At what altitude do pilots need oxygen masks?

For Part 91 General Aviation operations the required flight crew must use supplemental oxygen for any portion of the flight that exceeds 30 minutes above a cabin pressure altitude of 12,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) up to and including 14,000 feet (MSL).



People Also Ask

The CFRs require that at the minimum, flight crew be provided with and use supplemental oxygen after 30 minutes of exposure to cabin pressure altitudes between 12,500 and 14,000 feet and immediately on exposure to cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet.

MORE DETAILS

Oxygen masks release whenever there's a drop in cabin pressure. Sometimes the flight crew might initiate the release. However, it usually triggers automatically when the cabin altitude gets to 14,000 feet.

MORE DETAILS

When and How Are Oxygen Masks Released? Oxygen masks release whenever there's a drop in cabin pressure. Sometimes the flight crew might initiate the release. However, it usually triggers automatically when the cabin altitude gets to 14,000 feet.

MORE DETAILS

Masks will automatically drop
Any cabin depressurization above a certain altitude (usually around 14,000 feet) will cause the panels of the chambers containing the masks to automatically open, and the masks to drop down. This can, of course, be done manually by the cockpit crew as well.

MORE DETAILS

FAA encourages oxygen use for pilots on flights operating above 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL). The regulations for flying above an altitude of 12,500 up to and including 14,000 are fairly simple. At that altitude, all crew must use supplemental oxygen continuously if the flight is over thirty minutes.

MORE DETAILS

Without oxygen, you will quickly feel drowsy and even euphoric, a phenomenon known as hypoxia, but as time passes, continued lack of oxygen to the brain will lead to blackouts, passing out, and possibly even death.

MORE DETAILS

How high can you fly without a pressurized cabin? Most planes flying today use a cabin pressure control system that ensures safe and normal breathing for everyone onboard during flight. The general rule is that planes should have cabin pressurization when they go above 10,000 to 14,000 feet.

MORE DETAILS

Importance to Members And that at cabin altitudes above 14,000 feet pilots must use oxygen at all times. And that above 15,000 feet each occupant of the aircraft must be provided supplemental oxygen. All of this is spelled out in Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91.211.

MORE DETAILS

When you fly on an airplane, the flight attendant instructs you to “put your oxygen mask on first,” before helping others. Why is this an important rule for ensuring survival? Because if you run out of oxygen yourself, you can't help anyone else with their oxygen mask.

MORE DETAILS