Standby for three posts in a row on birds, this time with the Air Force. The F-22 has a much publicized oxygen problem. Now it is having charcoal issues after the installed charcoal filters caused its pilots to cough up black dust:
The Air Force grounded the Raptor for four months last year after pilots reported blackouts, and a 2010 crash of an F-22 in Alaska killed its pilot. An investigation by manufacturers Boeing and Lockheed Martin was inconclusive. And then the problems got worse. The Air Force attached charcoal filters to On-Board Oxygen Generating System, OBOGS. But then pilots began choking up black phlegm, as the charcoal filters were causing black dust to enter the pilots’ lungs.
An F-22 prepares to refuel during a training flight.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered to the F-22s to restrict travel outside of nearby landing locations where a hypoxia-stricken pilot could make a quick landing. Panetta also ordered the Air Force to begin installing an oxygen backup system. This is while two F-22 pilots, Capt. Josh Wilson and Maj. Jeremy Gordon, blew the whistle on 60 Minutes.
Install a temporary oxygen system and rip the current system out. It is not hard.
Sorry all you engineers that want to show just how smart you are, but the KISS principal is till the best one out there.
We’ve been using LOX forever and never had any trouble with it.
(and it’ fun to play with)
Kurt: Yes, without a doubt. This is utterly ridiculous.
MSgt B: Lox? That makes me hungry thinking about it. Imagining chive cream cheese right now. . .
The Navy FA-18 has OBOGS. Wonder what it did to fix? it’s problem. I’m sure they ( USN/USAF) talk to each other.
This is a great LOX training film from the way back. ” I’m going to have your ass”. A bit gorey at the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9sIT6P_05I&fmt=18
Wow, that was a hell of a video. An interesting mix of funny and deadly serious. . .