Better Mask, Lightweight Onboard System

It's pretty hard to get excited about an oxygen mask -- unless you fly with one a lot. Most masks are about as comfortable as they'd be if they were approved by Torquemada rather than the FAA; Aerox was the first to offer an alternative (the nasal cannula) and has also offered several generations of masks, including these new silicon- based masks which are more comfortable than their older models. The new masks and products described here are SO new they're not on Aerox's web site yet, but should be before too long.

One welcome feature available on the new mask is an airtight voice- emitter, similar to that used by military chemical protective masks. Imagine a sort of air-lock with a vibrating diaphragm on either side, which transmits sound nearly perfectly (a regular oxygen masks muffles your voice to the point of unintelligibility). This voice- emitter lets you mask up and talk on the radio with your own mic (or, more common these days, headset).

There's also a version of the mask with its own microphone inside. Both versions work to allow communication while masked; the one you choose is a matter of personal preference.

The Aerox oxygen-conserving cannula is preferred by some pilots still, but it's limited to a pressure altitude of 18,000 feet which crimps the utility of long-legged turbocharged planes like turbo Bonanzas or 210s, or many turboed light twins. (A mask can take you to 30,000 feet, which is higher than the certified ceiling of many of those aircraft -- typical T210s, for instance, top out at FL 290).

The board display is Aerox's new lightweight onboard system, which is very similar to the system used in Aerox's Cirrus SR-20/22 STC. (The difference is an electrical rather than hydraulic actuator). What you see on the board is the whole thing, although of course the O2 bottle is larger on the real airplane. This reduces the effect of one common objection to onboard oxygen, that it adds weight to the system. It can be installed in certified aircraft as a one-time STC, or installed in experimentals with a simple logbook entry.

The second objection, that some FBOs gouge for an O2 refill versus taking your canister to an oxygen supplier yourself, of course, is out of Aerox's control. if you're a canister-dragger, well, Aerox has you covered there, too.

Aerox even has a mask for dogs -- but that's literally another story!

FMI: www.aerox.com