Thanks everyone! I’m taking Colyn’s thread suggestion to help anyone
searching the archives.
I have the feeling that if I had decompression, rapid or otherwise,
I’d want as little to think about as possible. For that reason I might favor a
built-in system, like Colyn’s arrangement with a control switch that’s easy to
get at. I think Mountain High’s “RCV Desmo” system looks like a very simple
setup, with a remote tank fill and a mechanical pressure gauge that can be
mounted in the pilot’s view.
The other option might be a bracket-mounted portable fixed to the back of
the copilot seat so the gauge faces the pilot. That seems to me at this point to
be the simplest, cleanest solution. I distrust bags- things tend to rotate in
them and if you’re reaching back trying to attach or turn something single
handed it can be very difficult. Mountain High has a four-place plug-in
regulator that mounts directly to the cylinder- I could imagine having the
mask(s) already plugged in so it would be a matter of turning on the cylinder
valve and donning the mask. The downside is I might have other issues to deal
with so a built-in might be worth the extra expense. Knee room for a rear seat
passenger might be a problem as well.
I think either one would be easy to flow test as Jeff
suggested.
Trouble is- I can’t seem to find much info from the listed dealers
so I can get some idea on pricing of various options. I checked Spruce and
didn’t find much that was helpful- Lancair has an emergency system that looks
promising for a seat-back install. Where have people bought their systems?
Directly from Mountain High?
Thanks very much- Bill Wade
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2013 5:51 PM
Subject: [LML] Oxygen suggestions
[having
a useful Subject Line can help those looking at LML history ]
When I did research on adding O2 to the TBM 700, I discovered we did not
need the $60,000 STC with auto drop down masks and all the electronics that
Socata said was necessary. For passengers, have the mask on their
lap and accessible was sufficient. For pilots, I could add a Mountain
portable tank to my back seat. Scott second-hand pressure demand
masks were available (that time for $600) and could be reached and donned in a
matter of seconds. If you want emergency setup with little delay in
receiving O2 I would think that is the way to go, not cannula for the flying
pilot. Installed behind the copilot seat, you reach, pull it on and
flow.
I think the cost of that setup would be $1000 or so and you would have
maybe the best possible arrangement in a small plane for those worried about
speed of delivery.
Paul
Legacy
Bill,
Great questions. The ultimate
answer is this is really a life or death decision. About once or twice a year
some pilot runs out of O2 above 20K' and drills along until the plane runs out
of fuel.
So- O2 switch should be in
front of you-- not on floor, behind seat etc.
Mask definitely.
Around your neck.
Preflight system before
takeoff to ensure proper flow.. especially if bottle is remotely mounted.
Practice-- at night blindfolded with Tim's mum in
law screaming at you.
You would be surprised how stupid one can get at
FL250 when the cabin depressurizes and how little time (seconds) it takes. All
the stuff you hear about "time of useful consciousness" applies to a healthy
cardio fit 25 year old lieutenant flying an F/A-18. It does not IMHO apply to
a 60 year old out of shape fat guy in a Lancair!
Jeff
(remember I am also the same wimpy guy that said
do not practice stalls in a Lancair so take this with a grain of
salt)
For starters, if there was a
rapid decompression at altitude how quickly can a system be activated? Mask
or cannula- should they be worn around your neck and plugged in just in
case?
-----Original
Message-----
From: Bill Wade <
super_chipmunk@roadrunner.com>
To:
lml <
lml@lancaironline.net>
Sent:
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 12:18 pm
Subject: [LML] Re: LML roots
I agree. I've never used an oxygen system before but would like to install
an emergency system in the IV-P I'm building. For starters, if there was a
rapid decompression at altitude how quickly can a system be activated? Mask
or cannula- should they be worn around your neck and plugged in just in
case? Flow adjustments- I don't know enough yet to even ask intelligent
questions. Thanks- Bill Wade
-----Original Message-----
From: Greenbacks, UnLtd.
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 7:40 AM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Re: LML roots
I for one, would like to see LML return to its roots because in my
experience, it's been adrift for a while. In other words, discussion of
building techniques and problem solving and best building practices
generally as they apply to our Lancairs. As well as interspersed with
discussion of
how to safely and responsibly fly what a lot of us put together in our
basements over many years. How about the topic of approach to stalls and
spin avoidance. Gee, we haven't heard much on this subject in quite a while.
:-) How about portable oxygen solutions, is there a clear winner out there?
I plan to test the upper end of the altitude envelope in my 360 this year so
I need to know.
And as for pre purchase advise for a 235/320/360, do your homework and go
get a ride or 2 or 3 or more. Is there anyone left out there who does not
know that the 235 gross weight was increased to 1500 lbs over 14yrs ago?
Oh, and here's a suggestion that may send a few people running for the
hills, opinions may be interesting but really ought to be backed up by fact.
Cheers,
Angier Ames
N4ZQ
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