AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011 - 32

PILOTCOUNSEL

BY JOHN S. YODICE
AOPA SECRETARY

Supplemental oxygen

ule FAR 91.211 requires supplemental oxygen for general aviation (noncommercial) operations (airliners and some other commercial

the PIC need not assure that occupants, other than the required flight crew, have supplemental oxygen available to them. Above 15,000 feet msl each occupant of the aircraft must be provided with supplemental oxygen. Notice that the PIC is responsible to assure that supplemental oxygen is available to the other occupants, but the PIC is not responsible for assuring that the occupants use the oxygen. • Pressurized cabin aircraft. Pressurized aircraft have both special requirements related specifically operations and aircraft have stricter requirements). to pressurized cabin aircraft, and, in addition, have I present this review at this time because gradually, the above requirements that relate both to pressurJohn S. Yodice over the years, more and more GA aircraft are operized and unpressurized aircraft. The key altitudes owns and pilots a ating at higher altitudes where the rule kicks in. I can related to the special requirements for pressurCessna 310. simplify this review for the reader by focusing on ized aircraft only, are “above flight level 250” and the requirements that apply to the particular aircraft “above flight level 350.”But, before we get to the that one flies. So, let’s differentiate aircraft as either special requirements for pressurized aircraft only, (1) an unpressurized aircraft that does not carry supplemental in a pressurized aircraft, the above requirements that apply to oxygen, or (2) an unpressurized aircraft that has supplemental unpressurized aircraft still apply, depending on the pressure oxygen, and (3) a pressurized aircraft. altitude of the cabin. If the aircraft is able to maintain cabin • Unpressurized aircraft; no oxygen. For anyone operating an altitudes at or below the appropriate key altitudes mentioned unpressurized aircraft that does not carry supplemental oxygen, above, there is no additional requirement for the availability or which still constitute the majority of the GA fleet, the rule is use of supplemental oxygen by the flight crew or other occusimple. The key altitude is 12,500 feet msl. There is no regulatory pants. However, in a pressurized-cabin aircraft, if the cabin requirement for supplemental oxygen at or below that key alti- pressure is above an altitude of 12,500 feet msl, the minimum tude (although there could be good physiological reasons why a flight crew must have available and use supplemental oxygen pilot would want to use oxygen below that altitude). The regu- (with the same exception for any portion of the flight of 30 minlation contains some leeway, just in case we need a little time utes or less, at or below 14,000 feet msl.) above that key altitude; for example, to get over some weather Now to the special requirements specifically for pressurized or to maintain VFR cloud clearance. It provides that an aircraft aircraft that are operated above the key altitudes of FL250 and may be operated above 12,500 feet msl for up to 30 minutes, FL350. At flight altitudes above FL250 there must be a least a free of any supplemental oxygen requirement. However, that 10-minute supply of supplemental oxygen available for each is a very limited exception, and any part of the flight of more occupant of the aircraft, including flight crewmembers. This than 30 minutes duration above that key altitude triggers the reserve is required in the event of a descent due to a loss of requirement for supplemental oxygen. cabin pressurization. This minimum supply is in addition to • Unpressurized aircraft; oxygen. Above the key altitude of the oxygen that may be necessary to meet the above require12,500 feet msl in an unpressurized aircraft with supplemen- ments common to both pressurized and unpressurized aircraft. tal oxygen (installed or portable), we can, of course, utilize the Aircraft operating at flight altitudes above FL350 are usually oxygen to meet the requirements. The requirements above certificated to require more than one pilot. However, we are this altitude vary depending on whether a person is a required seeing more aircraft certificated for single-pilot operation. At flight crewmember or merely another occupant. And, they vary flight altitudes above FL350, one pilot (maybe the only required depending on other key altitudes, i.e., “above 14,000 feet msl” pilot) at the controls is required to wear and use an oxygen and “above 15,000 feet msl.” A person who is a “required mini- mask at all times above that altitude. The mask must be secured mum flight crew” member—the pilot in command of a typical and sealed. GA aircraft—must have available and use supplemental oxygen If there are two pilots at the controls and each has a quickfor any part of the flight above 12,500 feet msl that is longer than donning type of oxygen mask available, neither pilot need wear 30 minutes. Above 14,000 feet msl, we lose the 30-minute grace the oxygen mask. This exception does not apply when one pilot period. There, the “required minimum flight crew” must have leaves the controls of the aircraft for any reason. Then, when available and use supplemental oxygen during the entire flight operating at the flight altitudes above FL350, the remaining pilot time above the key altitude of 14,000 feet msl. at the controls must put on and use an oxygen mask until the What about occupants of the aircraft who are not required other pilot has returned to that crewmember’s station. flight crewmembers? Passengers? At or below 15,000 feet msl, Happy landings! 32 • OCTOBER
2011

AOPA PILOT •

AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2011