Quote Originally Posted by Saltfever View Post
A couple of things to think about, Frank. The pilot restraint system is designed to attenuate a sudden stop from the front. That stretch in belts is what lowers the G-force to the human body. If it was a flat orientation, sudden stop, it might be possible the landing gear could lessen some of the impact to the spine but it's quite possible he would have a broken back. The problem with the CG attach point is the ability to easily pitch up or down from the flat position by some disturbance like wind. If the engine was running the prop would cut the parachute lines and . . . !

PS: Commercial airlines seats are designed to attenuate a vertical force, but not so in general aviation.
You are right about that. I was looking at it from another perspective. In the rotary wing world if the distance of fall is great enough the pilot can control the collective pitch keeping the rotor tip speed above 90% up to 125% creating a cushion of air with balancing the positive and negative pressure reducing the descent velocity. If he can get the rotor tip speed high enough, before touching down he can increase the pitch angle to create a higher rate of lift whole the blades slow down greatly reducing the impact. without enough altitude coming in at a 30% nose down angle reduces the impact force the troops in the rear of the hello will suffer.

When I mentioned a cg connection, I should have made it a slight nose down angle maybe 5 to 15% This would give the pilot some control of direction allowing him to possibly chose his landing zone. By utilizing the flaps, he could create a cushion of air around the wings creating some lift. tail control would prevent flat spin. It is unlikely the prop could ever cut the lines unless the plane went nose up. But like you said coming in at a nose down forward angle of at least 30% could reduce spinal injuries.