The altitude chamber at Andrews AFB, Md.

by Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

We “know” that oxygen deprivation is something to avoid while trying to fly an aircraft. It’s been drilled into us through our training and, if the popularity of portable oxygen systems is any yardstick, pilots who spend any quality time at altitude on longer flights realize they may need a little help. But few pilots actually get to experience the effects of oxygen deprivation.

The FAA and its Oklahoma City-based Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) have established the Aerospace Physiology Training program allowing civilian pilots to do just that. The training is given at the altitude chambers operated at various locations throughout the country by the U.S.…