an improved crashworthy helicopter seat primarily for combat aircraft includes at least upper , intermediate and lower pairs of energy absorbers attached between the seat bucket and the frame of the aircraft and operable in both tension and compression . the energy absorbers comprise a plurality of telescoped tubes interfitted into one another and having coils of wire frictionally engaged between adjoining tubes such that energy is dissipated by motion of the tubes relative to one another through the plastic deformation of the coils of wire . the energy absorbers are adjustable to optimize safety parameters of occupants of the seat under a range of potential crash conditions including the most probable crash condition , for occupants having a substantial range of weight and size . adjustability of the energy absorbers is accomplished by intermediate electromechanical apparatus which is responsive to the girth of the occupant of the seat as determined by the extension of an adjustable lap belt fastened around the torso of the occupant of the seat .