FAA regs on cpap i nflight, new in 5_2009

[pennster]

To get approved an engineer has to perform a series of bench tests and strain tests to ensure aircraft electrical safety...

Bench tests and strain tests? You've got to be kidding me. People plug 17" laptops which consume as much power as a small hairdryer, dvd players, ipods, phones, video game systems, and a variety of other devices into those power ports. Most of which consume more power than most CPAP machines, even with heated humidifiers. And most of which emit far more radio frequency energy than a CPAP machine.

I take my CPAP on the plane all the time. I've never asked for approval. If an FA were ever to have a problem with it, I'd ask her where the approval sticker is on my neighbor's laptop and go back to sleep.

Brian

[timbalionguy]

The RFI rules apply to 'computing devices' as well as radio equipment. This is unfortunate, as almost every modern CPAP machine has a microcontroller (computer system on a chip) in it. They allow digital device use during level flight, as this is less likely to cause problems with the *critical* navigation aids needed during takeoff and landing. Radio transmitters are never allowed because they transmit. Radio receivers are not allowed because most contain a 'local oscillator' that under certain circumstances can radiate like a transmitter.

They take safety too far these days. Life is not risk-free, and anyone who thinks they can make it risk-free is out of their minds.

[billbolton]

If an FA were ever to have a problem with it, I'd ask her where the approval sticker is on my neighbor's laptop and go back to sleep.

Trying to playing mind games with aircrew is a loosing proposition at any time. If you manage to sufficiently antagonise aircrew over a flight safety matter you can end up on a proscribed passenger list.

Common used electronic devices (that is, the sort of things that are produced in volumes that are counted in multi-millions of units per annum) do go through compliance testing for general RFI containment purposes and will carry FCC (or similar) compliance marks indicating that...... so you would definitely loose out if tried your proposed approach in practice.

[plr66]

BillBolton, do you happen to have any idea of what type battery is in the Everest2 package?

[billbolton]

They take safety too far these days. Life is not risk-free, and anyone who thinks they can make it risk-free is out of their minds.

Anyone who thinks that safety in air travel is "taken too far" is "out of their mind", as the reports from the International Society of Air Safety Investigators and similar organisations, will quickly show!

[billbolton]

BillBolton, do you happen to have any idea of what type battery is in the Everest2 package?

From http://www.directhomemedical.com/machin ... iomed.html

Integrated System Battery (Optional)
• Proprietary Design >> Nominal 16VDC, 4S3P Li-ion, replaceable cell pack
• Recharge Time >> Less than 4 hours with depleted cells
• Dimensions >> 5" x 7.5" x 1.175" (adds approx 1 inch to CPAP height)
• Operational Time Sample >> 11 hours @ 10cm H2O with non-heated humidification

Cheers,

Bill

[plr66]

BillBolton, do you happen to have any idea of what type battery is in the Everest2 package?

From http://www.directhomemedical.com/machin ... iomed.html

Integrated System Battery (Optional)
• Proprietary Design >> Nominal 16VDC, 4S3P Li-ion, replaceable cell pack
• Recharge Time >> Less than 4 hours with depleted cells
• Dimensions >> 5" x 7.5" x 1.175" (adds approx 1 inch to CPAP height)
• Operational Time Sample >> 11 hours @ 10cm H2O with non-heated humidification

Cheers,

Bill

Thank you, Bill! I'm trying to remember what you have said about the adviseability of whether to drain this particular type of battery before re-charging, or to re-charge every X-amount of time when not being used between trips, or ??? Would you mind re-capping or linking me to that discussion?

[dcryandc]

I've used my BiPAP machine twice on international flights - once to Germany and once to Buenos Aires, both on United in business class. There is a power port at the seat (and I have an adaptor kit just in case). I placed the machine on my tray table on one flight, and on the window ledge on another. The first time I used it I alerted the flight attendant that i would be wearing the mask - she couldn't have cared less!

In both cases I got 4-5 hours of good sleep with it. I cannot sleep sitting up otherwise - my airway closes.

So, I have done it and recommend it!