{"id":41127,"date":"2017-12-29T20:14:54","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T20:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/12\/29\/new-in-2018-aviators-need-better-air\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:33:01","slug":"new-in-2018-aviators-need-better-air","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2017\/12\/29\/new-in-2018-aviators-need-better-air\/","title":{"rendered":"New in 2018: Aviators need better air"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was a rough 2017 for aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilots across multiple aircraft platforms reported feeling dizziness or a loss of consciousness in flight due to oxygen problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy has tried to confront the problem head on, but progress has been minimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A problematic valve in the F\/A-18 Super Hornets and E\/A-18G Growlers that might be causing dangerous pressure changes during flight has been identified, however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2018, the service will add a heater blanket to the valve so it won\u2019t freeze, and will also test other aircraft components to eliminate any other potential problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Navy officials did not say whether the valve fix would alleviate similar problems experienced in the T-45 trainer aircraft, which led to a grounding last spring after flight instructors refused to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not declaring victory, but we are declaring that we found something to fix and we\u2019re fixing it,\u201d said Capt. Sara Joyner, leader of the Navy\u2019s problem-solving effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The physiological episodes are just one component of the readiness problems cited by aviators. Recently, the head of Naval Air Forces told Congress that only a third of the service\u2019s 542 F\/A-18 Super Hornets were ready to \u201cfight tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navy leaders say readiness problems are largely attributed to budget restrictions and an intense operational tempo.<\/p>\n\n\n\t