Human Performance Matters: Why Helicopter Aircrew Need Modern Bladder Relief Systems

For decades, tactical aviation communities have accepted an uncomfortable reality: many military aircraft simply do not have bathrooms onboard. While this issue has gained increased attention in the tactical jet community, helicopter pilots and aircrewmen continue to face many of the same bladder relief challenges often with even fewer resources and less institutional support.

In most two-pilot helicopters, aviators sit shoulder-to-shoulder in confined cockpits. Historically, male aviators have relied on piddle packs, often passing flight controls to their copilot, unzipping the bottom of their flight suit, and attempting to relieve themselves in flight. It is awkward, distracting, and far from ideal in a demanding operational environment.

For female aviators, the challenge has historically been significantly worse. Traditional options for women have included small funnel devices commonly referred to as “Shewees,” which require partially doffing the lower portion of a two-piece flight suit. In the cramped confines of a helicopter cockpit, female aviators are often left trying to squat over their seat or hand off controls and move into the back of the aircraft to find privacy. In aircraft such as the MH-60R Romeo or MH-60S Sierra, that often means asking rear aircrew, system operators, or rescue swimmers to “look the other way” while they attempt to urinate into a piddle pack or bottle during flight.

These are not minor inconveniences. They are human performance issues directly impacting focus, hydration, safety, and mission effectiveness.

Despite the operational reality, helicopter communities have not received the same level of funding support for modern bladder relief systems as many tactical jet squadrons. Senior Navy aviation leadership, including the Air Boss, has repeatedly stated at conferences such as Tailhook Symposium that any aviator who wants a bladder relief system should have access to one. Yet in practice, many helicopter aviators report hearing the same response when they request systems such as Skydrate: “There’s no funding available.”

In many cases, the discretionary funding accounts squadrons use to purchase bladder relief systems are depleted by competing priorities such as ready room equipment or other quality-of-life purchases. The result is that many aviators continue flying long missions without reliable, hands-free bladder relief capability.

This is difficult to justify in a military environment that continuously invests billions into advanced aircraft, sensors, and weapons systems while often overlooking the physiological needs of the human being sitting behind the controls.

Every aviator flying an aircraft without an onboard lavatory should be issued a modern bladder relief system in early training. While systems such as Skydrate represent an upfront investment, they are durable, reusable, and can support aviators throughout the duration of their careers.

More importantly, these systems directly support safe operations.

Skydrate is an automatic bladder relief system that allows aviators to urinate without removing their hands from the controls. By reducing cockpit distraction and eliminating the need for awkward and unsafe in-flight workarounds, these systems help aviators remain hydrated, focused, and mission capable.

Some may argue that many helicopters already have “piss tubes” installed. While technically true, these systems are often outdated and problematic. Aviators routinely report issues with freezing, clogs, and splash-back into the cockpit. Additionally, these systems are notoriously difficult, if not impossible, for female aviators to use effectively.

The issue becomes even more critical during overwater operations.

Naval helicopter crews frequently operate in cold-water environments while wearing immersion or dry suits designed to protect them in the event of a ditching. When water temperatures fall below 52 degrees, these suits become essential survival equipment. However, the heavy waterproof zippers on immersion suits are extremely difficult to unzip and reseal in flight, making traditional bladder relief methods nearly impossible.

Modern systems such as Skydrate provide a far more practical solution. Through-suit connectors can be installed at the squadron PR shop level, allowing aviators to safely use bladder relief systems without compromising the integrity of their immersion suit. The result is simple but critical: aviators can remain hydrated, maintain focus on the mission, and reduce unnecessary distraction during high-workload operations.