How do Jet Fighter Pilot go to the toilet when they are flying for long hours?

Question

I have always wondered what it would be like to fly a Fighter Jet, however being on side of a small bladder, I have to make calls every now and then. How would I be able to do it up in the sky?

Answer 1

Up until recently when Fighter pilots had to go to the toilet the answer was a heavy-duty bag. But it's not a great solution. "Piddle packs" -- heavy-duty bags containing absorbent sponges.

Answer 2

A Fighter Aircraft is by it nature a short endurance Airframe and can only carry a small quantity a fuel.  The endurance of these Airframes can be extented by either fitting external fuel tanks or by in-air refueling or a combination of the two.  A pilot will normally not fell the need to answer the call of nature.  However when the need arises for the transit of these Airframes to move theatre of operations, lets say UK to Middle East then the Pilot when take a small Bottle with a s***w lid to answer nature.  Their is no built in facilities on small single crew Aircraft.  

Answer 3

just fly upside down with the cockpit open, drop your trousers and then drop your @rse.

Answer 4

Usually one loses fluids due to perspiration, especially in the F4 in hot weather; so personally for most hops it wasn't an issue.  However for those interminable trips across the pond-one uses a "piddle pack".  It's basically a necked bag with a highly absorbent sponge.

One avoids defecation by eating a couple high protein meals before one's planned departure.

EDIT:  Thanks for the vector on the video-hadn't seen that in years.  I have to say from personal experience that's EXACTLY the pain in the a&* to use a piddle-pack in the backseat.  Poopy suit or no...

Answer 5

They have a funnel connected to a tube which they go into. It vents into a holding tank which is drained between flights.

It is traditional for the pilot to buy the mechanic a drink if this is used, it is a grim job draining it.

Answer 6

they pee into a bladder bag (or container) through a tube attached to their G suit

the bag or container is either just a movable bag secured to the inside of the cabin or it is actually built into the plane.

if you need to p**p, you're screwed. maybe wearing diapers and lots of baby powder might help.

Answer 7

Bladder bag, but the F4 used to have a pee tube. We told the new guys it was an interphone to the Comm/Nav bay in the nose wheel well.

Answer 8

Jim's right about the piddle pack, although today they used a dry powder that's in baby's diapers.  When it gets wet it turns into a gel.  You can get a "Texas Hooter Extender" to hook to the piddle pack and then pee at will in the Viper you could hang the piddle pack on the HSI set k**b and shove it down in front of the seat).  They don't use tubes in any pressurized airplane, think about it.

Generally the other side is not as pleasant and I know guys that have crapped in a helmet bag.  Obviously you'll need a new one after that.

Jim, go to YouTube and search for "Phantom II Crew Member" for something you've probably seen.  You can also see a guy trying to get a poopy suit (has nothing to do with p**p) open with a piddle pack in his hand the third verse.

EDIT:  First time I used a piddle pack was in a poopy suit over the Sea of Japan, my back teeth were floating.  I finally got through the "jaws of death" and went like Tom Hanks in League of Their Own.  When done I lifted the bag to see about a 1/4 inch in the bottom, took off my glove and stuck down between my legs and went "Oh S*&t!, the chief's gonna kill me."  I'd just peed on his seat.  So, I spent the rest of the sortie with the vents wide open, blowing on the cushion trying to get it dry before RTB.