Author : House of Representatives of the United States Staff
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781482069785
Total Pages : 122 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (697 download)
Book Synopsis F-22 Pilot Physiological Issues by : House of Representatives of the United States Staff
Download or read book F-22 Pilot Physiological Issues written by House of Representatives of the United States Staff and published by . This book was released on 2013-01-24 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mr. BARTLETT. The hearing will come to order. The subcommittee meets today to receive testimony on F-22 pilot physiological issues which have resulted in reported hypoxia-like events by F-22 pilots over a period of several years. The committee's concerns include the impacts of these physiological issues to the pilots and operational capability of these valuable aircraft, as well as the ultimate cost and time required to implement the recommendations that have been made to modify the F-22 life support system. The committee also remains concerned that after all of the study of the issue, we need to understand what the level of confidence is that the cause or causes of the F-22 physiological issues are fully known. From 2003 to April 2008, there were 6 F-22 physiological issues, but between April 2008 and January 2011, that number had doubled to 12. As a result of this, the Air Force Commander of Air Combat Command restricted the F-22's maximum flight attitude to 25,000 feet and directed a safety investigation board to review the F-22's oxygen system. In May of 2011, the Secretary of the Air Force directed the Scientific Advisory Board to gather information and make recommendations to address concerns relative to the F-22 life support system. From May to September of last year, the F-22 fleet stood down as a result of an upward trend in reports of physiological incidents. The Scientific Advisory Board [SAB] completed its work in January of this year but did not determine a cause for the F-22 pilot physiological problems. However, the board did make findings and recommendations and concluded that either the supply or the quality of the oxygen is contributing to the F-22 pilots' hypoxia-like symptoms.