During the climb both dampers should be closed. The scoops, however, should remain open so that the pilot may be able to blow air into the ballonets by opening the dampers, should he decide to come do~m again. 

CAUTION: 2400 ft •. per.minute is the maximum permissible rate of climb. The actual rate of climb should be kept well below this vaiue. 

(g) Level Flight 

In level flight it is common pr2.ctice to keep the for› ward damper and the scoops open so as to produce an air pressure slightly higher than the setting of the valves, causing a circulation of air through the air damper and the air valve. 

CAUTION: The air release valves should not be opened manually when the ship is flying near or above pressure height. 

A warning to this effect is mounted on the pilot’s instrument panel. As long as the valves are opere>.ted auto- rna tically, with the scoops and air damper opened, pre::;sure in the system does not drop below the setting of the valves although the ballonets may become completely deflated. If the air valves were opened manually at this ’point, the small amount of air in the system would become quickly exhe.usted, the pressure dropping to atmospheric pre2sure. The 3ir line patches or the air line frame may be dama.ged by the full unbalanced gas pressure. 

