Is a fighter jet's cabin pressurized?

Question

For example, the F-15, and other jets. When you fly the plane, does it seem calm or is it like a roller coaster in there. I mean if it's not, how do you withstand supersonic speeds.

Yeah. I meant so say cockpit.

Answer 1

I left the service before the F-15 came on line, but have flown most of the century series fighters, and yes, the cockpits are pressurized. That, however, has nothing to do with calm or roller coaster effects or going supersonic. I have flown supersonic many times, and without instrumentation, at least in the later century series planes, you couldn't tell you had achieved mach 1 and better. Even in the early century series birds, there was a slight shudder in the transonic regime and then smooth again. The roller coaster you mention is purely a function of control input by the pilot. Any maneuver away from straight and level creates g forces. The harder the maneuver, the greater the g force exerted on you and the plane. I flew the F-111 at about 1,000 mph some 100 feet above the ground. The autopilot and computers did the work, while I relaxed and smoked a cigarette. At altitude this aircraft was capable of mach 2.5 plus, and was smooth as glass in the doing. My greatest speed occurred one day in an F-104 when, in a dive with afterburner, I managed 2,000 mph. That was a little squirrely.

Late note: The g-suit has been around for a long time and is not new, by any means. When you pull positive g, the suit pumps up over your legs and lower abdomen, forcing blood to remain in your brain instead of rushing to your feet. The suit does not help when pulling negative g, which is why fighter pilots roll the aircraft on its back then pull the nose down, thereby creating positive g rather than negative.

Answer 2

The inside of a fighter aircraft is referred to as a cockpit, rather than a cabin. It is indeed pressurized, which prevents the pilot from getting decompression sickness at high altitudes.

However, the protection from supersonic speeds is provided by keeping the pilot fully enclosed -- the canopy (glass cover) of the cockpit is made from very thick, heat resistant polycarbonate material.

Finally, the ride can be calm or like a roller-coaster, depending on what the aircraft is doing. If the pilot is rapidly climbing and descending, the sensation inside is just like that of a roller-coaster, but a 4 or 5 place harness (seat belt) keeps the pilot firmly in place.

Incidentally, this link graphically depicts the pressurization schedule inside the cockpit, or how high it "feels" in the cockpit: http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1773&page=107

Answer 3

um...yes they are pressurized, and to be correct, it wouldnt be a cabin in this case. it would be a cockpit. a cabin would be where passengers are. it is like a roller coaster in there. just alot faster and at times, alot more g's. to withstand supersonic speeds and high g's, the pilot wears and flight suit that inflates and deflates with the actions of the aircraft, to keep all his blood from going to his head.

Answer 4

JoelKatz and Barry together have the correct answer. Fighter cockpits are pressurized and they might be able to choose between a "normal" pressure differential and a "combat" differential such as we used to have in the B-52 bombers, which is lower in case the pressure bulkhead is punctured from combat damage. But the answer isn't complete without saying the part about the mask protecting the pilot during ejection and also any foreign object damage such as bird strike or combat damage. There have even been cases of the canopy accidentally separating from the aircraft and the pilot having to land without it. But my question is, how do they pressurize fighter cockpits? I don't know. Anyone?

Answer 5

yes they are pressurized, but this has nothing to do with its motion or speed. The pressurization merely maintains enough oxygen in the cabin so the pilot doesnt need his oxygen mask all the time, however upon entering combat, they do strap the mask into place in case they take a hit and the cabin suddenly depressurizes. In such a situation, depending on the altitude, the pilot could quickly go unconscious.

Answer 6

All jet planes cabins are pressurized. Then the new fighter suits even are like ballons too. When the jet dives, the suit blows up in the lower extremities putting pressure on the legs to slow down the flow of blood. New technique to prevent the pilot passing out for lack of blood in the brain during a dive.

Answer 7

Fighters have a cockpit, not a cabin.

Answer 8

rayk496 is absolutely correct. The mayo clinic started work on the G-suit and centrifuges in the early 50's.

Answer 9

Yes the cabin is pressurized.

Answer 10

They have to wear G-suits to stop them blacking out and wear oxygen