OT: T-45fixer
- Thread starter EngDawg
- Start date
Didn't know there was a protest, but yeah we are leading the world right now with Hypoxia problems. A lot deals with our recent engine mods to the on board O2 system and maybe a faulty manufacturer of a new part. Some kinda valve. The egress guys take care of all that. I'm a Avionics/ airframes/ power plant mechanic. BMT works with quality he may have more to add.
It's not good. One of the top theories is the new(ish) fuel the navy is using now. The fumes from this new fuel could possibly be contaminating the system. Its just a theory and pure speculation. That being said, some of these hypoxia are literally happening on the ground as the pilots are preparing to taxi to the runway. How in the hell do you suffer from lack of oxygen on the effing ground?? As 45fixer stated... We've had several mods to the O2 system, so who knows. The article implies that there is this major cover up. All I have to say to that is, we report every incident of hypoxia up the chain of command via the system provided to us. If there is a cover up (and there may be) its way up the chain. The problem is, this directly affects 240 direct support personnel and more indirect support personnel on NAS Meridian, along with like numbers in NAS Kingsville and NAS Pensacola. Someone needs to get to the bottom of this issue QUICK LIKE!
Last edited:
If it's hypoxia then it is related to elevated CO2 levels in the system. the system is not removing it. I'm assuming these are not pure O2 systems, rather ones that blend to a to 28% O2 which is the same level as medical air used in a hospital.
Every event is called a "hypoxia event", but not every event is preceded by an o2 light or low blood o2 levels post event. This is more of a contaminant event. And no... Our bird doesn't use a LOX system. We have a concentrator that is suppose to scrub the air before they breath it.
They never figured out what was happening on the F22. They just decided to assume the risk. What scares the hell out of me is they grounded the f22 program for something like 8 months and never came up with any answers. We use the exact same system as the f18s and they are having the same issues.
Actually, it was determined the F-22 issue was caused by a faulty valve in the pilot's upper pressure garment. A ton of engineering expertise and budget was expended focused on the On Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) and grounding of the fleet as BMT mentioned.
Pentagon spokesperson George Little said the modifications will be made in the aircraft cockpit’s life support system.
"First, the Air Force will replace a valve in the upper pressure garment vest worn by pilots during high-altitude missions. The valve was causing the vest to inflate and remain inflated under conditions where it was not designed to do so, thereby causing breathing problems for some pilots,” said Little.
The second modification entails the removal of an air filter that was installed to test for contaminants in the oxygen supply, increasing the volume of air delivered to the pilot.
Got you. I remember during Super Hornet trials a test pilot who had to put in on the ground quickly because of lack of oxygen in his system. Sounds like this has been a recurring issue for some time now.
Saw this: apparently the Navy is grounding the fleet for a few days.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...-jet-fleet-following-fox-news-report.amp.html
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...-jet-fleet-following-fox-news-report.amp.html
I just read that. Hopefully it'll only be for a few days. That being said... This issue is years old. They won't be finding a solution I'm the next three days.