Some “small planes” do have pressurization systems built in, so their oxygen-related regulations differ from the more typical private plane. Of course, if the flight is not expected to get close to the altitude where supplemental oxygen for passengers is required by regulation, there is no need to bring that system on board. There are other systems, but the norm for a supplemental oxygen system is the dual-cannula method of delivery. You may have seen these in hospitals, where patients have small tubes inserted up both nostrils, and the tubes are providing pure oxygen. The supplemental oxygen systems provide oxygen to the body usually through nasal cannulas. That system will contain an oxygen cylinder, a regulator, tubing, and a way to get the gas into the body. Supplemental oxygen for passengers in small airplanes may be built-in, but, in most cases, is brought on board as a separate oxygen system that can be removed when the flight is over. Supplemental Oxygen and Supplemental Oxygen Systems As a result, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has created regulations for the use of what is called supplemental oxygen. Small, non-pressurized airplanes rarely go into those high altitudes, but they can get close. In a normally-pressurized cabin, it’s completely unnecessary. This is the situation where airlines are actually providing oxygen for passengers. When this happens, the “rubber jungle” drops down from the ceiling of the airliner, and passengers are supposed to put the masks over their heads to encompass both their noses and mouths, and breathe normally. If an airliner in cruise loses pressurization, the captain must dive the airplane down as fast as possible (without hurting the structure of the airplane) to get to an altitude where there is higher natural oxygen pressure. In this situation, we say “the cabin is at 6,000 feet,” or whatever altitude the captain has dialed in for pressurization. In airliners, providing sufficient oxygen pressure for crew and passengers is done by pressurizing the entire compartments occupied by humans, often to about 6,000 feet, where the is plenty of oxygen pressure for normal operations.

Having tons of oxygen for passengers with very little pressure won’t get the critical gas out of the lungs and into the blood. That’s right: The partial pressure of oxygen in the gases that are breathed has to be sufficient. Because the time of useful consciousness for a human at those altitudes is just moments, the passengers and crew need a way to get sufficient oxygen pressure. The cruise portion of most airline flights take place between 30,000 and 40,000 feet. (For purposes of this article, all altitudes will be given above sea level.) These aircraft are designed to fly in “the flight levels,” which in common practice really refers to cruising higher than about 20,000 feet above sea level. Don’t small planes have oxygen for passengers? Well, under some circumstances, they do, and under other circumstances, they don’t.īefore we get to the “little airplanes,” let’s start with airlines. And it’s not just the percent of oxygen that is important: It is the pressure of the air, and the oxygen within that air, that plays a major role in keeping us alive and functioning properly. The typical percent of oxygen in breathable air is 20.9%, although we can live with as little as 19.5%.

Oxygen (O 2) is the most vital of the gases that comprise our atmosphere. Certificates and Ratings Earned in Degree Programs.Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.Bachelor of Science Aviation Business Administration.

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