Keeping Vance flying - one breath at a time

  • Published
  • By Jessica Gibson
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  "OK, breathe in, hold it..." Joe Bartee, a life support technician, directed a pilot as they tested his helmet before an upcoming flight.

Bartee connected a hose from the helmet's mask to a panel of holes, switches, and lights used to check the respiratory and communication functions.

Out of the multitude of gear a pilot uses to fly, the helmet is one of the most important items, Bartee said. "It is how the pilot breathes and talks, and it gives some protection during ejection."

Bartee is one of 15 technicians working at the CSC Applied Technologies Life Support section at Vance.

The helmets are made out of polycarbon fiberglass, a sturdy, light-weight material designed to offer basic protection for the pilot's head. "Mostly it's there to keep the mask in place, and to hold the communication system," said Bartee.

Each helmet is tailor-made for each pilot, Bartee said. "We have three sizes: medium, large, and extra large. We measure how long and wide your head is, then see what size you are."

Some heads are shaped differently than others so pads and straps are added to compensate. "We're looking for the proper fit more than comfort," he said. "It's got to be really snug."

Having that proper fit is crucial for pilots as they fly at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet. The helmets are designed to hold the mask that pilots breathe through. It is necessary to have a good seal on those masks, Bartee said.

"We want to avoid getting too much oxygen in blood, and make sure they're breathing comfortably." Bartee demonstrated the tests conducted on a pilot's helmet before every flight by attaching the mask's hose to a machine that simulates the air pressure experienced at high altitude.

"This switch shows what it's like at 41,000 feet; this one at 43,000; this one at 45,000," Bartee explained. "Every time, the air blows harder and harder, simulating what it's like at each altitude. We want to make sure there are no leaks and that the pilot can breathe OK." The machine also tests the helmet's communication system.

If everything is cleared, the pilot's helmet is ready for use in the air. If not, Bartee and other life support technicians are standing by to fix any problems.

John McFadden is one of the technicians who perform maintenance inspections every 30 days for all the pilots' helmets.

"We clean, wash, and inspect the masks and shells and do basic repair. We're checking the basic overall condition [of the helmets]," McFadden said. "If we come across anything that wasn't reported, we'll find it in the inspection, and replace whatever needs to be replaced."

"Helmets and parachutes are our bread and butter," McFadden said.

Repairing helmets is just one part of McFadden's job at Life Support. He is also a life support continuation instructor for Vance's instructor pilots. Annually, instructors receive training to familiarize themselves with the technology Life Support provides in their aircraft, McFadden said.

"I teach them the fundamentals of the equipment in their aircraft, how to use it in an emergency, where it is located, things like that," he explained.

"Our mission," said Wildo Rosario, production supervisor at Life Support, "is to provide the aircrews of the 71st Flying Training Wing with safe and effective aircrew flight equipment and programs to increase aircrew performance and protect and sustain human life during flight training operations.

"Our main tasks here at Vance are the issue, inspection, maintenance and issue of all personal flight equipment assigned to approximately 600 aircrews," said Rosario.

Rosario described Life Support's 15 technicians as an "extremely conscientious group of dedicated professionals." He added that the lifesaving nature of Life Support's operations required a goal of perfection in all aspects of their mission.

"It's customer service every day!" McFadden said.

In 2008, the life support and survival equipment career fields were combined to form aircrew flight equipment. At Vance, the two branches are organized separately, but work very closely together to keep pilots safe.

Their merged mottos sum up their mission: "Your life is our business; we are the last to let you down."