BeechTalk - BT - Light Jets, Oxygen Masks and Practical Protocol

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 09:37

Username Protected wrote:

Strong drink and the Brits. Led to a loss of empire.

Sure it wasn't sodomy and the cat?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 09:39

Mr. Rose, have you met Mr. Ward?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 12:59

dangerous to wade into these waters. but what the heck.

In my observations, this is something that simply is not observed. Being practiced at the quick-donning and having your hand over the release is about as good as it gets in most jet cockpits that I've been in and witnessed.

And usually, with two guys up there for as many as 7 hours at a time (or even more than 10 if you've got a G5 or something), they are not putting on a mask. In fact they're not really spring loaded.

Can you imagine being spring loaded for 6 straight hours? I think that would be rather fatiguing and just isn't going to happen.

And take it easy on Mr. Rose. He's been a solid BT contributor. Don't give him a death sentence for a few missteps in this one thread.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 13:05

Username Protected wrote:

dangerous to wade into these waters. but what the heck.

In my observations, this is something that simply is not observed. Being practiced at the quick-donning and having your hand over the release is about as good as it gets in most jet cockpits that I've been in and witnessed.

And usually, with two guys up there for as many as 7 hours at a time (or even more than 10 if you've got a G5 or something), they are not putting on a mask. In fact they're not really spring loaded.

Can you imagine being spring loaded for 6 straight hours? I think that would be rather fatiguing and just isn't going to happen.

And take it easy on Mr. Rose. He's been a solid BT contributor. Don't give him a death sentence for a few missteps in this one thread.

What you need to be spring loaded to do is if you hear any pop, whosh, or loud noise you don the mask first and then ask "Huh, Whazzat?" Not the other way around. It may make you look silly at times but is the safe action.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 13:17

Username Protected wrote:

Every time I go into the flight levels, the altimeter goes to 29.92 and the mask goes around my neck.

Same here. Passing FL180, oxygen mask out, plugged in, tested, and sitting in my lap ready to go. And I only go to FL280.

Quote:

I've been laughed at by other pilots before, I don't care.

Peer pressure has been shown to be a poor indicator of safe practice.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 13:21

mask plugged in and on your lap is a great idea in turboprops and legacy equipment. That's what i did in the p-baron, where i usually was FL220 to FL240.

However, if you've got quick don masks at your fingertips they are staying stowed until you need them.

Allen's approach is quite sensible.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 13:24

Username Protected wrote:

However, if you've got quick don masks at your fingertips they are staying stowed until you need them.

I wonder if I should get a quick don. Suggestions on what to buy that would be compatible?

It will still require me opening the regulator valve when donning, but it would be faster to wear than the flimsy thing I got now.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 13:32

Craig,
Not sure if your masks are quick donning, but on the TBM its faster to pickup my masks from the right holster and don it than having it in my neck or lap.
I don't fly higher than FL280 and with quick donning I feel safe at altitude.

As for Mr Rose, my insurance policy those not have a GA exclusion.
As for the risk its manageable and it beats staying at home and not doing anytime.

Username Protected wrote:

Every time I go into the flight levels, the altimeter goes to 29.92 and the mask goes around my neck. It's barely noticeable, and I've practiced putting it on and getting the O2 flowing; consistently less than three seconds. I've been laughed at by other pilots before, I don't care.

Maybe if I get to be a know it all douchebag someday I'll also bash the Mits. Oh wait, that won't happen, because the Mits is a marvelous aircraft with an exemplary safety record since the SFAR.

I may be a shithead (my ex called me that just moments ago, lol), but I won't die this way.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 16:41

Username Protected wrote:

Every time I go into the flight levels, the altimeter goes to 29.92 and the mask goes around my neck.

Same here. Passing FL180, oxygen mask out, plugged in, tested, and sitting in my lap ready to go. And I only go to FL280.

Quote:

I've been laughed at by other pilots before, I don't care.

Peer pressure has been shown to be a poor indicator of safe practice.

Mike C.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 17:20

The mask goes on above FL 350 when single pilot. The Eclipse Jets and Citations I have flown have plenty of o2 to make it several flights. Don't run them on 100%

Right or wrong, this is one of the most often violated regs in aviation. I once landed after a 3 hour flight at FL410 in an Eclipse and during the ramp check, the inspector checked how much oxygen was in the bottle. He knew I spent almost the entire flight above FL350 and told me that had my oxygen bottle been full, I would have received a violation.

Moral of the story, if you are going to break this FAR, make sure you don't fly around with a topped off O2 bottle!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 17:24

Wait, now I'm confused. I knew the mask should be on (or nearly on) up there. I didn't know it actually had to be flowing O2 by the regs. Is that the case. :scratch:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 17:58

Username Protected wrote:

Wait, now I'm confused. I knew the mask should be on (or nearly on) up there. I didn't know it actually had to be flowing O2 by the regs. Is that the case. :scratch:

Heres the official text:

Quote:

At flight altitudes above flight level 350 unless one pilot at the controls of the airplane is wearing and using an oxygen mask that is secured and sealed and that either supplies oxygen at all times or automatically supplies oxygen whenever the cabin pressure altitude of the airplane exceeds 14,000 feet (MSL)

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 18:06

Username Protected wrote:

The mask goes on above FL 350 when single pilot. The Eclipse Jets and Citations I have flown have plenty of o2 to make it several flights. Don't run them on 100%

Right or wrong, this is one of the most often violated regs in aviation. I once landed after a 3 hour flight at FL410 in an Eclipse and during the ramp check, the inspector checked how much oxygen was in the bottle. He knew I spent almost the entire flight above FL350 and told me that had my oxygen bottle been full, I would have received a violation.

Moral of the story, if you are going to break this FAR, make sure you don't fly around with a topped off O2 bottle!

I struggle to see that violation actually holding up to any scrutiny. In any event, a good reason to never let the FAA on-board.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 18:38

Username Protected wrote:

I once landed after a 3 hour flight at FL410 in an Eclipse and during the ramp check, the inspector checked how much oxygen was in the bottle. He knew I spent almost the entire flight above FL350 and told me that had my oxygen bottle been full, I would have received a violation.

The stupid FAA inspector would have been wrong, and you'd would have walked.

At normal cabin altitudes, you would have been breathing cabin atmosphere through the mask, and no O2. The tank would have been full, provided you had not selected 100% (or emergency).

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 22:05

Quick donning mask is only quick donning if it is in its holder.

Mask in your lap can easily move and get lost in the confusion of an explosive decompression. Mask has to be where you can reach it, orient it, and don it, without sight.