Concorde depressurisation
Rainbow Chaser

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 608
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From: At home, mostly!
::donning cloak of paranoia:: with so few days left until Concorde ceases scheduled operations, doesn't it seem a little curious to have such a thread? unless, of course, someone is planning the ultimate spectacular GB aviation/terrorism incident ??
::removing cloak of paranoia::
sorry to those who have seriously discussed this issue but ... in times of heightened alerts in GB surely we need to be a little cautious in how we offer information on these freely available public forums?
::removing cloak of paranoia::
sorry to those who have seriously discussed this issue but ... in times of heightened alerts in GB surely we need to be a little cautious in how we offer information on these freely available public forums?

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: The Roman Empire
NW1, thank you now I see the small label FT/MINx1ooo.
Breathing apparatus: I wonder why such a high pressure is needed
brockenspectre, do you think terrorists need our help to do it again?
I'm surprised they didn't so far.
Easy to do that anytime.
All the security measures in place are bulls**t!
An airliner today is perhaps the last small village with no law enforcement. That's pathetic.
Only ELAL is really safe. Real police on board.
Breathing apparatus: I wonder why such a high pressure is needed
brockenspectre, do you think terrorists need our help to do it again?
I'm surprised they didn't so far.
Easy to do that anytime.
All the security measures in place are bulls**t!
An airliner today is perhaps the last small village with no law enforcement. That's pathetic.
Only ELAL is really safe. Real police on board.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Grobelling through the murk to the sunshine above.
LEM
As I recall from training, the pressure is required to ensure absorbtion of oxygen within the lungs. This process (at molecular level) requires a certain pressure differential, which is not present when decompressed beyond something like FL450.
Perhaps someone who has been through AvMed training more recently than 1986 can expand a bit?
As I recall from training, the pressure is required to ensure absorbtion of oxygen within the lungs. This process (at molecular level) requires a certain pressure differential, which is not present when decompressed beyond something like FL450.
Perhaps someone who has been through AvMed training more recently than 1986 can expand a bit?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Earth (unfortunately)
We talked about the crew, but what about the pax?
I don't think they have pressure breathing equipment... so whether its an oxygen candle or stored gasseous oxygen I don't understand how, in the even of a rapid decompression, the pax are supposed to be able to put on the mask and be able to absorb enough oxygen using that cheap plastic mask before losing conciousness.
Can anyone enlighten me on this?
Also consider that while the crew is regularly trained on rapid decompression procedure, many passengers never put on an oxygen mask. I have never flown on the concorde but I wonder if the pax briefing is any different that regular airlines, or if the cabin crew stresses the importance of putting the mask immediately (within 2 sec).
I don't think they have pressure breathing equipment... so whether its an oxygen candle or stored gasseous oxygen I don't understand how, in the even of a rapid decompression, the pax are supposed to be able to put on the mask and be able to absorb enough oxygen using that cheap plastic mask before losing conciousness.
Can anyone enlighten me on this?
Also consider that while the crew is regularly trained on rapid decompression procedure, many passengers never put on an oxygen mask. I have never flown on the concorde but I wonder if the pax briefing is any different that regular airlines, or if the cabin crew stresses the importance of putting the mask immediately (within 2 sec).

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: The Roman Empire
I wonder what is the exact scenario the certification people take into consideration: the loss of bleed air, the rupture of the outflow valve, or the loss of a cabin window?
If it is the latter, maybe they assume that the hole is small enough to allow engine bleed air to compensate in part for the air which escapes from the window (assuming the outflow valve will immediately close as well). Maybe the decompression under these conditions is gradual and not as violent as we might think: if it were the case, most passengers would pass over...
Also I wonder if thew crew is allowed to go to the toilet during cruise...
ps: to answer Hot Rod's question, anybody can tell what is the highest altitude ever reached by Concorde?
If it is the latter, maybe they assume that the hole is small enough to allow engine bleed air to compensate in part for the air which escapes from the window (assuming the outflow valve will immediately close as well). Maybe the decompression under these conditions is gradual and not as violent as we might think: if it were the case, most passengers would pass over...
Also I wonder if thew crew is allowed to go to the toilet during cruise...
ps: to answer Hot Rod's question, anybody can tell what is the highest altitude ever reached by Concorde?




