B-52

[Lynxman]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Boeing-B-52H-Stratofortress/1595312/L/

Isn't the B-52 pressurized? If so why do they have oxygen masks on?

 

[SIG600]

Someone farted.

Not a B-52 guy, but I would guess it's a required preventative measure in case that refueling boom gets away and breaks something.

 

[CFI2766]

The cockpit is smaller than I thought it would be

 

[Entropy]

I flew KC-135's, so that makes me an expert on B-52's.

Sig is correct in that they are wearing O2 masks in case of a possible depressurization. Also, they are sitting in an ejection seat. A high altitude ejection may involve a long free fall in thin air. There is a bail out bottle inside the parachute pack which provides O2 on the way down. If I recall corrctly the chute will open at approximately 14,000 ft. Hope this helps...

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I think ALL mil pilots have O2 masks (except helo guys). Even the KC-135 guys brought masks on each flight, and sometimes they have to use them. They also get parachutes, and they were used on at least one flight.

cliff
NBO

 

[AvroGuy]

E-3 has airline style quick don masks...well 1970's quick don masks

 

[Lynxman]

That's awesome I didn't know they had ejection seats in the B-52. Thanks guys

 

[bagasticks]

E-3 has airline style quick don masks...well 1970's quick don masks

we have those on the gas-wagon too although we have to bring our helmets just incase we have to bail out (without parachutes mind you, they ditched those in the name of fuel savings, i am told)

 

[AvroGuy]

we have those on the gas-wagon too although we have to bring our helmets just incase we have to bail out (without parachutes mind you, they ditched those in the name of fuel savings, i am told)

When I was in the E-3 we still had check the bail out chute to see if it was serviced. No chutes or helmets though. Like you said, in the intrest of fuel savings

 

[T-1GUY]

Sometimes the bad guys try and punch holes in your airplane as well...