How do we breathe in the airplane?
We feel pressure change at takeoff when we are flying. The air density at the airplane’s altitude, the amount and the pressure; at the altitudes of the places we live is different from the weather values. The oxygen level is not sufficient and there are oxygen systems in the plane. Firstly there are 3 different oxygen systems in the air. Flight team, passenger oxygen system, portable oxygen system, respectively. The oxygen system of the flight team is independent of the others. It is necessary to have them on military and civil aircraft.
How high do planes fly?
The average altitude of the aircraft is between 25,000 and 35,000 feet depending on the distance it is flying. As a brief note, I would like to add, of course, that it may be on flights flying about 15,000 or 42,000 feet depending on much shorter or much longer distances. But not every plane can fly at this height. Engines capable of operating at altitudes above 40000 feet are not available on every aircraft. More private jets or military aircraft can reach this altitude.
Does the Oxygen system work on board?
On passenger planes, we have stated that the oxygen system is the system that provides the oxygen necessary for the passengers to travel in a healthy way. Every time the airplane is running, fresh oxygen is cleaned. Because there are too many passengers, the proportion of carbon dioxide is low and it is necessary to keep the air clean. For our readers who have traveled by plane, you can recall that the air from the small holes on your head is constantly coming in. As the aircraft starts to descend after elevation, the pressure level begins to fall. Therefore, after reaching a certain altitude, cabin pressurization takes place in the airplane. This pressurization creates the necessary pressure in the aircraft cabin so that passengers can breathe properly. It creates an isolated environment independent of its external values. The altitude at which this pressurization is carried out is 8000 feet.
What happens if the system fails?
Oxygen masks fall from overhead covers and respiration is carried out from the oxygen masks until the altitude at which the pressure and oxygen required for human health independent of the aircraft systems can be attained is lowered.
Without pressurization, this altitude (8000feet) starts to appear uncomfortable, called hypoxia. There are statements such as difficulties in perception of senses, desire to sleep, numbness. Pressurization is a system that is complicated with oxygen and applied together. The two systems complement each other. The areas that contain this information in aircraft guides are called oxygen and pressurization systems.
Now let’s come to the point where we focus on the problem we are asking in the title after a partial preliminary knowledge.
Well, where is the air taken into this plane? Do we have oxygen cylinders inside or outside the aircraft?
First of all, the first source is the engines of the aircraft. Some of the air sent from the compressor of the turbo-engine to the combustion chamber is missed for the oxygen system. This air is heated by certain processes. This system, called a heat exchanger, is very cold at the altitude outside. It is heated here and then cleaned by passing through filters, then the pressure is adjusted and sent to the cabinet.
WELCOME ON BOARD 