Although my airplane doesnt have a turbocharger, I regularly cruise at altitudes where supplemental oxygen is either required or strongly advised. My personal rule is to use it when above 10,000 feet msl for longer than an hour, or anytime at or above 12,500 feet. Thats during the day; at night, I use it when cruising above 8000 feet. 288
A Tank Too Far
Although my airplane doesnt have a turbocharger, I regularly cruise at altitudes where supplemental oxygen is either required or strongly advised. My personal rule is to use it when above 10,000 feet msl for longer than an hour, or anytime at or above 12,500 feet. Thats during the day; at night, I use it when cruising above 8000 feet. But for the solo flight in question, I planned to be at or below my oxygen altitudes. Although I had a full bottle aboard the airplane, it was buried in the baggage area, under all the gear I needed for my two-week business trip.
Key Takeaways:
- Despite personal rules for supplemental oxygen use, the pilot failed to keep his oxygen bottle accessible for a solo flight.
- Unexpected rerouting and weather necessitated a climb to 13,500 feet, leading to fatigue and an urgent need for oxygen after 30 minutes.
- The pilot had to unbuckle and awkwardly retrieve the buried oxygen bottle mid-flight, leading to the crucial lesson of always keeping essential items readily accessible.
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