The RAF has finally cleared Tunnock's Tea Cakes for flight after a 60-year ban, following tests that proved the sweet treats don't pose a danger at high altitude.
The popular Scottish confections were originally prohibited on military aircraft after an incident where they reportedly exploded during emergency depressurisation.
When a captain pulled an emergency switch, the tea cakes blew up, sending pieces of chocolate and marshmallow onto the windscreen, flight controls and uniforms.
Now, six decades later, the RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine in Henlow, Bedfordshire, has conducted scientific tests to determine whether the marshmallow-filled treats actually pose a risk to aviation safety.
The results have overturned the long-standing ban, much to the delight of sweet-toothed pilots and passengers.
The tests involved placing the chocolate-covered biscuits with marshmallow filling in an altitude chamber normally used for training new jet pilots.
The tea cakes were lifted to 8,000ft, climbing at 4,000ft per minute.
They were then rapidly decompressed to 25,000ft in just three seconds to simulate emergency conditions.
While the marshmallow did escape from the chocolate casing during the experiment, the tea cakes did not explode in a manner that would risk in-flight safety.
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The researchers made an additional discovery that could make the treats even safer for aviation.
When the tea cakes were frozen before being placed in the chamber, their hardened chocolate shells proved more resilient to cracking at altitude.
The experiment was filmed for the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which provides news and entertainment for military personnel and their families.
Dr Oliver Bird, a medical officer instructor who oversaw the tea cake tests, saw no reason why they couldn't be taken on flights.
He recommended keeping them frozen for maximum safety: "I think the best advice is that the snacks are kept frozen and in their foil wrappings until pilots are ready to consume them."
Hannah King, who filmed the tests for BFBS News, described it as "a critical piece of scientific testing."
She said: "I'm just glad the RAF medics at the Centre of Aerospace Medicine stepped up and answered the question that everyone's been wondering for so many years."
King speculated about the original incident: "It may be that the original tea cakes really did explode in a much more dangerous fashion. Perhaps the recipe has changed - who knows."
She concluded: "People ought to spread the word - it's safe to fly with tea cakes."
Find Out More...
The popular Scottish confections were originally prohibited on military aircraft after an incident where they reportedly exploded during emergency depressurisation.
When a captain pulled an emergency switch, the tea cakes blew up, sending pieces of chocolate and marshmallow onto the windscreen, flight controls and uniforms.
Now, six decades later, the RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine in Henlow, Bedfordshire, has conducted scientific tests to determine whether the marshmallow-filled treats actually pose a risk to aviation safety.
The results have overturned the long-standing ban, much to the delight of sweet-toothed pilots and passengers.
The tests involved placing the chocolate-covered biscuits with marshmallow filling in an altitude chamber normally used for training new jet pilots.
The tea cakes were lifted to 8,000ft, climbing at 4,000ft per minute.
They were then rapidly decompressed to 25,000ft in just three seconds to simulate emergency conditions.
While the marshmallow did escape from the chocolate casing during the experiment, the tea cakes did not explode in a manner that would risk in-flight safety.
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The researchers made an additional discovery that could make the treats even safer for aviation.
When the tea cakes were frozen before being placed in the chamber, their hardened chocolate shells proved more resilient to cracking at altitude.
The experiment was filmed for the British Forces Broadcasting Service, which provides news and entertainment for military personnel and their families.
Dr Oliver Bird, a medical officer instructor who oversaw the tea cake tests, saw no reason why they couldn't be taken on flights.
He recommended keeping them frozen for maximum safety: "I think the best advice is that the snacks are kept frozen and in their foil wrappings until pilots are ready to consume them."
Hannah King, who filmed the tests for BFBS News, described it as "a critical piece of scientific testing."
She said: "I'm just glad the RAF medics at the Centre of Aerospace Medicine stepped up and answered the question that everyone's been wondering for so many years."
King speculated about the original incident: "It may be that the original tea cakes really did explode in a much more dangerous fashion. Perhaps the recipe has changed - who knows."
She concluded: "People ought to spread the word - it's safe to fly with tea cakes."
Find Out More...