II.K.

High Altitude Operations_____________________________________________________

References:
1. Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR’s) Part 91
2. AC 67-2 (Medical Handbook for Pilots)
3. Airman’s Information Manual (AIM) pg. 8-1-2
4. Pilots Operating Handbook (POH)
5. FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual

Objective To develop the students understanding of High Altitude Operations as they pertain to
aviation.

Elements 1.) Regulations related to the use of Oxygen (o2)

2.) Physiological effects of altitude
3.) Technical characteristics of o2 systems
4.) Decompression effects and solutions

Schedule 1. Discuss Objectives 03

2. Review Material 02
3. Development 20
4. Conclusion 05

Equipment 1. White Board / Markers

2. Model airplane
3. AIM

IP’s Actions 1. Discuss lesson objectives

2. Present Lecture
3. Ask and Answer Questions

SP’s Actions 1. Participate in discussion

2. Take notes
3. Ask and respond to questions

Completion This lesson will be complete when the student demonstrates an understanding of the
Standards elements related to High Altitude Operations.

II.K. High Altitude Operations

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Instructor’s Notes: II.K. High Altitude Operations____________________________________
INTRODUCTION:

WHAT? – High altitude operations are those operations where the ambient air pressure does not provide enough
o2 for normal physiological needs.
WHY? – As we operate more complex aircraft that fly faster and higher, we must address the effects of oxygen
depletion on the body and different systems to correct for this phenomenon.

OVERVIEW - This lesson will cover the basic elements pertaining to High Altitude Operations, including:
1.) Regulations related to the use of Oxygen (o2)
2.) Physiological effects of altitude
3.) Technical characteristics of o2 systems
4.) Decompression effects and solutions

DEVELOPMENT:
HOW?
1.) Regulations related to the use of Oxygen (o2)
A.) Far 61.31 (g) (Additional training required for operation at high altitudes)
1. Required for aircraft with service ceiling above 25,000 feet MSL
2. Requires Ground instruction and logbook endorsement covering
B.) 91.211 (Supplemental Oxygen Requirements)
1. Un-pressurized Aircraft
a) Cabin pressure 12,500 – 14,000 feet MSL
(1) Crew over 30 minutes duration must use supplemental oxygen
b) Cabin pressure above 14,000
(1) Crew must USE supplemental oxygen
c) Cabin pressure above 15,000 feet MSL
(1) Each occupant must be PROVIDED with supplemental oxygen
2. Pressurized Aircraft (above requirement plus…)
a) Above FL250
(1) 10 minute supply provided to each occupant
b) FL350 to FL410
(1) One pilot must wear automatic mask that provides oxygen if cabin pressure above 14,000
feet MSL
(2) NA if two pilots at controls and both have quick donning type
(3) If one guy has to make a head call, the other puts on the mask
c) Above FL410
(1) One pilot must wear automatic mask that provides oxygen if cabin pressure above 14,000
feet MSL
2.) Physiological effects of altitude
A.) Hypoxia
1. Hypoxia is a state of oxygen deficiency in the blood sufficient enough to impair functioning of brain.
2. 4 TYPES OF HYPOXIA
a) Hypoxic- due to lack of partial pressure at altitude.
(1) 12,000' 87% saturation. Slp 96% (not due to a reduction in the amount of oxygen. 21%
through atmosphere)
b) Hypemic(anemic)- reduction in oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Usually caused by carbon
monoxide, attaches to hemoglobin 200 times easier than oxygen.
c) Histotoxic- reduction in oxygen carrying-ability of blood. (usually due to toxins in blood, i.e.
cigarettes, drugs, alcohol)
d) Stagnant- not enough blood to brain from lungs. Associated with poor circulation or g-forces.

