Money in the Flight Levels?

[N201MKTurbo]

The military currently uses oxygen concentrators in all its new fighters and they have been retrofitted into a lot of the older jets. A lot higher dispatch rate then carrying around LOX.

 

They are expensive systems and power hungry. I believe there is a GA unit available, but it will only serve one person and it is kind of big.

[Marauder]

Where I think the myth came about with different grades of oxygen was the FDA requirement for a prescription if it was used for medicinal purposes. Although it is the same oxygen, the gas suppliers are supposed to ask if you are using it for medicinal purposes. If they do, just say NO!

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[RobertGary1]

Where I think the myth came about with different grades of oxygen was the FDA requirement for a prescription if it was used for medicinal purposes. Although it is the same oxygen, the gas suppliers are supposed to ask if you are using it for medicinal purposes. If they do, just say NO!

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But perhaps its regional but at least around here none of the oxygen suppliers deal with medical oxygen, only welding. The medical oxygen is supplied by companies that do bottle swaps, and increasingly they're moving to servicing home concentrators instead. There is no place to fill a personal tank. 

 

-Robert

[PaulB]

http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/182079-1.html

 

This is a good read on the topic by John Deakin

[Bob_Belville]

I bought a 150cf tank from Airgas. Initial cost for full tank (2000psi plus 10%) $259.

I exchange when empty for $23. (That's 150 cuft @ 2200 psi)

By buying a tank there's no tank rental which is a more expensive option in the long run.

 

 

The only other piece to the puzzle is: 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oxygen-Transfill-Adaptor-CGA540-CGA540-Fill-small-Welding-tanks-/141041565692?hash=item20d6bb7ffc

cost $95 plus tax, frt.

I keep my portable tank topped off, it takes about 5 minutes.

 

Note that taking my big tank to the gas supply depot allows me to get the same oxygen that the same gas company would call aviation grade if they delivered it to the airport.

[hramirez8]

I regularly fly my J to south America via the Caribbean (Bahamas Dominican Republic Venezuela route). I always fly at over 10K highest at 15K. I find it hard to fly lower due to turbulence and I figure when flying above so much water better have more gliding range. Now I am planning a trip to Colombia and some MEAs are at 15K, so I want to have assurance I can reach 18K for safety. Any experience from anybody flying a non turbo between 15K and 18K?

[Piloto]

I regularly fly my J to south America via the Caribbean (Bahamas Dominican Republic Venezuela route). I always fly at over 10K highest at 15K. I find it hard to fly lower due to turbulence and I figure when flying above so much water better have more gliding range. Now I am planning a trip to Colombia and some MEAs are at 15K, so I want to have assurance I can reach 18K for safety. Any experience from anybody flying a non turbo between 15K and 18K?

Weight is the major factor in achieving 18K. Big difference between 20gals and 60gals onboard. Also air temperature. On my trips from TJIG to KFXE (non-stop) I would climb to 14K to keep in contact with San Juan Oceanic and then Miami Oceanic. No need to contact Nassau Radio. Also to take advantage of the easterly winds. With 100gals onboard the M20J will make 16K. Trying to achieve 18K was a waste of time, speed and fuel. You have to burn more than half the fuel to even try it. I have a Colombian friend that flew his M20F to Bogota and Manizales without any problems. But could only put 100gals in Cartagena on his way back to Florida (non-stop). Have a GPS navigator with terrain depiction. High mountains (over 15K) such as El Nevado often are covered by clouds and snow. Be aware of terrain when descending through clouds. At night be aware of voids in the city lights. It could be a lake or a mountain.

 

José

[MyNameIsNobody]

I thought this was a thread about the dude that robbed and parachuted out...Definitely BIG money in the flight levels that day