Comments on: F-22’s Grounded For Oxygen Malfunctions

By: Ed Rush

Ed Rush — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:51:58 +0000

Good to hear from you Stambo!!!

Semper Fi, Marine.

By: Ed Rush

Ed Rush — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:51:33 +0000

My history

T-2 = LOX (Liquid Oxygen)
A-4 = LOX
F-18D = LOX, then OBOGS (On Board Oxygen Generating System)
F-5 = Back to LOX

LOX also works well after a long night…but you did not hear that from me.

By: Robert Stambovsky

Robert Stambovsky — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:12:13 +0000

We used LOX in the old A-4 Skyhawk. The O2 service cart was covered in frost due to low temp of LOX,and loading it was dangerous.Couldn’t allow any contaminents near the aircraft during servicing, or POOOF! Navy used constant flow O2 system, as apposed to USAF diluter-demand, due to over-water Ops. Breathing O2 would dry you out; first urge after shutdown was drink of water. When turn-around “Hot ” refueling in the pit, a good crew chief would bring a hose to the cockpit so’s the aviator could open the canopy, and get a drink!
Stambo
Line Division Officer
VMA-322

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:12:09 +0000

LOX is not commonly used now due to extensive use of refueling. Carrying enough LOX on board was not viable.

By: Robert Stambovsky

Robert Stambovsky — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:36:19 +0000

The super Hornet has OBOGs, Too. The F-22 has alot of magic,but verrrry expensive. The F-35 is a slightly watered down version, but verrrry expensive. And when you lose one, the majority of your force capability is gone. For the same money, 100 F-20B/C Tigersharks, anyone???!!! You’re going to see more UAVs, anyway.

I fly L-29 Czech trainers and MIG-15 with less-than-sterling pressurization systems.Most guys that own L-29s don’t have functioning O2 systems, rather depending on the pressurization systems (mainly flying below FL 180).

I bought a Casio pathfinder watch with altimeter mode to check cabin pressure. My personal ex-RAF Jet Provost T5 ( google:N4XW)has a good air pac and O2 system, as well as cabin altimeter.

I light aircraft, I use a portable O2 system above 10,000′, and at night. Hypoxia can sneak up on ya.

Wanna fly? Don’t smoke, stay in shape-gives you a slight edge, but no one is immune. At FL 180, O2 volume and pressure is one half that of sea level.Alittle lower at night.

In the altitude chamber, I lasted on the average of 3-4 minutes at FL 250.My personal warning symptoms: slight headache, loss of color vision.
Semper Fi

Robert Stambovsky, ATP
Adjunct professor, ERAU
USMC (ret)

By: Dave Eberhardt

Dave Eberhardt — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:06:15 +0000

read an article – “The Air Force is looking at all the systems on this new-generation fighter jet, but one area of focus is the On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), according to Ferrau.”

Don’t know the system but it is not the traditional (reliable)liquid oxygen system …
(not your father’s Oldsmobile)

By: Dave Eberhardt

Dave Eberhardt — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:03:16 +0000

wow – pretty shocking if you ask me. I’d have to have more info to make better inputs here … but I’d have to guess that a LOX system could be trouble-shooted fairly easily. Leaking hoses or lines? Tubing used maybe corroding and and contaminating the flow?

Info: pilots must also monitor cabin pressurization at higher altitudes – physiologically speaking – it has something to do with Oxygen partial pressure as far as lungs absorbing the oxygen.