It’s All in the Oxygen
An Interview with Scott Ashton of Aerox Aviation
Seen in this photo is Army veteran Tyson, a bilateral amputee who was traveling with his wife and 3 kids. Shown here as well is Marine Veteran Michael, also a bilateral amputee. Both of them are traveling from Virginia to the Travis Mills Foundation in Maine. It’s our honor to support these men who so selflessly gave to our Country. (Courtesy Aerox)
By Annamarie Buonocore
As pilots and aviation enthusiasts know, oxygen is critical when flying an aircraft. Obviously, oxygen is always critical, but having the right amount dispensed in the right way is so important while flying that it can impact how a pilot feels and functions in the cockpit. In this month’s issue of In Flight USA, we want to pay special attention to the issue of oxygen, including the FAA regulations around it, the manufacturers of the product, and most importantly, the pilots and passengers that rely so heavily upon it. We are excited to feature a Florida-based company called Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems. Owner, Scott Ashton and the Aerox team are truly oxygen gurus with years of experience studying oxygen in diverse types of aircraft. Below are his story and some advice points about using oxygen for best aviation practices.
IFU: Tell me a little bit about Aerox and what you offer.
SA: Aerox is an aviation oxygen company. That is all we do. We do not have any other product lines and are exclusively focused on oxygen systems for business and general aviation. Occasionally we do commercial systems, but our focus is on business and general aviation markets. The problem we are trying to solve for pilots is hypoxia, which as you know, is very dangerous from a flight safety perspective. It has killed many pilots.
It’s not only the high-altitude aircraft or the turboprops that require oxygen knowledge by pilots. It’s all aircraft. I come at this as an instructor and a pilot myself. What we are taught as private pilots regarding hypoxia is wholly inadequate. What we are trying to teach pilots at Aerox is that one can get hypoxia at an altitude as low as 8,000 feet. We are really gearing our portable products , which are cost-effective and easy to use, to all pilots as every pilot can benefit from using oxygen above 8,000’ or any time at night. We also sell a lot of installed systems, so we work with OEMs, completion centers, and those in the aero-medical space. Our AS-9100 quality systems are based around working with aerospace OEMs. That is what Aerox is. We are oxygen.
IFU: Do you focus more on the portables that can be brought with you or the installed systems?
SA: We have both. We have installed systems that are end-to-end solutions for OEMs. These come with all components necessary to operate the entire oxygen system. Then of course, we have the portable systems that go in the back of the seat. They are very easy to use. Some of these serve up to six passengers. These come as a kit so that the pilot can bring it in any aircraft and provide oxygen for their passengers. We also have more technical products like approved masks that come in two styles. One is good up to 25,000 feet with a TSO and one that is good up to 40,000 feet with a TSO.
IFU: How long have you been in business?
SA: Aerox has been in business for 40 years. We started in 1981, so we are celebrating our 40th year. This is a big milestone for us. I have been the owner of the company for one year. I am coming up on my one-year anniversary. This is a big year for Aerox, both because of recent changes and because of the long term opportunities we see.
IFU: Tell me about where you are based and why it is such a good location.
SA: We’re down in Benita Springs, Fla. We have been there for about four years. The former owners moved us down there to be closer to their headquarters. It’s a fantastic facility. We are actually moving into our own brand new space May 1. It’s a great location because south Florida is an aviation hub. There are many events from trade shows to OEMs to suppliers. We are thrilled to be there. It is a competitive place for business, and the talent pool is deep because there are a lot of aerospace companies down here.
IFU: Tell me about your employees. How big of a company is Aerox?
SA: We have 13 employees. They are across the board. We have people in engineering, supply chain management, technicians, and my wife and I handle the administrative tasks.
IFU: Do you manufacture everything in your Florida facility?
SA: Yes, we produce everything right here in our facility and of course we have an extensive supply chain. It is all made in the U.S.
IFU: What are some key points you would say to pilots about oxygen usage?
