Add a Comment
- The F-22 Raptor problem is bureauocratic. The idiots who failed to fix the problem should have been fired long ago and replaced with a fresh set of eyes and ideas. And, if the new guys can't fix it, they need to fire them and keep putting fresh eyes on until they get it fixed. But, there is no reason to kill pilots when the engineers who are responsible for fixing the problem are obviously a bunch of idiots.
I think we should give the CEO of Lockeed Martin and their Board of Directors a little hypoxia and see if that helps get the problem fixed a little faster.
My brother, a former F-4 navigator, was killed flight testing the F-4 in service in 1965. That particular aircraft had a defective hydraulic pump that would fail in flight without warning, rendering the aircraft's control surfaces useless - like right when my brother and his pilot were making a low altitude bombing run with dumb bombs. But, that was wartime, the other guys were flying MIG 21s; and we needed the F-4 badly.
So, let's get some new engineers and administrators involved and get the F-22 fixed before we really need it. - Reply to this comment
- I enjoyed the story. It was educational and interesting. However, 60 Minutes, you spin your story as a "whistleblower" story, which it is not. The information regarding the hazards and the grounding history of the aircraft is not news that you or the pilots broke. You marketed the story like you had some sort of scoop. These pilots have done a brave thing by refusing to accept the Air Forces decision toe continue flying the jet, but what they're doing is STRIKING, not WHISTLEBLOWING.
Good for them for standing up for what's write. For you 60 Minutes, spare us the sensationalistic headlines. You're damaging your own credibility. Be straight with your audience and you'll continue to be respected. Start manipulating them, and you'll lose them. - Reply to this comment
- The story, as presented by 60 Minutes this evening, was shocking beyond belief. Firstly, Lockheed Martin was not even mentioned, yet they are building this aircraft, as have built US Navy ships that sank. The amount of money being invested in our largest Government Contractor is enormous. I care, based on a few factors, primarily in being Director of our organization's ISO 9001 Quality Management System. It must be assumed, there is a major parallel between Lockheed and NASA. Neither is a Learning Organization; both are Non-Learning Organizations. They do not learn from either Correct or Preventive Actions that include Root Cause Analysis. In the event Lockheed chose to take appropriate action, based on Corrective Action needed, they would have immediately grounded the fleet of defective aircraft, while seeking to obtain a Definitive Root Cause Analysis. Confusing to me, is why the USAF continued to keep these airplanes flying with people's lives in jeopardy, not only in the air, but on the ground. Why did the USAF not seek to find a definitive RCA and take Corrective Action; why didn't the Department of Defense, let alone Lockeed, the manufacturer? I also have to wonder why the Pilots-In-Command of these aircraft recognized a serious problem, but failed to use Command Authority as PICs and stop flying unsafe airplanes. Clearly there is a cover-up, and the Root Cause Analysis will address at least two areas: the Technical Problem and the Management Problem. Management hates Root Cause Analysis because it typically reflects their poor decisions. In this case, Management is made of a combinations of the Government, the Manufacturer, and the Pilots-In-Command. This is a scenario that will unfold yet another conspiracy in a Government within the Government of the United States.
- Reply to this comment
- ALL military members are aware of the importance of using the chain of command and then the IG to solve problems at the lowest possible level. When this fails, the only recourse is to go outside the organization for a solution. In this case, Congress was the appropriate level. Congratulations to those two Air National Guard officers for having the courage to protect themselves and more importantly their fellow F-22 pilots. I
Also, having worked in the test arena, it is irresponsible to believe a fighter pilot, untrained as a test pilot, is the proper individual to collect data for analysis to debug a potential "safety of flight" issue. The test pilots should be all experienced contractor pilots. - Reply to this comment
- The High-G, High-Performance flying environment has similarity with NASCAR Racers experiences reported at the Texas Motor Speedway where high performance cars and the fastest track combined to create exactly the same symptoms. Brains not only need blood flow, but sinuses and both ears require the gravity environment to be steady enough to inhibit production of the precursor motion sickness hormones that give salty taste under the tongue when cerebral stability is impaired. The central brain core is hollow and senses neural impairment, which triggers neural redirection and shuts down process often tied to decision making or data input interpretation. Oxygen enrichment and cold air on the forehead will counter the effects for a short time. Eventually the driver or pilot becomes impaired enough to disconnect from task management and endanger their self by losing control of their car or aircraft. Severe vibration, loud sub-sonic noise, rapidly changing air pressure on the ears also are know triggers of this condition.
- Reply to this comment
- I believe they could be suffering from O2 toxicity. The pulse oximeters they were probably only go up to 100%
"What are the symptoms of exposure to elevated levels of oxygen?
The symptoms of excessive oxygen exposure include the following: (some or all of these might occur)
Dizziness can occur on exposure to high oxygen levels
Coughing and irritations of the throat can occur on exposure to high oxygen levels
Difficulties with vision or visual anomalies can occur at very high O2concentrations"
(http://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/O2gashaz.htm) - Reply to this comment
- I find it disheartening that Lockheed Martin was not only not mentioned as the manufactured of the F22 but was not interviewed for this segment. Where were they? What are they doing to correct this? I have always placed a great deal of faith in "60 Minutes" and this smacks of something that smells like fish. It stinks. I expect better from "60 Minutes".
- Reply to this comment
- This is just another case of political and engineering stupidity!!! I do not care how good a filter you use or have it is NOT going to get ALL of the microscopic posions out of an air supply that goes through an engine!!!! It is EASY to diagnosis this problem by simply installing a seperate isolated bottled source of O2 to the pilots and watch the problem go away. Air to the planes oxygen generators need to come from a completely isolated and seperate source from any other mechanic part of the plane. This would eliminate the possiblities of any contaminates. Engineers tend to NOT see the forest for the trees and this is a good example of it!!
- Reply to this comment
- Your show stated an Alaskan pilot clipped a tree with his F 22. Actually, about two years ago a pilot flying an F22 disappeared to be found later crashed into a mountain side. I believe they decided he was deprived of proper oxygen levels.
- Reply to this comment
- Perhaps they should reroute the oygen source line so it doesn't run through the engine. Seems like a relatively easy thing to try.
- Reply to this comment
