0

I always wondered why fighter pilots need to fly with a facemask. Since the cabin in pressurised wouldn't the oxygen level be the same as in any commercial jet so sufficient for the pilot to remain conscious and aware? Thank you

Odyseus_v4
  • 101
  • 1
  • 6
    Does this answer your question? Are fighter jet cabins pressurized? – TooTea Jul 27 '20 at 09:37
  • 3
    In addition to @TooTea's linked answer, fighter pilots are meant to operate in environments where other fighter pilots try to make holes in each other's aircraft. This could result in no pressure in the cockpit, which would be sad. – simon at rcl Jul 27 '20 at 16:04
  • Plus, the oxygen level (percentage based on volume) is just one part of the equation. Oxygen has to be supplied at or above a certain pressure for your lungs and blood cells to absorb it. At sea level pressure, your entire oxygen absorption and transport mechanism would work fine (barring physiological or chemical problems). At 30,000 feet, even 100% oxygen would have a hard time absorbing. It is easier to pressurize a mask versus an entire cockpit in an emergency. – Dean F. Jul 27 '20 at 23:01

1 Answers1

1

the pressurization system in a fighter plane might be able to furnish 10,000 ft cabin altitude at 30,000 feet, but the pilot would need supplemental oxygen when flying higher than that. In addition, if the cabin is breached above 30,000 ft the pilot would have very little time to get his or her mask on before blacking out, so the mask is worn at all times.

niels nielsen
  • 21,023
  • 2
  • 40
  • 74
  • Exactly. To add to that, I believe the quoted time of useful consciousness at 30,000 feet is under 60 seconds. I am going off of memory for that stat. But, I believe it is correct. – Dean F. Jul 27 '20 at 23:03
  • In that case why bothering with a pressurisation system at all and not saving space/weight engineering studies etc and only giving the pilot a facemask? – Odyseus_v4 Jul 28 '20 at 13:47
  • because without pressurization, even breathing 100% oxygen above 20,000 feet is insufficient to keep the pilot awake and alive. – niels nielsen Jul 28 '20 at 15:20