Oxygen masks

[Chris Strube]

I'm about to turbo my '65E.  What are the opinions on the best mask for pilot and one passenger, for use above FL180?

 

thanks,

[Danb]

I have aerotex with built in Mike about $450 Us. and  oxisaver cannula's..I use the masks above 17000 and oxisaver cannula's under 17000...with good results, if your not used to flying in the flight levels I would get time with a qualified CFI to learn plus read as much as possible re. high flying, hypoxia etc. once you learn the nuances and gain respect for the pitfalls of same then your ready to escape on your own....good luck.

[Chris Strube]

Hi Dan,

I can't find "aerotex" anywhere.  Do you mean  "Aerox"?  I've been regularly flying between 15,000 and FL190 with my canullas, but need masks for

myself and my wife.

[Piloto]

If your blood oxygen saturation is above 93% with the cannulas use them. They will save more oxygen than the mask. The masks are cumbersome with the headsets and when eating. Keep in mind that the higher you go the more oxygen you will need. So a portable O2 tank may not last for two onboard on a long trip.

José

[Chris Strube]

Hi Jose,

Sorry, no accent on this keyboard...

I made my own oxygen system, starting with a 680 liter medical tank and medical regulator.  Then I made a 2 person brass manifold with needle valves for each outlet, feeding Nelson flow meters, then to oxysaver cannulas.  I use a pulse oxyimeter.  We always carry 2 tanks.  We live in the Coast Mountains, and 15,000 is the MEA to travel east.  One tank will last for both of us to cross the Rockies both ways using cannulas.  However, with the new turbo, I might need masks occasionally.

Chris

[Danb]

Yes sorry. Dumb auto speller 

[Danb]

Chris in the US we are required to wear masks at 18000, not sure in Canada

[Chris Strube]

Same here.  Most of our rules are very similar.  I'm just glad Transport Canada isn't as anal as the FAA about turbo STCs.  I was able to buy

a brand new Rajay kit for a very good price, It was unsaleable in the US because the FAA requires a signature from the original STC holder.

[M20F]

I use an Aerox mask/mic combo at all altitudes.  I find the cannulas to be uncomfortable and dry my nose out and given 2000lbs of O2 lasts me a year plus the savings discussion oxisaber versus mask doesn't even entrr into the equation.  If I fly high it is generally FL190-210 otherwise I am 9000-11000 feet.  

[Awful_Charlie]

I have a pair of Alps masks which are pretty comfortable (not that I've tried any others mind you) although I tend to use canulas when below 18,000 (easier to eat & drink) They also work fine with my audio panel (G*rmin) and Bose headsets - the latter have Lemo plugs and plugging a jack of the mask mic in cuts out the Bose headset mic

 

 

 

[cliffy]

I must admit that I am pretty opinionated on the subject of O2 in non-pressurized aircraft after the better part of 4 decades flying in the higher altitudes. For those who are new to the subject and/or contemplating higher flight :-) I would like to recommend that you  go to the  current issue of "The Mooney Flyer"  (Nov) and read my article on hypoxia. It also references another great hypoxia article written by another author earlier this year. 

Hypoxia is insidious, it sneaks up on you and you may never know it's there until it's too late. Just research the many total aircraft losses due to hypoxic pilots (Payne Stewart, etc) and many who were professionally trained in the effects of hypoxia. If you don't know WHY cannulas don't work above 18,000' you need to know more about flying at higher altitudes. If you believe in the TUC tables (or you don't know what they are) you really need to read the articles mentioned above. 

As always, ya'll be careful out there. 

http://www.themooneyflyer.com/

[Chris Strube]

Thanks, Cliffy,

 

I've read your excellent article.  As a climatologist, I'm aware of partial pressures, and the reason for masks and cannulas.  I've been flying between 15000 and FL180 since 1995, monitoring my blood sats with a pulse oximeter.  My DIY oxygen system is constant flow with Nelson flowmeters, working from medical tanks with medical regulator.  This system has worked fine until now, but with the turbo coming, I'll invest in 2 good masks, and an emergency system.

 

Thanks for the help

[cliffy]

BTW, my early FAA physicals (1960s and 70s) were given by Dr. Sid White out in Los Angeles. He was the Dr. that got cannulas approved for light aircraft. He just passed away last week at age 93.