High Altitude Flying and using the Oxygen System

The low down on the using oxygen systems while flying and some great high altitude flying tips. Using cannulas, O2 masks, and pulse oximeters. Also some of the items you need to be aware of when flying at altitudes that require oxygen.
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[@derstuka96]

The autopilot is top notch! What a beautiful instrument panel and cockpit. Very nice video!

[@avfan967]

What idiot - no what three idiots gave this video a thumbs down? Truly three people in the world that could use oxygen!! This is an excellent high altitude 101 video. Good stuff!

[@Rear_Admiral522]

Wow, really nice video! It was very informative and fun to watch! I don't know why, but I am fascinated by high-altitude flying.

[@NorthStarAero]

+Verrückter Wissenschaftler Glad you enjoyed! I enjoy the high alt stuff. Pretty fun in a piston aircraft.

[@rickjunkin6092]

Mark, and others watching the video, The Precise Flight mask microphone that you talk about in your video can be adjusted lower within the mask so that you can wear the mask in a higher, more comfortable position. The higher position also helps maintain a better seal on the mask for most people. You can bend the wires that attach the microphone and reposition it to a lower position in the mask. Kenny Hill at Precise Flight, 541.382.8684, can assist you if you want more info.

[@tadbarker7082]

Superb video! Thanks for doing this 👍

[@larrysmith1568]

Excellent.

[@gbigsangle3044]

The wife just said you did a great job. And in fact you did a great job...Thanks for this....

[@LostInSpace175]

thank you for this! learning high altitude flying now!

[@NorthStarAero]

Have fun!

[@Windtee]

Very informative! It's a wing-rockin' intro to high alt, oxygen, and FL procedures! Thanks, Mark! #Aviation #Cirrus

[@mmcgrat]

Thank you so much for this extremely informative video -- its an excellent resource for thinking about going up into the FLs. Thanks.

[@ssmith954]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@MikeKobb]

This was really cool, thanks! The audio from the mask mic is really good. Looks like your trick with the position works well.

[@jeremyayers3977]

Great video!! Thanks for taking the time to make this.

[@dgheonmd]

Great video, nice job. Nice plane. Thanks for the helpful info.

[@devonbantz858]

Thanks Mark for another very informative video

[@sailord-life861]

good video informative makes sense to have the training

[@48Ballen]

My good friend did all of this and experienced the "bends" and had to make an emergency descent. You need to be on guard for Nitrogen bends issues....it is not just the O2 level.

[@NorthStarAero]

Holy.....How high was he flying?

[@jtkent28]

Really great video! A quick camera shot outside the window at 25K ft would have been cool though : ) Our flight school just got an SR-20 and soon a 22 as well. No plans for a 22T but would love to get some Oxygen to go up high in the normal 22 sometime.

[@neilbertg8143]

SR22T are amazing, great vid

[@viktorantoniussen6067]

excellent vid!

[@AeroworksProductions]

Nice video and overview.

[@craig6603]

I don't know if you were talking once you put the mask on in the pre-flight but it was like I went in to a cone of silence

[@FerasAbuTaha]

Loved Loved Loved the video!

[@NachoSotoBustos]

Awesome video

[@claude7473]

If you use a pulse regulator, i.e. oxygen on demand, your tanks last much much much longer. Fiixed flow is not necessary.

[@freightdawg6762]

Awesome video!!!

[@DixonHill]

Thanks for the video, very well done. I appreciate the information to get acclimated before going to training. That answered a lot of my questions.

[@NorthStarAero]

Glad it was helpful!

[@viewerad]

Thank you for this very detailed and informative vid

[@NorthStarAero]

Very welcome!

