Rapid decompression

Mark- Did the same thing with long period of lucidity before the instructors got bored, but all mine were a long time ago so done at higher altitude. High blood pressure increases tolerance to thinner air, and g forces.

Actually had a real rapid decompression at FL400 and mach 1.6 during a French DAYTEX exercise when we were playing targets for French Mirage F1s. Indications of a fuselage fire, so air source to off and, just like they tell you, the cabin filled with snow. Since we always flew with masks during large portions of flight, no problem. Landed at Reims-Champagne and flew her home two days later.

 

In addition to chamber stuff, we have had severe issues with centrifuge training. The bazillion dollar centrifuge across the street here at WP has been non functional for years and no one, least of all the contractor who is responsible for it, can say when it will be ready. So, we use another contractor to whom we gave the old centrifuge back at brooks. SMH.

The biggest threat in the chamber hypoxia demonstration in my class was not the length of time at altitude, but the 4 guys that went to the Indian Buffet the night before. See Boyle's Law of pressure and volume.

 

Commercial pilots don't go to the pressure chamber.
In fact I did it once during the screening for German AirForce 25 years ago but as I chose to fly commercial airliners instead I never saw one again afterwards...

 

Russ- Boyle's Law applied to females with falsies, too. Had that happen on one ride and it was quite comical. They had to descend and let her out. Her face was pretty red, and I do not think it had anything to do with cabin pressure.

 

Civilians don't do an altitude chamber. I think that's why they have to put on a mask at 25 when the other guy gets out of the seat while the military guys use 35.

PS, thought you got out of AF?

 

We have to wear the mask above 40 when the other pilot leaves the flightdeck...

 

So it popped? I would think that would be very painful.

 

No, it did not pop, but if we had ascended much more, that was a possibility. That is why they descended and let her out. Removing the bra in the altitude chamber was a little more than anyone was willing to ask her to do. That chamber was at Reese AFB in Lubbock. Not sure what they did with it when the base closed in 1997. We were sent TDY from Cannon AFB to use it back in the 70s.

 

Here in the US it's when one pilot leaves his duty station, which is defined as undoing the lap belt, and above 250 the other pilot must wear the mask.

Taz, I went to Reese, it was a great UPT base. Kind of depressing when you go visit the old closed AFBs.

 

Ha ha, in this case my Copilot wouldn't get anything to drink all day long Really don't want to fool around with that bloody mask...