Safe High-Altitude Flights
ATS’s clients rely on the results of a rapid decompression test to assess the impact of pressure changes on essential equipment and materials during high-altitude flights. When a plane reaches high altitudes, the barometric pressure on the outside of the aircraft drops. Rapid decompression occurs when cabin pressure changes within seconds, such as during a climb to high altitudes, which may lead to injured personnel and equipment damage.
Mitigating Decompression Sickness
Rapid decompression can cause hypoxia and decompression sickness in humans. Decompression sickness occurs when gaseous bubbles get trapped in bodily fluids and tissues as the body encounters low barometric pressure. Major symptoms of decompression sickness include joint pain, confusion, and even unconsciousness.
These symptoms may occur while an aircraft is at a high altitude, during descent, and after landing. Pressurized cabins and emergency oxygen supplies help mitigate the risks of high-altitude flight to human health, but ensuring the function of critical equipment requires laboratory tests.
Rapid Decompression Test Procedures
Rapid decompression can also impact equipment and products in an aircraft. To ensure continued function and integrity, ATS performs rapid decompression tests. Our test procedures follow the rigorous testing methods in MIL-STD-810 for rugged defense planes and RTCA/DO-160G for commercial aviation. Before a test, we examine the specimen’s physical characteristics and function as a point of comparison against the equipment after the decompression test.
We work with a variety of equipment and parts, including:
- Aviation parts
- Computer parts
- Electronic parts
- Manufactured parts
- Air transport containers
- Products for air transport
In a rapid decompression test, we place the test specimen in a chamber with controlled inner and outer pressures to simulate the pressure differential between an aircraft cabin and the atmosphere while in operation. We can subject the specimen to a significant change in pressure, as may occur during a plane’s ascension to a high altitude, over several minutes to a matter of seconds. Our labs simulate altitudes as low as -200 ft. to as high as 100,000 ft.
Next, we keep the chamber under a sustained period of low pressure corresponding with high altitude. Finally, we return the inner chamber to ambient pressure and examine the specimen for damage. We can also test for the proper function of electrical and computer parts after rapid decompression.
Laboratory Testing
ATS is a certified FAA repair station authorized under 14 CFR 145. Our expert technicians and engineers help maintain, inspect, and repair aircraft and aircraft components for commercial and military clients. Our ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited labs contain high-power equipment capable of simulating the conditions an aircraft and its occupants may encounter:
- Altitude
- Mechanical Fatigue
- Pressure
- Salt and Fog
- Temperature/Humidity Cycles
- UV Weathering
- Vibration
- Xenon Arc Weathering
Inspections and Calibrations from ATS
The growing ATS Family of Companies serves local and global industries, such as aerospace, manufacturing, and defense. ATS’s mission is for our qualified experts to deliver high-quality service and reliable analysis. We encourage our engineers and technicians to pursue new training opportunities as part of our ongoing movement for personal and organizational achievements, such as:
- ISO 9001:2015-registered – Quality Management System
- 10 CFR 21 – Reporting Defects and Noncompliance
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – Mechanical, Chemistry, Electrical, Nondestructive Testing and Calibrations
- NADCAP – Nondestructive and Materials Testing
Related Services
ATS helps determine the airworthiness of aircraft and equipment through close inspections. Unattended damage and defects can trigger a rapid decompression event or in-flight disaster. We offer nondestructive inspections of plane structures and specific components, including:
Our experts can perform a close visual inspection of hard-to-reach components with field and lab equipment, such as a borescope. We also offer full-service and NIST-traceable calibration, repair, and dimensional inspection services for a wide range of avionics equipment from leading manufacturers.
Contact Us
Call +1 (888) 287-5227 or complete the request form on this page to schedule a rapid decompression test with ATS.
