Tips from the Pros - February 2011
“Tips from the Pros” is a new feature dedicated to allowing the In Flight USA family of aviation professionals to share tips and information regarding flying skills, airframe care and engine operations.
Are you a pro? Send in your tips for consideration. Please send 400 to 600 words describing your tip to editor@inflightusa.com.
Reduce the Risk of Hypoxia
Do you or your passengers sometimes arrive after your flight feeling tired with a headache? Rest easy, you are not ill with some weird virus but more likely are suffering from the insidious effects of hypoxia. Between 5,000 and 12,000 feet, hypoxia may cause the first signs of fatigue, drowsiness, sluggishness, headache, and slower reaction time. At 15,000 feet, the hypoxic effect becomes increasingly apparent in terms of impaired efficiency, increased drowsiness, errors in judgment, and difficulty with simple tasks requiring mental alertness or muscular coordination. These symptoms become more intensified with progressively higher ascent or with prolonged exposure
Hypoxia is a far more common problem than most helicopter pilots admit and is not limited to pilots of turbocharged or high performance aircraft. Many pilots need and use oxygen below the 12,500 feet specified in the FARs. In general, it can be assumed that the normal, healthy individual is unlikely to need supplementary oxygen at altitudes below 8,000 feet. One exception is night flying. Because the retina of the eye is affected by even extremely mild hypoxia, deterioration of night vision becomes significant above 5,000 feet.
Flying three to four hours at seven to ten thousand feet is enough to cause hypoxia induced discomfort and possible disorientation to even the most healthy and physically fit pilot. Plus, on the average, women need supplemental oxygen about 2,000 feet lower than her male counterpart.
The sure fire way to reduce the risk of hypoxia caused discomfort is with a MH portable oxygen system. A portable oxygen system can help you and your passengers arrive more comfortably. With a portable system you also increase your airplanes utility as 12,500 feet of altitude may no longer be a barrier. You’ll be able to climb over turbulence and weather, make use of favorable tailwinds and even enjoy the lighter traffic that flies between 10,000 and 20,000 feet.
MH Oxygen Systems has an easy to use two-person portable patented Pulse-Demand Oxygen System that reduces oxygen workload to almost nil. The MH EDS O2D2 Pulse Demand automatically delivers the required supplemental oxygen for various altitudes for both the pilot and passengers.
The complete standard, ready-to-go, MH O2D2 Pulse Demand system consists of an aluminum oxygen cylinder (pilots have a choice of sizes with upgrades available for very lightweight composite cylinders), a cylinder carry case that attaches to the back of the seat, primary reducing regulator, low pressure service line, connection fittings, the O2D2 oxygen controller unit, breathing cannulas, face masks, and a tote bag.
A variety of options are available to meet specific pilot needs. Options include lightweight composite cylinders, regulators, adapters, cannulas, comfortable facemasks (sans plastic bag) with or without mics and built-in systems to name a few.
For additional information, contact Mountain High Equipment & Supply toll free at 800-468-8185 or E-mail sales@MHoxygen.com.
