Good news! Because of your exceptional flying skills you have been chosen for a special delivery mission!
Bad news, it's an extremely dangerous new prototype weapon.
Good news! It's an inert weapon that relies on speed to inflict damage, not explosives!
Bad news, the propulsion system is easily activated.
Good news! The weapon is secured to your plane so it won't go anywhere if you activate the weapon!
Bad news, it isn't secured very well.
Good news! You have an escape pod!

So, if while you're flying along you happen to accidentally activate the weapon (group 4) you can open the rear hatch (group 2 and vtol up) and hop in your escape pod to hightail it out of the plane (group 1). Because you're definitely going to want to get off the plane before the weapon detaches (group 5).