Fighter jets and pressurization
07-20-2008, 01:28 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Fighter jets and pressurization
Hi all,
How do fighter jets regulate pressurization in the cockpit? With the vertical speeds attainable, what's it like in there? Does it vary? By how much? How does the pressurization system keep your ears from killing you with pain?
How do fighter jets regulate pressurization in the cockpit? With the vertical speeds attainable, what's it like in there? Does it vary? By how much? How does the pressurization system keep your ears from killing you with pain?
07-20-2008, 04:16 PM
#2
With The Resistance
Joined APC: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by Senior Skipper
Hi all,
How do fighter jets regulate pressurization in the cockpit? With the vertical speeds attainable, what's it like in there? Does it vary? By how much? How does the pressurization system keep your ears from killing you with pain?
How do fighter jets regulate pressurization in the cockpit? With the vertical speeds attainable, what's it like in there? Does it vary? By how much? How does the pressurization system keep your ears from killing you with pain?
This minimizes the chances of the bends during normal flight and reduces the effect of an explosive decompression. Never had a problem with clearing the ears even at 50,000 FPM short term rates of climb or dive.
07-20-2008, 04:53 PM
#3
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Thanks jungle. I suppose you guys have to strap on your face mask before doing any maneuvers then?
Does the system maintain a differential of 4psi once it's activated? If so, how does it do it? Say you're climbing at 15,00 fpm, how does it keep up with the plane?
Does the system maintain a differential of 4psi once it's activated? If so, how does it do it? Say you're climbing at 15,00 fpm, how does it keep up with the plane?
07-20-2008, 05:09 PM
#4
With The Resistance
Joined APC: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by Senior Skipper
Thanks jungle. I suppose you guys have to strap on your face mask before doing any maneuvers then?
Does the system maintain a differential of 4psi once it's activated? If so, how does it do it? Say you're climbing at 15,00 fpm, how does it keep up with the plane?
Does the system maintain a differential of 4psi once it's activated? If so, how does it do it? Say you're climbing at 15,00 fpm, how does it keep up with the plane?
Masks are worn from takeoff to touchdown, the pressurization is completely automatic and pressurizes on climbout, depressurizes on descent. It really just buffers the effect of a rapid climb or descent. Most of the effects most people feel with equalizing their ears are from the deck to 10,000 feet, above that the pressure and it's effects on the ear canal are considerably diminished.
07-22-2008, 01:55 PM
#7
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A-6 Intruder pressurization
The A-6 system was ambient pressure up to 8000 feet, then held the cockpit at 8000 feet until the system reached its max pressure differential (forget what it was), then held that pressure differential on up.
End result was that the cockpit held at 8000 feet to about FL 240, and went above 10000 ft at about FL 290.
End result was that the cockpit held at 8000 feet to about FL 240, and went above 10000 ft at about FL 290.
07-23-2008, 05:18 AM
#8
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F-4 and T-38
The F-4 and T-38 pressuriztion schedule is identical to the A-6. Both those jets tended to have leaky canopy seals. When doing idle descents, the cabin would (and still does) often climb to actual altitude.
Obviously, no mask drops from the ceiling-there is no ceiling, and you have one on your face!
There is no pressurization control panel in the traditional airliner-sense. It's self-contained somewhere in the bowels of the cockpit.
Obviously, no mask drops from the ceiling-there is no ceiling, and you have one on your face!
There is no pressurization control panel in the traditional airliner-sense. It's self-contained somewhere in the bowels of the cockpit.