[@user-vz1ee3vj3f]

Just word of advise , this is a basic Non Rebreather mask that we use in emergency medicine , you need to let the bag on the bottom fill up . There should be a diaphragm inside the mask you hold it down flowing @15lpm and that bag will fill up , it should be fully inflated before you go on O’s With 2000psi in your main H tank , flowing at a rate of 15lpm on a NRB mask , you should have 46min of useable oxygen . There is no need to go above 15lpm via NRB mask

[@buckbuchanan5849]

A NRB mask is not effective in the aircraft. Must have a relatively tight fitting mask. And dependent upon altitude, a pressure demand mask capable of a tight seal, after oxygen is delivered under pressure.

[@Caderic]

@@buckbuchanan5849 This is not a pressure demand mask. It is definitely a non-rebreather and the bag should be filled. Although it has somewhat of a tight seal it is NOT meant to be as tight as a Pressure demand mask.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

Thanks!

[@mikemurphy4814]

great vid! Thank you.

[@pissedoffpapa2841]

Thumbs up and Thank You for a very informative video, I actually googled this hypoxia alert and apparently cirrus is the only one that has it, so when I get my first plane it will definitely be a Cirrus. I was wondering about when you needed oxygen and thanx to you I now have the details.

[@techiphonegames]

Fantastic Video!

[@NorthStarAero]

+TechiPhoneGames Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@brucemcnair2]

Thanks for the vid Mark. Very informative

[@NorthStarAero]

Bruce McNair Welcome, Thank you for watching

[@10--50]

I just spent a full night at 12,000 and hiked around all day at 14,200 ft feeling great... Lol Sitting down and breathing O's at 10,000 makes me realize how much you really do acclimatize living in Colorado

[@NorthStarAero]

Hi Remington, It's more than just functioning. In the air you are required to use both fine motor skills and critical decision making. Both of which have been proven by numerous studies to be negatively affected at altitudes as low as 6,000MSL.

[@10--50]

Yeah I totally agree with you there. I've seen people get full altitude sickness at 8,000 feet. Acclimation does make a difference like the heli rescue teams on and near mont-Blanc for instance fly to 14,000 ft + consistently with no oxygen. I think the 10,000 limit is a good rule of thumb for most people to be on the safe side, even then sats can drop below 90

[@NorthStarAero]

You are absolutely right that altitude impacts everyone differently. If you are used to hiking and spending time at higher elevations you have a huge advantage over us "flat landers". The last time I had to pull the plane over to the fuel pumps in Leadville I thought I was going to need to go on O2 lol.

[@10--50]

It is a big advantage, It's can be really hard on visitors . But Lake city Airport?! How was the take off

[@savagecub]

Nicely done video. Very impressive systems on that little airplane. I would like to see better oil cooling though. That temp being high for most of the flight is certainly not ideal for making it to TBO. Perhaps either Cirrus or TCM will address that with some enhanced oil cooling abilities.

[@NorthStarAero]

Yes this aircraft had an issue with the unit that opens the oil cooler which is supposed to happen at 180. It's was addressed at the service center when I landed after the flight. Normally they stick pretty close to the 180 in flight.

[@flynbrian5878]

GOOD WORK THANKS!

[@FlyingOstrich]

What was your climb performance looking like approaching FL250?

[@simonperkes8210]

Hi Mark, just seen this as planning to get my 22T up at FL, noticed you said the oil temp got high hence the power back, was this a spurious event on the day or is this to be expected on all upper FL cruise? always figured a bit of messing about re mask and all that to get up there rather then keep to WOT at FL100.... yet, thinner air, faster etc.. i get it, however if you need to power back as a rule to keep temps safe and are reliant on tail wind then is there a huge benefit ? Great video and would appreciate your thougths on Oil temp at upper levels. Thanks, Simon

[@NorthStarAero]

This aircraft actually ended up having an issue with the oil cooler that had to be fixed after I landed. It's normal to see the engine run a little bit hotter in the FL's but still well within the normal range. Normally I won't go into the FL's just for the extra true airspeed, I go for the tail winds. True airspeed may be 15 knots faster where tail winds may be 100kts

[@simonperkes8210]

Thanks Mark, makes sense and appreciate the reply, got one other question id love to get your feedback on that ive been getting mixed answers from the Cirrus community, don't want to clog up this channel so do you have an email address i can ping question to ? thanks, Simon

[@KimBrar123]

NorthStarAero

[@Mikinct]

Thanks for posting this video man, good info. Is there any harm flying at these altitudes with out being pressurized on the body. I know oxygen is most important but are there any ill repercussions of doing this routinely over weeks, months years?