3. Symptoms
a) increased breathing
b) light or dizzy head
c) head ache
II.K. High Altitude Operations
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 d) sweating
e) tingling/warm
f) blue fingernails(cyanosis)
g) reduced vision
h) sleepiness
i) poor judgment
j) slowed decision making
k) euphoria
l) personality change.
B.) Corrective action-
1. Administer oxygen gradually to eliminate symptoms and prevent serious injury, possible death.
2. Emergency descent to lower altitude.
C.) Prolonged o2 use can be harmful
1. Symptoms include
a) bronchial cough
b) fever
c) vomiting
d) nervousness
e) irregular heartbeat
f) lowered energy.
D.) Decompression sickness
1. When surrounding atmospheric pressure lowers drastically, nitrogen, absorbed into the bloodstream
can return to gaseous state (bubbles)
E.) 2-types:
1. Trapped gas: expanding or contracting gas can result in abdominal pain, toothache, pains in
ears/sinuses if pressure not equalized.
2. Evolved gas: when pressure of body drops sufficiently, nitrogen comes out of solution and forms
bubbles, which can have adverse effects on some body tissues.
a) SCUBA diving compounds the problem because of use of compressed air.
3.) Technical characteristics of o2 systems
A.) Overview
1. Cabin pressurization eliminates the need for use of supplemental oxygen.
2. Compressed air comes from either dedicated compressor, turbocharger bleed air
3. Pressurized airplane structures are much different
4. Pressure is controlled by outflow valve. Opening and closing outflow valve is dilated to shut down
or relieve air pressure
B.) Terms
1. Differential pressure
a) Difference between cabin pressure and outside pressure (measured in PSI)
2. Pressurization components
a) Cabin pressure regulator valve
(1) used to set cabin pressure altitude
b) Outflow valve
(1) valve which accomplishes pressure mgmt
c) Safety valve
(1) includes pressure relief valve(prevent over pressurization)
(2) Vacuum relief allows outside (ambient air) to enter cabin on descent
d) Dump valve allows dump of cabin air

3. Pressurization instruments
a) Differential gauge
b) Cabin altimeter
c) Cabin pressure VSI
C.) Types of supplemental oxygen systems
1. Continuous flow- certified to fl 410, really only good to fl 250
a) Most common in general aviation
b) Either on or off
c) O2 diluted by exhaled air inside mask.
II.K. High Altitude Operations
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 2. Diluter demand- good for use fl 250 to fl 410, allows for control of o2 content
a) Activates at pre-set pressure altitude
b) Can select normal or 100% o2, or automatic
3. Pressure demand- fl 410 and above but used well below, o2 delivered under positive pressure.
a) High performance jets/turboprops
b) Delivers pressurized o2 to lungs
c) Must forcibly exhale
D.) Importance of aviators breathing oxygen
1. Must be 99.5% o2, can only contain .5 water
2. Water will freeze so medical oxygen not approved
3. Industrial o2 not approved for breathing due to impurities
E.) Care and storage of oxygen bottles
1. Do not over fill
2. Store in proper climate
3. Materials that are nearly fireproof in ordinary air may burn in pure o2
a) oils and greases may catch fire if exposed to o2
b) smoking: DO NOT around o2.
4.) Decompression effects and solutions
A.) Occurs when airplane is unable to maintain its designated pressure differential
B.) Rapid decompression is very violent
1. Fog
2. Smoke
3. Dust
4. Air rushes from the lungs
C.) Primary danger of decompression is hypoxia
1. explosive wind blast and cold is also harmful
D.) Explosive decompression- any decompression that occurs in less than .5 sec
1. Cabin decompresses faster than the lungs
2. PRIORITY IN A DECOMPRESSION IS RAPID DESCENT AND USE OF O2
E.) Types of decompression sickness
1. Bends-pain in joints
2. chokes-chest pains and burning sensations
3. desire to cough
4. possible cyanosis
5. sensation of suffocation
6. progressively shallower breathing
7. if a descent is not made immediately
a) collapse, unconsciousness, and possibly death
8. parasthesia- bubbles in central nervous system
a) partial paralysis, seizures and possibly death

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CONCLUSION

OVERVIEW
Discuss Elements, to include:
1. Regulations related to the use of Oxygen (o2)
2. Physiological effects of altitude
3. Technical characteristics of o2 systems
4. Decompression effects and solutions

PRIVATE PTS
Not Applicable

COMMERCIAL PTS
1.) Supplemental Oxygen
A.) Requirements for crew and passengers
B.) Aviators breathing oxygen
C.) Types of systems and characteristics
D.) Care and storage of high-pressure o2 bottles
2.) Pressurization
A.) Fundamental concept of cabin pressurization
B.) Requirements
C.) Physiological hazards of high altitude ops and decompression
D.) Emergency descent concepts
E.) Operates system properly (if applicable)

COMPLETION STANDARDS:
This lesson will be complete when student has adequate understanding of High Altitude Operations.

II.K. High Altitude Operations

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