SA: First off, I would say forget about 14 CFR Part 91.211. That is the regulation that mandates that crewmembers have to use oxygen above 12,500 feet depending on their time above that altitude. From a safety perspective, that regulation is completely inadequate. Based on our research and testing, the blood oxygen concentration level (SpO2) starts to drop to below 90% at altitudes as low as 8,000 feet. From a physiological perspective, you don’t want to go below 90 percent. Many pilots say that they don’t go up to 12,000 feet so oxygen isn’t a consideration, but we as pilots should be using oxygen much lower than that. Now we have all flown without oxygen above 8,000 feet, and that is not a state you want to be in when flying and shooting approaches. It causes fatigue, , headaches, and general fogginess. You may not even recognize that you are flying impaired.
That is the most important message I can get out there. Consider your own physiology and use a pulse oximeter. If you are in the low 90s or high 80s for your SpO2, you need supplemental oxygen or you need to descend because you will not be as sharp when shooting that approach or doing that crosswind landing. Why set yourself up for that? An oxygen system is not expensive and is easy to carry with you in the cockpit.
IFU: What is your pricing and who is your ideal customer for one of these portable systems?
SA: The price ranges from $500 to $1,200 depending on the accessories you purchase. We are announcing at Sun ‘n Fun the PrO2 Plus, which is $399. This is a smaller bottle with a fixed flow rate. It has a single canula for the pilot to throw in their flight bag. We are announcing that entry-level system at Sun ‘n Fun.
IFU: What sets your oxygen products apart?
SA: I would say our customer service is very important. I am a pilot myself, and I have a personal connection to our customers. This is an important purchase, so I try my best to connect with my customers. Our quality is a real differentiator because we have Aerospace quality systems and certified to AS9100. We are at an aerospace level that many companies have not reached. Our customers definitely benefit from that. With the TSO approval of our oxygen masks, which is unique among manufacturers of portable oxygen systems, you get aerospace-quality oxygen for general aviation.
IFU: How long does a cylinder of oxygen last?
SA: The endurance depends on altitude and the number of users. A full system can last anywhere from between 4 hours and 30 hours depending on the altitude and flow rate. The important thing is to use the oxygen you need to keep your oxygen level above 95%. Our Oxymizer Cannulas are conserver cannulas that cut oxygen use dramatically, without additional hoses, batteries, or settings.
IFU: What made you choose this aspect of aviation?
SA: The Aerox acquisition was a great opportunity for us. I have been in aviation since I was 17, and it is really my favorite thing to do. I have been fortunate to have had an eclectic aviation career which gave me the diverse background I need to do this. My career has included roles in engineering, marketing, aircraft finance, aircraft sales, and running several Part 135 and 145 operators. I have had a broad range of experiences in aviation. I am also an ATP and CFI. I have run companies for other owners as a manager, and I always wanted to have my own business. When this opportunity came along, we swallowed hard, took a big swing, and made it work while in the middle of Covid. We love the business, the team, and the customers. We are very optimistic about the future.
IFU: What are your plans for the future?
SA: We want to continue to grow the business and to extend our product lines in a measured way. The company has great products and capabilities and we want to continue to expand on that. We will always be focused on oxygen products and I don’t see us going into other product lines. There is a lot going on for a company we bought just last year. We had to separate the company from its former parent, which meant implementing many new back-office processes and systems, which was a great opportunity to modernize systems. Now we are about to move into a brand new location which will nearly double our footprint and provide room for growth. I am also working on the marketing messaging and branding, and how we present our messaging to the marketplace. It has been an amazing experience and a lot of fun. Our employees are terrific and I am having a great time working with them. Its all been just wonderful!
IFU: Is there anything else you would like to add?
SA: Yes, I am on the board for Patient Airlift Services (PALS), which is a wonderful volunteer pilot organization providing free flights to those in need of transportation to medical treatments. PALS also works with Veterans charities to provide free flights for our wounded soldiers who need transportation for treatments. I am a big supporter of PALS, and that the organization is very important to us. Aviation brings out the best in people, and the PALS volunteers are the best-of-the-best that our industry has to offer. Watching the patients get better over time is very positive and rewarding.
