Military · Monday, 24 August 2026
Why U-2 Pilots Breathe Pure Oxygen For An Hour Before Flying To 70,000 Feet
U-2 pilots undergo a mandatory one-hour pre-flight oxygen breathing protocol to mitigate physiological risks at extreme altitudes.
TL;DR
The procedure is required to prevent decompression sickness before the aircraft reaches its operational ceiling of 70,000 feet. This highlights the specialized physiological safety measures required for high-altitude reconnaissance operations.
Simple Flying24 Aug, 05:00 BST
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