Traveling is a luxury we often take for granted. By land, sea, or air, there are many factors at work to make sure we’re safe, secure, and protected when traveling.
If you’re aboard an airplane, cabin pressure is one of, if not the single most important part of the flight. Without airplane pressurization, breathing above the stratosphere would be impossible.
If you’ve ever wondered how cabin pressure works, you’re in luck. We’re going to break down the basics of cabin pressure and how the “magic” works.
How is Air Pressurized?
To ensure a safe cabin at high altitudes, you need to pressurize the air.
Air pressurization happens in the airplane’s engines. Turbofan engines work to compress intake air by way of a series of vaned rotors located behind the fan. Compression starts when the air grows hotter and more pressure develops at higher temperatures.
During this process, some of the hot and high-pressure air is diverted to the cabin, de-icing of wings, and other surfaces necessary for flight. All of these boxes need to be checked before the plane is safe enough to take off.
The process is much more involved than you realize and breaks down exponentially.
Luckily, the process occurs automatically in the 21st century without the pilot’s assistance. Pilots monitor the situation slightly, but pre-check information before take-off is all that’s necessary thanks to technological advancements.
Develop Cabin Pressure
Once the process reaches an ideal level of pressure, temperature, and moisture, the airplane does the rest.
Controlling the maintenance of cabin pressure is done via an outflow valve. This helps regulate the amount of pressure determining if more or less pressure is needed to keep ideal levels. Low pressure means there’s less oxygen in the air; higher pressure means there’s too much pressurization.
This knowledge is vital to avoid medical emergencies as the plane climbs in altitude.
Airplanes depend on other mechanical components like a gast vacuum pump, electric compressors, and more to create a functional environment on the plane.
Importance of Pressurization
When fluctuations of high and low-altitude air density is a problem, passengers experience life-threatening situations.
Insufficient oxygen could result in a medical problem called hypoxia. Without pressurization, staff, passengers, and pilots wouldn’t have the necessary amount of oxygen to stay alive.
Modern-day advancements have led to additional measures to make sure this problem won’t affect individuals if there’s a pressurization failure. If you’ve ever been on an airplane, you’ve likely heard the employees explain the emergency oxygen mask process.
When these maks drop down in front of passengers, it’s important to follow the directions to receive sufficient oxygen levels until the airplane lands.
Air pressurization and oxygen intake are a hand in hand deal.
Understand the Facts
Cabin pressure is vital when it comes to the safety of the individuals on airplanes at high altitudes. Without pressurization advancements, we wouldn’t be able to travel how we do today.
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