not a dirty joke.. how do women pee in single seat aircraft?

[tom d. friedman]

read in the newspaper that 700 + military women are testing new uniforms & gear suited specifically to their gender. they are testing flak vests, flight suits, bdu's etc to the contour of the average woman service member. the reason for the test is that so many women in the military, & now in limited combat situations wear ill fitting gear that it is a hazard to their safety & fitted for men. but what about fighter pilots?? the guys have the luxury of the relief tube while still not an easy task, but what of the poor gals?? hold it for 6 to 8 hours?? let's try to keep the replies clean guys!!

[Dan K]

I caught a recent news item about a lady Apache pilot in Afghanistan. She stated she flies missions in an intentionally dehydrated condition.

[JohnTerrell]

I was just going to mention that as well Dan, as seen on NBC Nightly News last week. In the piece it was stated that she has to purposely dehydrate herself before going on the 6-8 hour missions, for this very reason, which has led to kidney-related problems, making an already difficult job that much more so.

[The Inspector]

Based on motorcycle trips with the former, if I was on the ground, the LAST thing I'd want to face up to would be a female with an overly full bladder flying a fighter!!!

[expat]

I wouldve thought sitting down ....sorry couldnt resist

[Cking]

Ok thats got the Girl's out of the way. How does any pilot manage "something a bit more serious" in a single seater?

Rgds Cking

[LadyO2Pilot]

As a female pilot, my first response is "NOT EASILY." I am not in combat, so my answer may not have total value. I always have the option to land and take care of business. My combat aircraft does not have a relief tube so I have also not been tempted to try that method. In my former life, I flew very slow aircraft which sometimes caused my "holding" ability to be seriously strained; sometimes I made it to the destination, sometimes I had unscheduled stops. It was suggested that I take one of those commercially available relief bottles designed for women. Those may work for someone in the right seat or someone flying totally on autopilot. Doesn't work when you basically have to completely undress to use the silly thang and then fly the plane too.

If I really had to be in the plane for 6-8 hours with no chance to land, I might investigate those NASA diapers that crazy lady astronaut used on her non stop driving trip from Texas to Florida several years ago.

[mustanglover]

I am pretty sure the military does not do this, but I have seen several female competition sailplane pilots that would insert a catheter.

I also know of several male pilots who wear a male catheter (not the insert type )

[T33driver]

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_pilotpotty_051208/

[Nathan]

[tom d. friedman]

I caught a recent news item about a lady Apache pilot in Afghanistan. She stated she flies missions in an intentionally dehydrated condition.

that was mentioned in the newspaper article, & that is 1 issue the military is trying to solve for health reasons. also women pilots holding their wizz for hours on end isn't helping either causing bladder / kidney infections.

[tom d. friedman]

As a female pilot, my first response is "NOT EASILY." I am not in combat, so my answer may not have total value. I always have the option to land and take care of business. My combat aircraft does not have a relief tube so I have also not been tempted to try that method. In my former life, I flew very slow aircraft which sometimes caused my "holding" ability to be seriously strained; sometimes I made it to the destination, sometimes I had unscheduled stops. It was suggested that I take one of those commercially available relief bottles designed for women. Those may work for someone in the right seat or someone flying totally on autopilot. Doesn't work when you basically have to completely undress to use the silly thang and then fly the plane too.

If I really had to be in the plane for 6-8 hours with no chance to land, I might investigate those NASA diapers that crazy lady astronaut used on her non stop driving trip from Texas to Florida several years ago.

i know about the pee funnel ........ i sell them to boaters w/ no facilities on board. you hit the gist of this post!! no auto pilot, no co - pilot, wrangle yourself out of a flight suit, etc. might as well wear an adult diaper like the wacky shuttle astronaut / navy captain who made her trip to from texas to florida with her bb gun

[RareBear]

Well, it Depends. . . . . . . . . .

Walt

[wendovertom]

This is an interesting (?) topic Having a small amount of knowledge about the U2 program they have had this issue figured out for a long time. In fact, I have been told a few funny stories about pilots putting on the "relief tube" prior to flight and having to greet surprise visitors with nothing on but the basic layers of the pressure suit on

Tom P.

[tinbender2]

When I was in the USAF (20yrs ago), we used piddle packs. Relatively easy for someone with outdoor (male) plumbing, but I doubt if a female could have used one very easily.

I suspect someone could jury-rig a catheter setup for women, but gooooood luck convincing them to use it.