Choosing Your Oxygen System
This can be a daunting task at first, I admit. I just installed a system in a Duo for a student of mine. Yes a student pilot with a new Duo, I love my job.
Start by figuring out what size bottles fits in the sailplane.
The next consideration is consumption. If you are out west and using oxygen for most of the flight the largest bottle might be important. Please click the links to view the consumption charts for Aerox and Mountain High.
Some sites require you to remove your bottle, this may or may not be an easy task. Other sites have a remote fill, this is very nice on Schempp-Hirth gliders where it takes a gymnast to contort behind the spar to remove the bottle.
I see many pilots with a second bottle they can leave to be filled while flying.
Carbon bottles are amazingly light, this weight savings can easily offset the calories from the 6 pack you drank the night before. But they do have a 15 year useful life.
The more efficient EDS unit might be better suited for your location and circumstances.
EDS (Electronic Delivery System) vs Continuous Flow
EDS:
- Less user input during flight
- Most efficient
- Fancier system
- Turn on and allow to operate (I don't want to say 'turn on and forget', that would be a bad practice, as you should always monitor your O2 saturation)
Continuous Flow
- Least expensive
- Requires adjustment during flight
- No batteries
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Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
