03/30/08

Israeli F16 Pilots Sniff Formaldehyde

F-16 Fighting Falcons, designed by Lockheed Martin, are among the world's most advanced warplanes

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) announced March 21 that unnecessary flights, mostly devoted to training of the two-man crews, are suspended. It seems some of the IAF's US$70 million F-16I fighter jets have formaldehyde in the cockpit.

Israeli F-16I pilots have complained of sore throats, burning sensations in their sinuses, and noxious odors under the high-tech bubble canopy.

F-16I, that's an "I" as in Ivan, is the latest model of America’s multi-role "fighter."

This version has larger fuel tanks for the extra range required to reach distant targets.

If there were a strike against Iran, IAF F-16I's would be among the first assets deployed.

Preliminary investigations suggest that formaldehyde is getting in the jets' air conditioning systems.

Formaldehyde is a by-product of jet engine exhaust.

This aircraft is designed to be always ready to fly combat, fastidiously maintained by one of the world's most proficient air forces.

The point here is that formaldehyde is so widespread, even $70 million warbirds cannot escape it.

This has serious implications for pilot health and combat performance in the 4000 F-16's in service in 24 nations worldwide.

I wonder if these flyboys need a cabin air purifier.