This is an issue that should concern everyone, regardless of the political view they have of Navy jet flights. We don’t want pilots to die, and we don’t want pilots to fuzz out or black out while flying over residential areas.
The article was written by CNN and the entire thing can be read there. Here is an excerpt:
Washington (CNN) – The US Navy has linked the deaths of four F/A-18 Hornet pilots to “physiological episodes” that occurred while the aircraft was airborne, according to an in-depth review of oxygen system failures that are plaguing the service’s primary fighter jet and T-45 training aircraft.
Released on Thursday, the Navy report details findings of an investigation that was launched in March after more than 100 T-45 instructional pilots refused to fly in protest at continuing issues with the aircraft’s oxygen system.
That protest occurred just days after Navy officials described a rising rate of “physiological episodes” (PEs) affecting pilots who fly all models of F-18 aircraft, especially the Boeing-built Super Hornet, during testimony on Capitol Hill.
Pilots reported that physiological episodes resulting in dizzyness or even blackouts have been caused by oxygen contamination, human factors — including air sickness and vertigo, failure of the on-board oxygen generation system and the failure of other key systems — according to March testimony from Rear Adm. Michael Moran.
According to the Navy, the four F-18 pilot deaths, which occurred over a span of 10 years, are not all the direct result an oxygen system failure but are linked by the fact that pilots experienced various symptoms that fall within the scope of what is described as a physiological episode.
Although FA-18 aircrews have experienced PEs attributed to breathing air problems, the majority of recent serious incidents have been attributed to issues related to the aircraft’s environmental control system, which supports air quality in the cockpit and cabin pressurization malfunctions, according to the report.
Physiological episodes in T-45 pilots have not led to a fatality, according to the report but a recent spike in symptoms reported by training pilots mirrors the troubling trend observed among F/A-18 Hornet pilots.
Investigators have documented a steady rise reports of physiological episodes among T-45 and F/A-18 pilots since 2012. T-45 incidents rose from 13 in 2012 to 38 in 2016 while reports among F-18 pilots increased from 57 in 2012 to 114 in 2016.
F-18 pilots have already reported 52 incidents to date in 2017.
While investigators were able to offer several steps to mitigate the risk of physiological episodes, they were not able to identify the root cause of a problem that has also been observed in Navy pilots who fly EA-18G Growlers and at least five members of an Air Force F-35 fighter airwing.
“To date, finding a solution … has proved elusive,” the report said. “The complexity of aircraft human-machine interfaces and the unforgiving environment in which aircrew operate will continue to generate PEs whenever systems do not operate as intended or human physiology is a factor.”
As a pilot, I would appreciate it if you would not use your clearly fake concern for my safety as a tool to further your political cause. I’m sure you’ll continue to exploit articles like this one to add to the list of reasons your property value is depreciating. I would further hope that at some point you will take some responsibility for purchasing a home within a couple miles of an active Navy OLF upon yourself. This consistent blame that is put on the US Navy for your situation is a tired excuse. If I were you, I would be taking my real estate agent to court vice a federal institution such as the Navy. Just food for thought…
Couldn’t agree more with Matt. You don’t speak for the pilots. The pilots are just fine, thank you, and we’ll take care of our own. You know nothing about the oxygen issues. Pilots are well trained, and the issue is being addressed. How many emergencies do you think have occurred on airliners you fly on? A lot. You simply don’t know it because the aircrew handled the situation, which is what pilots do. Again, the pilots are not part of your political cause, and every time you reference us, we contact Congressman Larsen to remind him that you don’t speak for Navy pilots. No help required from lay people like you. Do what you do best and take care of yourselves. Enjoy the coming airshow.
Why not just go back to LOX until the oxygen concentrators are proven? There has to be somewhere in the airframe they could squeeze in a couple of gallons tank?
If COER truly cared about the aircrew, they’d support Field Carrier Landing Practice.
If this was about public health, methinks asking for some eminent domain action **as a last resort to resolve your public health concerns** would make sense.