Oxygen Concentrator for older folks flying between 7000 to 10,000 feet

Lndwarrior

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Gary
I'm an older pilot that has gotten sensitive to oxygen levels as low as 7500 feet.

I'm also a light sport pilot so I am limited to a max. altitude of 10,000 feet.

My longest flight these days is 2 hours maximum.

This post relates to these three specific situations and not for anything over 10,000 feet because I don't think it would work at higher altitudes.

I live in central California, fly a light sport airplane (Zenith CH601 XLB) and summertime temps, turbulence, and wind conditions frequently make it beneficial to fly between 7500 and 9500 feet. Unfortunately, I start to get foggy headed, and a bit of a headache, even after a short time at 7500.

I was looking at putting together a DIY oxygen bottle system but it seemed like a hassle to buy, and a hassle to refill bottles. Then there was the issue of mounting the bottle in the plane. All in all not really a big deal, but the idea of a small portable oxygen concentrator sounded like a simpler solution.

I had looked online for any articles on pilots using this system but found nothing. This is probably due to the fact that the system has a very limited applicability. You pretty much have to be in my exact scenario for this to make any kind of sense. I doubt these portable systems produce enough 02 for flying higher, but don't know for a fact.

I decided to give it a shot and find out for myself if this would work.

I bought a Varon NT-3, 3 L/m oxy. concentrator from Temu for $201. It comes with a 2 hour battery pack and a 12 volt cigarette lighter power supply. Also includes a short tube and canula.

I also bought a good quality pulse oximeter.

I flew with the system for the first time yesterday and was very pleased with the results. To begin I measured my O2 level at 7500 with the system off. I then turned it on and within just a few seconds my O2 level jumped back up to normal. I flew around at this altitude for some time and my 02 levels stayed right around 98.

I climbed up to 9500 feet, and with the system off, I watched my 02 level drop to 88. I started the machine up and took some deep breathes. In less than a minute my level was up to 97. I stayed at this altitude for almost 30 minutes and felt clear headed the whole time. If I shut the system off my 02 level would quickly drop. However, within a few seconds of turning in on my level would be right back up in the high 90's.

To be clear, I know nothing about 02 systems beyond what I am relating here. I have no other experience with them.

Some takeaways:

- I was really surprised how quickly 02 levels would drop when the system was off. Also how quickly they returned to normal after turning the system back on.​
- I realized that I would need to frequently monitor my levels if I was going to use the system as my max. altitude of 9500.​
- Breathing deeply made a big difference in the 02 levels.​
- The canula was easy to use, though I wanted to scratch my nose lot. The tube that came with the system is too short for my situation so I ordered a longer one.​
- I learned the finger type monitor is not practical for continuous monitoring in my plane. I don't have an autopilot and trying to fly with this thing on my finger continuously was not going to work. I need a different system that leaves my hands free to fly up to my limit. I haven't researched this yet so I have no idea what might be available at a reasonable price.​
- Since I will never fly for more than 2 hours I don't need to use the 12 volt adapter. The battery pack will be more than enough for any flight I would use it for.​

I think this system is going to be beneficial for the occasional times it makes sense to fly at the higher altitudes. I gives me options. I especially like the idea of flying higher when the temps in the central valley are in the high 90s.

Everything I know about 02 systems and 02 concentrators are contained in this post. Both of which are very limited. There would be no point in asking me any further questions since I have no other info.

Also, I've learned over the years that no matter what I post, someone is going to respond with something that aggravates me. I'm too old to want to subject myself to that. For this reason I won't return to this post after it is uploaded. Nor will I read any of the comments. I've just posted this because now there is a least one discussion on this subject online that someone might find useful.
 
I would expect anything battery powered and purchased from TEMU to start on fire, and thus wouldn't take it on an airplane...

I don't know a brand or model, but Aviation Consumer did do a review of an oxygen concentrator aimed at the aviation market several years back.
 
:yeahthat:

previously

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/com...and-up-to-max-altitude-of-10-000-feet.148511/

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/oxygen-concentrator-thread.144982/

lndwarrior said:
Also, I've learned over the years that no matter what I post, someone is going to respond with something that aggravates me. I'm too old to want to subject myself to that. For this reason I won't return to this post after it is uploaded. Nor will I read any of the comments. I've just posted this because now there is a least one discussion on this subject online that someone might find useful.
You're welcome.
 
It's a shame they didn't design it to use a DeWalt flex volt battery.
 
Aithre was at the Soaring Convention last weekend.
 

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I lot of Mooney and Beech guys have Inogen units, mainly G5, but also G4.

I run mine off the battery or a cigarette lighter plug depending on length of flight.

It does 6 liters per minute at max, and that works for 2 people up to 14,000 and one person up to 18,000. When I am using it with 2 people at 14,000, I have to be careful to breath deeply and sometimes need to take an extra breath or two.

I use a Wellue pulse ox ring from Amazon. I wear it all the time when on O2, and it can get set to a % level to alert (vibrate).
 
I have a G4 and it works well. I can get about 2.5 hours on my battery at full power or plug it into my adapter. It is lots easier than a bottle. If you are getting one, get the G5 or G6. Both deliver more and probably enough OX for two people up to 14k'. I would not use the G2 with two using it above 9500.
 
