Originally published at: Rafale Pilot Spots Global 6000 Fuel Leak
French fighter was conducting an air-defense training mission when the problem was discovered.
“After moving closer to investigate, the pilot detected the smell of jet fuel. . .”
Wow! How close did the fighter pilot have to get to smell fuel – through his canopy, his helmet, etc.?
Don’t you ever smell partially burned kerosene while in an airliner on the ground. Outside air is used in cabin pressurization, generally taking bleed air from the compressor. It would still have kerosene vapors entering the pressurized cabin environmental control system.
Hey Mars, Google sense of smell at 40,000 feet, through a canopy, wearing an O2 mask…
Granted, if you have on an oxygen mask you won’t smell it. The dispersion/vaporization arguments put forth by google don’t hold up to high concentration of hydrocarbon vapors. If they come through the system you would smell them but not if you have on a mask. The canopy and helmet don’t block air running through the pressurization and environmental control but an oxygen mask would if fully sealed on the pilot’s face.
Honest question, was the pilot on 100% O2 at the time? If not even a small amount of vapor could enter his mask and he would smell it.
Our Airline crew system will operate with some % of cabin air into the system to extend the O2 supply. The higher you go the closer to 100% and you can immediately switch to 100% O2 in the case of smoke or fumes in the cabin. I realize fighters are very different that’s why it’s an honest question.
It’s a reminder to monitor fuel consumption during the flight.
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