[@steveburrington4288]

Super informative. Where how do you fill up tank?

[@NorthStarAero]

The tank is behind the baggage area bulkhead and has a filler port in the aft wall of the baggage area

[@avfan967]

Awesome video Mark! Very informative! When identified as a Cirrus at 25,000 do you find ATC checking in/on with you?

[@NorthStarAero]

No not really. I used to get alot of questions about the plane a few years ago because the controllers were surprised at its capability at high altitudes. Now its pretty common and I rarely get asked anything.

[@mawkbuff]

Great video... but is the issue with high oil temp at FL250 normal in the SR22T? You mentioned that you were ferrying a new aircraft, and it looked as though it was either in the fall or winter. I realize there’s not a lot of cooling airflow to cool the oil due to thinner air at flight level 250 but if you were going to be limited to a 65% throttle setting it’s sort of defeats the purpose of buying a turbo. I just would like to know if that is something that is normal in Cirrus turbos or native to that particular aircraft? Thanks for the great videos keep them coming

[@NorthStarAero]

It depends on the plane and the current weather conditions. Most of the time you can fly at 25k without issue but you always want to be aware to need to keep an eye on your temps.

[@dave991122]

Very good video, I learned a lot. So how expensive is oxygen, I'm assuming it's available at most major FBOs?

[@NorthStarAero]

+david barker to refill the Cirrus 77cuft tank I have seen it run anywhere from $25-$70. Pretty much any FBO can or have the local shop do it. All jet have back O2 tanks so it's very common.

[@institorisinstitoris959]

Does NA (non turbo) have the same descent function or it's just for sr22t?

[@hdaviator9181]

Why did you use the mask over the cannula that you showed at the beginning?

[@NorthStarAero]

+HDaviator You can only use a the cannula up to 18,000' above that your must use the mask.

[@jguillermoii]

The oxygen system in the SR22T is that a tankless system similar to hospital oxygen concentrators?

[@NorthStarAero]

The Cirrus with Factory O2 have a 77CUFT tank in the tail. Thanks for watching!

[@lanlandezhu]

do you really need this between 10000 and 14000 ft? I am saying 14000 because I frequently hike at that altitude and it doesn't affect me a lot...

[@evacody1249]

+Denny Crane Seeing as how Mt Everest is the highest point on earth where are you hiking that is at 14000 feet?

[@drewway9599]

+Epica124 he's hiking on Mt. Imagination.

[@lanlandezhu]

+Epica124 Mt Everest is 848x meters which is about 26000 ft.

[@evacody1249]

Denny Crane I was trying to make a point which you total missed.

[@NorthStarAero]

+Denny Crane It does effect you much more than you would think. Especially fine motor and problem solving. It also has lot to do with physical fitness and a persons physiological adaption to lower partial O2 pressure. Here is a good article www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1114067/ and Here is a calculator that you can plug in altitudes and get the air pressure and how it will effect your body. www.altitude.org/air_pressure.php

[@OmarCapellan]

This video made me subscribed. Great job

[@NorthStarAero]

Thank you for watching!!

[@antbotsquad6769]

Or get a pressurized airplane

[@wingzfan102]

Did you have any DCS symptoms?

[@anonymousaubergine4455]

i dont really get it...why do you need O2 at FL230 when an airliner flies at FL390?

[@colinrasmussen9470]

+John Yyc Because airliners pressurize the cabin so that the air pressure inside is the equivalent of a much lower altitude.

