Readback: June 2021

IFR Staff

Monday, May 24, 2021 at 02:01 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Supplemental oxygen enhances mental acuity and cognitive function, especially when hypoxia is present (which is often underestimated), but it is not a remedy for fatigue, which requires adequate sleep and rest.
Pilots can experience relative hypoxia at lower altitudes or in pressurized cabins, and using oxygen before landing after long flights can improve cognitive function for better approaches and landings.
Not all RF (Radius to Fix) leg approaches require special authorization, and flying into airports like Asheville (KAVL) in IMC presents distinct challenges such as radar limitations, persistent fog, and increased weather hazards.

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Oxygen If You’re Tired?

I enjoyed Victor Vogel’s “Managing Fatigue” in your April issue. I have asked many people and read many articles. No one has ever said, “Why yes, supplemental oxygen will help keep you wide awake.” This has included AME’s, IFR instructors, et. al.

Is there an FAA rule against saying that? Or Am I so different from the rest of the population? Is there fear that not enough pilots carry oxygen, so the plan is not to inform any of them? Is there concern that not all pilots may react so well? I have relied on it so many times and I do indeed regain full feeling of being sharp almost instantly when sucking on the hose. It has not diminished in multi-hour flights.