ASSIGNMENT 1

1. Explain in your own words the requirement of oxygen system in an aircraft.

The human body is dependent on oxygen. As the altitude increases, the consequent decrease in
pressure reduces the amount of oxygen the human body can absorb when breathing. To enable
flight at high altitudes either the aircraft cabin has to be pressurised, to replicate the pressure at a
lower altitude, or the occupants of the aircraft have to be given supplemental oxygen. At the cruising
levels commonly flown by commercial air transport aircraft, loss of pressurisation can quickly lead to
incapacitation. The higher the altitude, the lower the Time of Useful Consciousness.

Oxygen systems are designed to store or to generate a supply of pure oxygen and to regulate, dilute
as required and then distribute that oxygen to crew or passengers. Oxygen systems are installed in
many military aircraft and in most commercial and business aircraft types. Depending upon the type
and the role of the aircraft concerned, the oxygen system(s) may be used for normal operations, to
provide supplemental oxygen for specific situations or for provision of emergency oxygen in the
event of smoke, fire, fumes or loss of pressurisation.

Crew and passengers use oxygen systems, in conjunction with pressurization systems, to prevent
hypoxia. Regulations require, at a minimum, flight crews have and use supplemental oxygen after 30
minutes exposure to cabin pressure altitudes between 12,500 and 14,000 feet. Use of supplemental
oxygen is required immediately upon exposure to cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet. Every
aircraft occupant, above 15,000 feet cabin pressure altitude, must have supplemental oxygen.
However, based on a person’s physical characteristics and condition, a person may feel the effects of
oxygen deprivation at much lower altitudes. Some people flying above 10,000 feet during the day
may experience disorientation due to the lack of adequate oxygen. At night, especially when
fatigued, these effects may occur as low as 5,000 feet. Therefore, for optimum protection, pilots are
encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet cabin altitude during the day and above
5,000 feet at night.
 2. Explain the types of Oxygen System that is commonly found in an aircraft

Oxygen systems that increase the quantity of oxygen in breathing air are most commonly used as
primary systems in small and medium size aircraft designed without cabin pressurization. There are
3 types of oxygen system in aircrafts. First type of system is Gaseous Oxygen. Oxygen is a colorless,
odourless, and tasteless gas at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressures. Pure gaseous
oxygen, or nearly pure gaseous oxygen, is stored and transported in high-pressure cylinders that are
typically painted green. Technicians should be cautious to keep pure oxygen away from fuel, oil, and
grease to prevent unwanted combustion. The words “Aviator’s Breathing Oxygen” should be marked
clearly on any cylinders containing oxygen for this purpose. Gaseous Oxygen comes in two types of
system that is portable oxygen tanks and in aircraft oxygen system. Portable oxygen tanks are
available in cabin for as therapeutic and for air crew. It is stored in Bottle alloy steel and are Light
weighted. It comes with pressure regulator/reducing valve and pressure gauge. It is also used with a
breather mask. For aircraft oxygen system, it is also divided into 3 types. Firstly, it’s the continuous
flow systems. Most systems are designed to keep you safe up to 25,000 feet. The operation is
simple where air flows continuously to your nose or mouth. There are a couple of variations in the
regulators and the masks, and they can make a big difference. When the line and cylinder are turned
ON, oxygen will flow from the storage cylinder regardless of whether the user inhaling or exhaling.
Manual continuous flow regulators must be reset as altitude changes. Automatic continuous flow
regulators readjust the flow automatically as altitude changes. Continuous flow or Constant Flow
system is reduced to the low pressure by pressure regulator valves or reducer valves. Pressure
regulator reduces the pressure that is usable. Secondly its diluter-demand regulators. When
installed, diluter-demand regulators will be located at each crew position. Above 25,000 feet, your
re-breather mask cannot keep the oxygen percentage high enough to keep you safe. Aircraft that
operate above 25,000 feet and up to 40,000 feet use a "diluter-demand" oxygen system. Diluter-
demand oxygen systems supply oxygen only when the user inhales through the mask. This system
uses a face-tight seal to ensure cabin air does not unintentionally mix into the mask. An automix
lever allows the regulators to automatically mix cabin air and oxygen or supply 100 percent oxygen,
depending on the altitude. Since it automatically mixes oxygen and air only as you inhale, a diluter-
demand system generally lasts longer than continuous flow. Thirdly, at 40,000 feet, there isn't
enough pressure in the atmosphere to allow your lungs to absorb safe levels of oxygen, even if
you're breathing 100% O2. At that point, you will need some extra pressure. Pressure-demand
oxygen systems are similar to diluter demand oxygen equipment, except that oxygen is supplied to
the mask under pressure at cabin altitudes above 34,000 feet. A pressure-demand system forces
pressurized oxygen into your lungs as you breathe. Pressure-demand regulators create airtight and
oxygen-tight seals, but they also provide a positive pressure application of oxygen to the mask face
piece that allows the user’s lungs to be pressurized with oxygen. This feature makes pressure
demand regulators safe at altitudes above 40,000 feet. Since the system forces air into your lungs
under pressure, you will need to force it back out as you exhale. Next is type of oxygen is the Liquid
oxygen. Liquid oxygen (LOX) is a pale blue, transparent liquid. Oxygen can be made liquid by
lowering the temperature to below –183 °C or by placing gaseous oxygen under pressure. A
combination of these is accomplished with a Dewar bottle. This special container is used to store and
transport liquid oxygen. It uses an evacuated, double-walled insulation design to keep the liquid
oxygen under pressure at a very low temperature. [Figure 3] A controlled amount of oxygen is
allowed to vaporize and is plumbed into a gaseous oxygen delivery system downstream of a
converter that is part of the container assembly. Finally, the third type of oxygen is the Chemical or
Solid Oxygen. Sodium chlorate has a unique characteristic. When ignited, it produces oxygen as it
burns. This can be filtered and delivered through a hose to a mask that can be worn and breathed
directly by the user. This is used in many large a/c. It will chemically produce oxygen for 15 minutes.
It has a service life of 10 years. This system requires no high pressure, being very light weight and
also inexpensive. The units are located at PSU and other essential locations.

