How many initiators can fire all four hatches of the flotation equipment deployment system?

The flotation equipment deployment system on the C-17 is designed for emergency situations that require the rapid deployment of flotation devices in water. The system is engineered for reliability and efficiency, which is why it has a specific configuration regarding the number of initiators.

In this context, the correct answer indicates that a single initiator is capable of firing all four hatches. This design simplifies the operation during emergency scenarios, ensuring that the crew can quickly deploy flotation devices by activating just one initiator, reducing the complexity and potential for errors during critical moments.

Choosing a single initiator helps streamline the process, limits the points of failure, and enhances the reliability of the flotation deployment system. This also means that the system can be effectively managed with minimal actions required from the crew, allowing them to maintain focus on other vital tasks during emergency operations.