Do helicopter pilots need/use oxygen masks?

Answer 1

This would only be the case for extreme high altitude operations. The FAA requires oxygen to be used when flying at or above 12,500 FT MSL (obove sea level) for more than 30 minutes. Oxygen systems for helicopters exist for high altitude and certain search-and-rescue operations with utility and cargo helicopters. The FAA recommends use of oxygen at 10,000 FT MSL - The FAA also regulates that passengers must have supplemental oxygen available over 15,000 feet and that it is recommended that supplemental oxygen be used at night at altitudes over 5,000 feet

http://peosoldier.army.mil/portfolio/swar/aw/HOS.pdf

Helicopters rarely operate at such altitudes and 99.9% of the time you would not see such a system in a helicopter.

Use of oxygen has nothing to do with the speed or the fact that turbine engines are being used. Helicopters are not built for speed and their turbines are not used for speed, but for the additional power with a relatively low weight engine.

There are also no laws in place from prohibiting any helicopter to fly above an altitude that would require oxygen.

Answer 2

conserving oxygen available is an helpful protection precaution for intense circumstances, such as protection stress pilots may bump into. quite frequently, jet pilots in pressurized plane do not could placed on mask, yet there are exceptions (as an celebration, above a particular altitude, one pilot ought to placed on an oxygen mask if the different leaves the flight deck for any reason, each now and then). Pilots of small unmarried-engine unpressurized airplanes can take income of oxygen, too, in the adventure that they are flying above 5000 ft or so, yet many don't worry except they're intense adequate to be legally required to apply oxygen. Above 5000, evening creative and prescient starts to visit pot in case you do not have an oxygen provide, even with the actual undeniable actuality that there regularly are not the different symptoms till you bypass plenty more beneficial. the region is worse in case you smoke. Above 12,000 ft or so, pilots are required to apply oxygen in an unpressurized airplane. no longer a techniques above that, all and numerous is had to apply oxygen.

Answer 3

Choppers almost NEVER go high enough to need oxygen masks.

Military chopper pilots don't wear masks either. Watch the movie "Firebirds", which is about a bunch of Apache pilots, starring Nicholas Cage.

Answer 4

hi heli crews need oxygen equipment when flying above flight level 100 /10000ft above sea +-/ as any other aircrew shoud.

notice that russian design Mil Mi 24 Hind helicopter is equipped with overpressurized cockpit to operate in areas after use of NBC weapons and they have their oxygen equipment in the cockpit.

btwe notice the average terrain height in afghanistan for example.. there should be oxygen euquipment extensively used.

Answer 5

I am the one who had been flying over most difficult terrains of one of the highest mountainous ranges of Karakoram and Himaliya on Rescue Missions. The flying is demanding and once we go above 10000 feet as we cannot fly without oxygen. I must also correct my friends that helicoptors can fly as you can take the example of AS 350 B3 landing on Summit of Mount Everest. Rescue operations had been conducted at a level of 21000 feet. apart from Rules safety comes first.
I suppose this will solve your problem.

Answer 6

Check the list of helicopters that are certified to fly above 12,000 feet and there are several. All pilots must have supplemental oxygen above that altitude.

Answer 7

no, even the apapche pilots dont wear the mask. helicopters cant get high enough altitude.

Answer 8

MH-53E have LOX capabilities, but it's rarely used!
If O2 is used, its generally portable, I know the guy that landed on top on Everest in the Aerostar had bottles in the back, but they where not affixed perminently.

Answer 9

No. only Military personnels. they fly at high altitude. domestic helicopters cannot fly that high due to Federal laws. also,it a pain in the butt to wear that heavy oxygen mask while enjoying flying.

Answer 10

Sure, if the service ceiling is over 14,000 feet. Not a lot are but they're out there.