A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in an individual’s blood, in addition to heart rate. This non-invasive device measures the color changes that red blood cells undergo when they become saturated with oxygen. By transmitting a special light beam through a fingertip to evaluate the color of the red cells, a pulse oximeter can calculate the degree of oxygen saturation within one percent of directly measured blood oxygen. Because of their portability and speed, pulse oximeters are very useful for pilots operating in nonpressurized aircraft above 12,500 feet where supplemental oxygen is required. A pulse oximeter permits crewmembers and passengers of an aircraft to evaluate their actual need for supplemental oxygen. [Figure 6-47]

Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport

In April 2010, Slovenia’s largest airport, Ljubljana Jože Pučnik, will close for 2 weeks as the third and final phase of the airport’s runway redevelopment project will be carried out. The third phase of the project comprises of the reconditioning of the central section of the runway. The overhaul of the runway includes resurfacing the asphalt as well as expanding parts of the taxiways, replacing the lighting system and installing additional cable conduits. The first phase, covering around 800 metres, was concluded on June 25, while the reconditioning of the other section, involving over 1.000 metres of runway, was completed in the early hours of July 15, this year. The final phase is the most time consuming.

Work will begin on April 7 and will be completed by April 21. During this period aircraft will be rerouted to Maribor, which is approximately 100 kilometres north-east from the Slovenian capital. The entire runway upgrade project will cost Ljubljana Airport 9 million Euros. It will be the first time since 1978 that the runway has been upgraded.

The resurfacing of the runway is just one in a line of many projects being carried out or planned for the airport. More about the complete project can be found here.

Portable electrical pulse-demand oxygen systems deliver oxygen by detecting an individual’s inhalation effort and provide oxygen flow during the initial portion of inhalation. Pulse demand systems do not waste oxygen during the breathing cycle because oxygen is only delivered during inhalation. Compared to continuous-flow systems, the pulse- demand method of oxygen delivery can reduce the amount of oxygen needed by 50–85 percent. Most pulse-demand oxygen systems also incorporate an internal barometer that automatically compensates for changes in altitude by increasing the amount of oxygen delivered for each pulse as altitude is increased. [Figure 6-46]

Seen winding down on the Makarora airstrip on Thursday the 17th was the MD 500E (Hughes 369E) ZK-IHH (c/n 0227E) of Back Country Helicopters. First registered here on 27-09-2007.

Tied down beside the road was the Cessna U206F Stationair ZK-JMS (c/n U206F-01838) of Southern Alps Air Ltd. This aircraft began life in NZ as ZK-DFW on 09-11-1972 and served with the Southern Districts Aero Club at Gore until moving on to Aspiring Air in 1977. In 1992, and some six owners later, it was with Parachute Adventures at Queenstown who re-registered it aptly as ZK-PDZ1 on 07-07-1998. On 20-11-2000 this registration was transferred to Parachute Adventures newly acquired PAC Cresco to become ZK-PDZ2. This Cresco had been ZK-LTR up until this date. The Stationair was then re-registered to its current ZK-JMS. It moved over to Queenstown Air on 12-03-2002 and to Southern Alps Air on 11-11-2003.

Tucked away, under cover, in the back of the hangar was what appeared to be an all yellow Cub.

Continuous-flow oxygen systems are usually provided for passengers. The passenger mask typically has a reservoir bag, which collects oxygen from the continuous-flow oxygen system during the time when the mask user is exhaling. The oxygen collected in the reservoir bag allows a higher aspiratory flow rate during the inhalation cycle, which reduces the amount of air dilution. Ambient air is added to the supplied oxygen during inhalation after the reservoir bag oxygen supply is depleted. The exhaled air is released to the cabin. [Figure 6-45]

Pressure-demand oxygen systems are similar to diluter demand oxygen equipment, except that oxygen is supplied to the mask under pressure at cabin altitudes above 34,000 feet. Pressure-demand regulators create airtight and oxygen-tight seals, but they also provide a positive pressure application of oxygen to the mask face piece that allows the user’s lungs to be pressurized with oxygen. This feature makes pressure demand regulators safe at altitudes above 40,000 feet. Some systems may have a pressure demand mask with the regulator attached directly to the mask, rather than mounted on the instrument panel or other area within the flight deck. The mask-mounted regulator eliminates the problem of a long hose that must be purged of air before 100 percent oxygen begins flowing into the mask.

In the upcoming Learn To Fly issue of dead tree Plane and Pilot, I wrote an overview article covering the Sport Pilot license.
Helping me out with some valuable insights was Jim Sweeney, well-known ultralight/Light Sport teacher/expert who really knows his FAA regs.
One comment Jim made: FBOs have been slow to embrace LSA flight training for a variety of reasons, including reticence to invest in aircraft and training aids for fears the movement would wither on the vine like the Recreational license.
So I was happy to have Jim note this year's increase in LSA training nationwide.
In that vein, Kandace McCoy, in an unusually accurate (for the media) story in the Mt. Vernon News-Register, brought good Christmas tidings for midwesterners: the opening of Southern Illinois LSA Flight Academy, a new school two years in the making that will operate out of Mt. Vernon, IL's Outland Airport.
The Academy, run by SRT Aviation, offers comprehensive LSA training. SRT prez Rich Carney is quoted as saying the school has four flight instructors and several students lined up.
Local officials hold up the new school as a sign of the airport's progressive vision of aviation innovation and economic benefit (local motels, restaurants, car rentals etc.)
A spanking new Jabiru J230 with all-glass cockpit, XM satellite weather, traffic collision avoidance and autopilot will carry the training duties.
The Academy is even spreading the word in a Trade-a-Plane online ad quoting $3325.98 for a Prepaid Light Sport Pilot Package. (Where do you think that $.98 comes in?)
We wish the new school and all LSA training operations the best of success in 2010!
---photo courtesy Jabiru USA