Re: 2005-03-28 12:55 * PROBE INTO GAGARIN'S DEATH MAY RESUME

In article <114i4v35fdiibc1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Pat Flannery <flanner@xxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
>
> Peter Stickney wrote:
>
>>The 4200m altitude he mentions is about 13,800'. A climb to the top
>>of Pike's Peak reaches a higher altitude. You're certainly _not_, if
>>you're in physical shape to fly, going to pass out at 14,000', even
>>without supplemental Oxygen.
>>
> The FAA doesn't even require that pilots use supplemental oxygen till
> they get beyond 10,000 ft. IIRC.

The FAR that applies (FAR 91.211, Supplemntal Oxygen)
reads as follows:
91.211 Supplemental Oxygen

(a) General. No person may operate a civil aircraft of
U.S. registry ?

(1) At cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet (MSL) up to
and including 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the required minimum
flight crew is provided with and uses supplemental oxygen for
that part of the flight at those altitudes that is of more
than 30 minutes duration;

(2) At cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet (MSL) unless
the required minimum flight crew is provided with and uses
supplemental oxygen during the entire flight time at those
altitudes; and

(3) At cabin pressure altitudes above 15,000 feet (MSL) unless
each occupant of the aircraft is provided with supplemental
oxygen.

So, if you're going to be at 14,000' or below for a half hour or less,
you don't need to use the mask at all.
But - that's for a Spherical Frictionless Optimum Human - if you're a
smoker, or tired, or it's night (the first thing to go is night
vision, when slightly hypoxic), you're better off, overall, getting on
at some lower height. Be that as it may, I'd have to say that it's
more likely that a Gremlin ripped the engine access door off than
Gagarin passed out from flying at 14,000' for 30 seconds in an
unpressurized airplane.

--
Pete Stickney
p-stickney@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Without data, all you have are opinions
.