Aerox has received FAA approval for its medium altitude oxygen mask with microphone.
According to company officials, Aerox is the only manufacturer to hold a TSO approval for this type of mask, which is certified for use up to 25,000 feet. Receiving a TSO is not a simple matter, officials add, noting it requires rigorous testing to ensure the product or part complies with both the FAA and SAE standards. To achieve the FAA TSO-C103 approval, Aerox had to test a minimum of 88 different people to ensure the mask fits different facial sizes and shapes. Other tests that were performed were fire extinguishment, 28-day mold growth and pull testing.
Flight testing under the direct supervision of a physician was also part of the TSO process. Starting out the test, each pilot had an electrocardiogram. Then each test pilot had their blood oxygen saturation levels monitored at different flight levels to ensure the mask provides the proper amount of oxygen. It was vital to ensure that inhalation and expiration levels were correct, aerox officials said.
Testing was performed by Aerox, as well as independent laboratories. The entire TSO process took over one year of work by an engineer who was assigned full time to the task.
For more information: 800-237-6902 or aerox.com.