[@NorthStarAero]

+John Yyc A normal airliner is pressurized to a cabin altitude of 7,000 to 8,000 ft. So at 39,000 ft you are breathing the same pressure inside the cabin as you have standing on a mountain at 8,000'

[@anonymousaubergine4455]

so this plane is not pressurised then?

[@NorthStarAero]

+John Yyc Correct, most small aircraft are not pressurized.

[@anonymousaubergine4455]

thkx for the info.

[@chinaman0389]

Wait are you in a SR22?

[@NorthStarAero]

+chinaman0389 SR22T

[@pilotwinebrenner5102]

Do you need to be on IFR to fly that high?

[@NorthStarAero]

+Ann Myers Correct, above 18,000' MSL you must be on an IFR flight plan.

[@avfan967]

+Pilot Winebrenner Class A airspace

[@donstor1]

92 on your pulse ox is too low. That’s normal for a 92 year old smoker.

[@NorthStarAero]

92% Is not going to kill you though.

[@andrewcaroline]

As a former firefighter we couldn't wear a beard because of leakage around the mask , I see you have a beginning of a beard?

[@CenturyofTerror]

inhalation of the air in the cockpit isnt a danger, as smoke would be for a firefighter. Also, masks can indeed seal around a beard. In the oil field working around H2S there were masks that indeed sealed enough for having a beard.. some companies allowed it some did not...

[@breadandcircus1]

If you are not healthy, you should not fly a plane alone

[@markrettinger]

Crashing a plane is probably less dangerous than crashing a car. When a plane crashes, it usually just dumps in a field somewhere and doesn't kill anyone other than the pilot. A car, however, is usually traveling at 50+ mph around dozens of other cars. If the driver becomes incapacitated and loses control, he is likely to take someone out with him. So flying a plane alone, regardless of your health, is far less dangerous than driving a car alone. Furthermore, to fly a plane alone, you typically have to get medical clearance from an FAA appointed physician. No such medical clearance is required for driving. So you should really say "If you are not healthy, don't drive a car alone." Flying a plane alone is probably fine.

[@PeterPete]

Do you need medical advice when taking that oxygen? I thought oxygen is a prescribed drug.

[@Caderic]

It is a prescription drug when used for thearapy, but for FAA use it is not. You can go to many FBOs and get your O2 filled, just like you can go get oxygen for a cutting torch filled without a prescription. (Although all three of those are "different" oxygen.

[@PeterPete]

@@Caderic so you're not aware of the hazards of breathing in oxygen then?

[@Caderic]

@@PeterPete Oh yes, I used to be a paramedic, I am very aware, as is the FAA and FDA and the rest of the alphabet soup. The hazards of breathing oxygen is that people like you live. Without oxygen we die. As far as to much oxygen...yest that is a real thing and I am also aware of that. And regardless of weather I, personally am aware, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR AVIATION OXYGEN. When you are hypoxic (which starts at about 10,000 ft.), the hasards of to much oxygen oar overshadowed by the fact that you don't have enough. Which in case you aren't following, when you don't have enough oxygen, that is the exact as to much.

[@PeterPete]

@@Caderic i just find it amusing that oxygen is a drug and yet pilots can take it whenever they want! it's stupid!

[@Caderic]

@@PeterPete Your statements are becoming more ignorant. First, pilots are trained in the use of oxygen. Second, pilots are inherently levelheaded and intelligent (sans the outliers). By the way, caffeine is a drug. The likelihood of something happening from to much oxygen is extremely low (

[@azdad5949]

Sheesh ... this guy spends HALF of the video telling viewers what he's going to show in the video. Put it in the description!

[@TODAYNEWS914]

flatearthnews

[@Gold586]

for the face mask to be effective you have to inflate the bag then put the mask on so the bag moves in and out makes the oxygen mask function as it should. rebreather mask requires inflation.

[@mrpielover615]

Gold586 thats incorrect, its the same as they tell you on commercial flights when youre on the ground and they go through safety procedures, they say in case of a decompression and you get the mask on although the bag does not inflate oxygen is flowing