the panel (8) can be jettisoned.

Abstract: An emergency exit system for use primarily in a helicopter or other aircraft includes a panel closing an opening in the fuselage of the aircraft, a plurality of latches for releasably securing the panel in the opening; a release mechanism including slides on each side of the opening for retracting the latches to release the panel; a drive for operating the slides, a drive latch for releasably locking the drive in a cocked condition; and a plurality of principal grab bars strategically located in recesses adjacent to the opening and connected to the drive by cables, whereby actuation of any one of the grab bars causes simultaneous release of all of the latches so that the panel can be jettisoned.