Grey insulation in military aircraft
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Cambridge
Age: 57
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If I remember correctly one of the factors contributing the Swissair crash off the Canadian coast in the late 1990s was that the cabin insulation in the aircraft was flammable and helped spread the fire above and behind the cockpit area. Not the actual cause of it but it helped spread the fire.
The material on the Swissair MD11 was a contributor - AN26? Together with polyimide (kapton) wiring as the likely ignition source. Subsequently replaced by better materials. It cost the airlines a lot to replace - it is not an easy job.
And, during the time when smoking was permitted on Hercs, the icy water had a lovely brown nicotine tint to it.
Thread Starter
As a keen as mustard young PPL with a newly minted 152 rating, was fortunate to find myself on RNZAF 03, down to the ice and back in 95.
On approach into ChCh, I asks if I can watch from the flight deck.
"Sure," says the driver, "...just stand behind my seat and hold onto the frame, you'll see exactly what I am seeing."
Crikey - standing up behind the pilot - these military guys sure do get to do things differently than civvy street...
As we broke through the cloud layer on finals - the damn plane started dripping on everyone - various sighs around the flight deck as people mopped up...
The other 'trick of the C130 was to collect rain water in the insulation blanket underneath the escape hatches This too would eventually add to the cascade of freezing condesation water .
I was privy to a condensation investigation for a v large charter airline where the subject 757 was producing an average of 8 gallons of water per holiday flight...from the cockpit.
In my humble opinion, the grey insulation used by in military helicopters is to absorb as much hydraulic and gearbox oils as possible in order to hide the evidence in case of fire.
In my humble opinion, the grey insulation used by in military helicopters is to absorb as much hydraulic and gearbox oils as possible in order to hide the evidence in case of fire.
Thread Starter
Condensation tricks.
Had a work colleague cameraman who was sent up for a ride in an RNZAF T-A4K.
Sat in the back seat as he was strapped in and told "we'll just test the air ventilation to ensure it's working..."
Got a face-full of fine condensation mist - oh how they all smirked.
He was a rather obnoxious chap...
Had a work colleague cameraman who was sent up for a ride in an RNZAF T-A4K.
Sat in the back seat as he was strapped in and told "we'll just test the air ventilation to ensure it's working..."
Got a face-full of fine condensation mist - oh how they all smirked.
He was a rather obnoxious chap...
Noise you say! Try 8+ hours in the C-130A [RAAF] with the big three bladed props beating the air into submission and sharing the vibrations and noise with the inhabitants...