Unpressurized Aircraft Oxygen Systems

Oxygen is crucial to helping us stay alive. As one of the major contributors to life on Earth, oxygen must be continuously supplied to a pilot, crewmembers, and any passengers onboard an aircraft to avoid hypoxia. Often observed as a decrease or” thinning out” of oxygen as altitude rises, hypoxia can be curbed with the aid of specialized instruments. Deadly if left unsupervised, it is crucial that any of whom are flying in an aircraft always be supplied with adequate amounts of oxygen at all times. To better understand how oxygen levels can impact individuals within an aircraft, we will go over fundamental equipment used to supply various aircraft and their passengers with oxygen.

Coming in three primary forms including rebreather systems, diluter demand systems, and pressure demand systems, these pieces of equipment should be installed in aircraft depending on their maximum altitude of flight. Necessary for supplying oxygen-rich air to your lungs, and throughout the rest of your body, it is essential that an oxygen system is used when traveling in a vehicle above 12,500 feet.

Rebreather Systems

Essential for light aircraft, rebreather systems come in two forms which can each be used up to a specific altitude. Providing a continuous flow of oxygen to the nose or mouth, rebreather systems come in the form of either cannulas or breather masks. Supplying individuals in an aircraft with an uninterrupted flow of oxygen, cannulas are best employed for altitudes ranging from 12,500 to 18,000 feet. Ineffective once you reach higher altitudes, due to cannulas being incapable of supplying enough oxygen to compensate for changes in atmospheric pressure, pilots must be wary of their altitude at all times. Breather masks, on the other hand, supply a pilot with more range and should be used in exchange for cannulas when flying around 18,000 to 25,000 feet.

Diluter Demand Systems

Often utilized at altitudes above 25,000 feet, but no further than 40,000 feet, diluter demand systems compensate for the lack of oxygen found in higher elevations through the implementation of oxygen masks. Only supplying the user with oxygen on inhale, face-tight quick-don diluter demand and rebreather masks are used to automatically supply a user with oxygen-saturated cabin air.

Pressure Demand Systems 

Compensating for the lack of air pressure found high within the earth's atmosphere, pilots flying above 40,000 feet will always be required to use a pressure demand oxygen system. At this elevation, your lungs cannot properly absorb enough oxygen to sustain life functions, making it essential that masks are always equipped and well maintained.

To avoid hypoxia and any negative repercussions associated with oxygen deprivation, it is best to learn and recognize all associated symptoms before it is too late. Ranging from acute to chronic, and mild to severe, hypoxia can be a silent killer if oxygen systems were to be left unregulated in high-altitude aircraft. Mandatory for all aircraft operating above 12,500 feet, aircraft oxygen systems should be routinely inspected per manufacturer recommendation. Furthermore, any oxygen system employed should only be affixed in an aircraft in regard to its respective altitude and oxygen requirements.

At ASAP Part Services, we want to ensure that every flight you take is a safe one. As your trusted supplier of aircraft oxygen systems and their parts, we invite you to browse our inventory for numerous oxygen masks, oxygen regulators, oxygen cylinder assemblies, and their applicable components. Due to our quality control and export compliance, we operate with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation. If you would like to request a quote for your comparisons, you can submit an RFQ form as provided on our website. Upon receipt, a dedicated account manager will quickly review and respond with a personalized solution to your needs in just 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365.