Originally Posted by
Old Akro
Ixixly said "Once again, I don't see this as that much of an imposition.".
I also wonder if you have flown at 10,000 ft. Previously, you could cruise at (say) 10,000ft, then pop up to 10,500 or 11,000 ft (subject to the transition layer) for a short period without oxygen to get over a buildup. Now you cant.
I agree its prudent to use oxygen early if you are going high. I'll often use it above 8,000 ft. But, prudence and mandatory regulation are 2 different things. When I did my hypoxia training (have you done that Ixixly?), I did an added segment where I operated at a simulated 14,000 ft for 30 minutes. At that density altitude your judgement is slightly impaired, but there are many circumstances where its a whole lot safer than punching into weather. Why can I not use judgement without running the gambit of CASA's strict liability regulations.
A favourite quote at the moment is from Les Abend from Flying magazine (quoted by Chesney Sullenburger in his book) which is along the lines that pilots are selected for their knowlege and experience, but assessed for their compliance. Its time CASA allowed us to excercise knowledge & expereience again.
Also, (unlike the USA), we cannot simply go and buy a portable system. The removeable / portable system in Australia requires an STC and flight manual supplement for the specific aircraft - hence another round of engineering order & flight manual revision costs on top of the oxygen system. We need the USA style expemtion from engineering orders for minor modifications.
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I have infact, I've done it quite a few times and personally know I can get to 18k without having any serious effects but I've also done a lot of long-distance running and know that is far from the norm. I've also spent quite a bit of time sitting above 20k in unpressurised Aircraft on portable systems. You've just said yourself that you believe it's prudent to use it above 8k, so we have some agreeance there, the issue isn't with people like you or me that have done hypoxia training and operated at higher altitudes so, therefore, get it, the problem is those that think it's no big deal and therefore don't need to worry about oxygen. That is why regulation like this is put in. It is unfortunate to need these regs, but if everyone practiced common sense all the time we wouldn't need any rules or regs to have standards at all.
From CASAs perspective they know there are plenty of Pilots punching higher to get better weather/winds which is great but they also know there are likely to be plenty thinking "I'll just go to 10k and she'll be right, don't need no oxygen" then find themselves at 12k as they needed that little extra and then find themselves stuck above that without oxygen and no hypoxia training or real understanding of the effects it's having on them.
I don't remember requiring any STC or Flight Sup for portable oxygen either, if it matters we used the Mountain High Portable Kits, maybe some other type needs it?