I'm an older pilot that has gotten sensitive to oxygen levels as low as 7500 feet.

I'm also a light sport pilot so I am limited to a max. altitude of 10,000 feet.

My longest flight these days is 2 hours maximum.

This post relates to these three specific situations and not for anything over 10,000 feet because I don't think it would work at higher altitudes.

I live in central California, fly a light sport airplane (Zenith CH601 XLB) and summertime temps, turbulence, and wind conditions frequently make it beneficial to fly between 7500 and 9500 feet. Unfortunately, I start to get foggy headed, and a bit of a headache, even after a short time at 7500.

I was looking at putting together a DIY oxygen bottle system but it seemed like a hassle to buy, and a hassle to refill bottles. Then there was the issue of mounting the bottle in the plane. All in all not really a big deal, but the idea of a small portable oxygen concentrator sounded like a simpler solution.

I had looked online for any articles on pilots using this system but found nothing. This is probably due to the fact that the system has a very limited applicability. You pretty much have to be in my exact scenario for this to make any kind of sense. I doubt these portable systems produce enough 02 for flying higher, but don't know for a fact.

I decided to give it a shot and find out for myself if this would work.

I bought a Varon NT-3, 3 L/m oxy. concentrator from Temu for $201. It comes with a 2 hour battery pack and a 12 volt cigarette lighter power supply. Also includes a short tube and canula.

I also bought a good quality pulse oximeter.

I flew with the system for the first time yesterday and was very pleased with the results. To begin I measured my O2 level at 7500 with the system off. I then turned it on and within just a few seconds my O2 level jumped back up to normal. I flew around at this altitude for some time and my 02 levels stayed right around 98.

I climbed up to 9500 feet, and with the system off, I watched my 02 level drop to 88. I started the machine up and took some deep breathes. In less than a minute my level was up to 97. I stayed at this altitude for almost 30 minutes and felt clear headed the whole time. If I shut the system off my 02 level would quickly drop. However, within a few seconds of turning in on my level would be right back up in the high 90's.

To be clear, I know nothing about 02 systems beyond what I am relating here. I have no other experience with them.

Some takeaways:

- I was really surprised how quickly 02 levels would drop when the system was off. Also how quickly they returned to normal after turning the system back on.​
- I realized that I would need to frequently monitor my levels if I was going to use the system as my max. altitude of 9500.​
- Breathing deeply made a big difference in the 02 levels.​
- The canula was easy to use, though I wanted to scratch my nose lot. The tube that came with the system is too short for my situation so I ordered a longer one.​
- I learned the finger type monitor is not practical for continuous monitoring in my plane. I don't have an autopilot and trying to fly with this thing on my finger continuously was not going to work. I need a different system that leaves my hands free to fly up to my limit. I haven't researched this yet so I have no idea what might be available at a reasonable price.​
- Since I will never fly for more than 2 hours I don't need to use the 12 volt adapter. The battery pack will be more than enough for any flight I would use it for.​

I think this system is going to be beneficial for the occasional times it makes sense to fly at the higher altitudes. I gives me options. I especially like the idea of flying higher when the temps in the central valley are in the high 90s.

Everything I know about 02 systems and 02 concentrators are contained in this post. Both of which are very limited. There would be no point in asking me any further questions since I have no other info.

Also, I've learned over the years that no matter what I post, someone is going to respond with something that aggravates me. I'm too old to want to subject myself to that. For this reason I won't return to this post after it is uploaded. Nor will I read any of the comments. I've just posted this because now there is a least one discussion on this subject online that someone might find useful.
Lots has been written.Heres my article,from Aviation Consumer.


Paul
 
curious about the pulse ox feedback - I could tell pretty clearly at say 9-10k that I'd prefer to have O2.

Are you using the pulse ox meter to help modify your breathing or ensure the equipment is working or something else? The dull headache for me was good biofeedback.
 
curious about the pulse ox feedback - I could tell pretty clearly at say 9-10k that I'd prefer to have O2.

Are you using the pulse ox meter to help modify your breathing or ensure the equipment is working or something else? The dull headache for me was good biofeedback.
Dull headache is a common symptom of mild hypoxia. Oxygen would be beneficial to prevent this.

If my spo2 is less than 90%, I want to go on oxygen. If it remains under 90% on oxygen I want to increase oxygen delivery. Occasional deep breaths may help prevent atelectasis and thereby improve spo2. Increasing respiratory rate isn't indicated for low spo2 and may be harmful.
 
My use of pulse ox is just to get an idea of regulator flow rate after I’ve checked to see if I need O2. I generally know when I need it based on my own experiences and gotten a feel for what setting I’ll need at what altitude. It’s more of a check/confirmation now.
 
curious about the pulse ox feedback - I could tell pretty clearly at say 9-10k that I'd prefer to have O2.

Are you using the pulse ox meter to help modify your breathing or ensure the equipment is working or something else? The dull headache for me was good biofeedback.

I use a Wellue pulse ox ring. You can keep it on all the time. It links to your phone to log readings.

But what I like is, if I drop to a given setting (that you set) it vibrates. In my case, I tend to not breathe deeply, so a couple of deeper breaths and my level comes up.
 
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