Anybody/DH work with airplanes?

[JenX]

Hi
I have to fly at the end of the 2ww. I thought we were flying commercial but found out we were flying on a KC-10 instead.

My friend told me her doc said not to fly military air cause they didn't pressurize their planes the same way..and fumes and radiation would be worse.

Anyone know if this is true about the Kc-10...it looks like a commercial airliner. I'm a little freaked...I have that whole blood clotting disorder too...just need to know if I should worry or not...

I might be able to get them to send me commercial if there is evidence of need to worry...

[Neytiri]

I wouldn't worry. If you were flying a C5 then I might worry but KC10's aren't bad. I don't work on planes but I forecast the weather for them and get to see them all the time. I have been on a KC10 and it was like a regular plane.

[bennetsz76]

My DH does but not on the KC-10, but I will ask him tonight when I get home.

[aussiemom]

I know this is going to be long but here's what my hubby says:

Normally yes they are pressurized as they do have a small passenger compartment as well as fuel tanks. However, because it carries fuel and is used primarliy in air to air refuel ops, they can decompress the tank/cargo area to avoid possible fumes from buildingup and exploding.



If there are passengers on board, it is dependent on the situation if they will decompress or not. Usually not as passengers may then need to don oxygen masks if ops are conducted at higher altitudes. It is also extremely uncomfortable and sometimes fatal if done too quickly (extreme rapid pressure changes causes nitrogen to build up in the blood stream, also known as "the

bends") and it is very cold when they decompress (its cold when they are pressurized too cuz the heating sytem sucks royally). Not to mention, all refuelers have been retrofitted with advanced vapor recovery and recirculation systems, thus decreasing the need to get rid of vapors except in the case of emergency.



So the answer is yes they usually are compressed, but they can/do fly while decompressed, though rarely and usually only in training missions anymore.



I have flown in them about 5 times and never had them decompress even when refueling another plane in flight.

[JenX]

So does he think that in a passenger situation that the cabin air pressure would be the same as on a commercial airliner? Apparently, that is not the case on some aircraft like the C-5 but I am hoping that someone really knows how it would be in this situation...

Are all KC-10's designed for fuel refueling or is it only certain ones..

I really appreciate the information. I'm hoping someone knows the definitive answer...that when passengers are flying they jeep the cabin pressurized just like any commercial airline at the exact same levels...I have no idea what I'm talking about

[Neytiri]

Are all KC-10's designed for fuel refueling or is it only certain ones..

Yes they are all designed to refuel. If passengers are abord they will pressurize. You can call the Pax terminal just to make sure. I will ask the pilots when I get to work in an hour and let you know what they say.

[aussiemom]

He said that you are going to be at their mercy. It's all gonna depend on what they are hauling and who the pilot is. I would say just to be on the safe side to fly commercial. Are they flying you for free in a military plane and paying for your flight commercial?

[aussiemom]

Where are you locted? Which base would you be flying out of?

[bel]

my hubby flies in non pressurized cabins (helo) but when asking him about this since he has flown on the several times being transported to/ from overseas. He said that it would be up to the plane captain. And that if there is any ?'s at all about your health, that he would fly commercial. He said that if it were me, that he would have me on a commercial flight.

I am trying to get intouch with my friend, Sarah. Her hubby is a c-10 pilot. I hope that she will return my call. I will let you know asap.

[JenX]

Thanks a lot for the information...I would fly out of Andrews to San antonio...

I wonder why the pilots would choose to change the air pressure??

Thanks for any additional help you can continue to offer...

They would have to pay if we fly commercially...and not if we fly military air.