3. Explain the operation of Dilute Demand Oxygen System.

The diluter-demand type regulator holds back the flow of oxygen until the user inhales with a
demand-type oxygen mask. The regulator dilutes the pure oxygen supply with cabin air each time a
breath is drawn. The demand mask provides a tight seal over the face to prevent dilution with
outside air and can be used safely up to 40,000 feet. With its control toggle switch set to normal, the
amount of dilution depends on the cabin altitude. As altitude increases, an aneroid allows more
oxygen and less cabin air to be delivered to the user by adjusting flows through a metering valve. At
approximately 34,000 feet, the diluter-demand regulator meters 100 percent oxygen. This should
not be needed unless cabin pressurization fails. Additionally, the user may select 100 percent oxygen
delivery at any time by positioning the oxygen selection lever on the regulator. A built-in emergency
switch also delivers 100 percent oxygen, but in a continuous flow as the demand function is
bypassed.

4. State the safety procedures when working on aircraft oxygen system

 Prohibit open flames (including smoking) within 50 feet of the aircraft.
 Do not permit aircraft servicing or maintenance operations which may inherently or,
accidentally induce ignition sources or combustibles concurrent with oxygen servicing. These
include fuelling, fuel and hydraulic system repairs, use flammable cleaning fluids, de-icing
fluids, etc. Do not operate electrical switches or connect or disconnect ground power
generators when performing oxygen system maintenance.
 Electrostatically ground the aircraft and electrostatically bond the oxygen charging system to
the aircraft.
 Good housekeeping practices are necessary in the vicinity of oxygen system maintenance.
This is particularly true with combustibles such as grease, lubricating oil, asphalt, etc. The
importance of cleanliness cannot be overstressed. Never permit oil, grease, or other
combustibles to come in contact with any part of the aircraft's oxygen system or the
charging equipment. Do not handle oxygen equipment with oily hands, gloves, cloths, or
tools Do not perform in work wearing oily or greasy clothing. Keep protective caps on
equipment in position gas long as possible and replace as soon as possible. Before charging,
inspect all connections for cleanliness. If dust, dirt, grease, ( any other contaminant is found,
 it shall be removed with detergent or solvent approved for oxygen service. Bleed a small
amount of oxygen through hose or valve outlets before connecting to the fill fitting to
eliminate foreign material which may escape external inspection
 Use only lubricating and thread compounds specifically approved for oxygen service under
the pressures and temperature involves. Do not use oil or grease.
 Keep the system free of contamination by immediately capping exposed ends. Use clean
caps (NAS814 or NAS815. Do not use masking tape.
 Avoid damaging oxygen containers, hoses, etc. Secure equipment so that it cannot fall or
roll.
 Do not tamper with safety devices or mar identifying marks symbols and nameplates.
 Should a valve outlet become cogged with ice, thaw with warm (not boiling) water.
 Do not direct gaseous oxygen at the body or clothing because of the possibility of fire and/or
personal injury.
 Before commencing the charging operation, turn all oxygen regulators in the aircraft to the
OFF position. Make certain that threads on mating parts correspond of each other. Never
force connections which do not fit. Fittings with worn or damaged threads should be
replaced.
 Alter making all connections check the connection for tightness by audible and visual means.
If a leak is suspected, test with a solution specifically approved for oxygen service.
 Always close charging equipment discharge valves when charging is completed.
 Open container valves slowly. Rapid opening, and subsequent sudden and fast discharge of
oxygen into the aircraft's oxygen system can cause dangerous heating which could result in a
fire or explosion of combustibles within the system. Container valves should be fully opened
to prevent leakage around the valve item.
 Never use wrenches, hammers, or other tools to force container valves. If a container valve
cannot be hand operated, it should t considered defective and returned to the supplier.
 Never attempt to repair or alter the oxygen system or charging equipment at other than
maintenance facilities established to accomplish this work. Field operations should be
limited to the minimum needed to ensure tightness and correct operation of the aircraft
system.
 When flow testing the aircraft's system use the minimum amount of oxygen necessary to
check the system.
 Release the pressure before attempting to tighten or loosen any oxygen tubing or unions.
This is not intended to prevent connecting or disconnecting the type of containers which
incorporate self-opening and self-venting valves