Here’s one we missed in our Sun ‘n Fun 2024 coverage. Oxygen bottles rule the general aviation space because pedestrian oxygen generators simply aren’t optimized for use in small aircraft cabins. Aithre Aviation said there has been sizable demand for such a system so it developed one—called the Turbo Oxygen Maker—and it brought one to Sun ‘n Fun 2024. Aviation Consumer Editor-in-Chief Larry Anglisano spent some time in the Aithre booth for a demo with Aithre’s Dr. James Runnels, who described the unit’s operation and installation.

Larry Anglisano
Larry Anglisano
Larry Anglisano is a regular AVweb contributor and the Editor in Chief of sister publication Aviation Consumer magazine. He's an active land, sea and glider pilot, and has over 30 years experience as an avionics tech.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Good report, Larry. Love the hat. 😉

    Did you get a change to try the unit out? Are you planning an article in Aviation Consumer soon with more details? If my math is correct, the unit would draw about 7 amps on a 12 volt system.

  2. I am really considering this unit for my Bonanza. Eventually, they should wire in an altitude switch, so it will use power only when needed.

  3. I like the idea, but; “One person to 18,000′ or 2 people to 15,000” will never help at high altitude (20-25k’) where we fly.

    However, two or three of these would be fantastic for mid-altitude, long-distance flights in older small aircraft (like my old Cessna 195) when landing where oxygen is not affordable or available.

    • Unfortunately, the process they use to concentrate oxygen from ambient air has its limitations as the air gets thinner at altitude. Building a unit to function at FL 20+ would require a much heavier package that used a lot more power. But, as you say, it is a good idea for we folks who ply the 12-15k altitudes on occasion. It’s also a good idea for a lot of us to use at lower altitudes, especially at night. The aging pilot population should really be using supplemental oxygen while cruising at 9-11,000 feet on long cross-country flights. Most of us don’t do that because of the expense and hassle of keeping an oxygen bottle filled and ready. This device eliminates all of that.

  4. We recently flew east via airlines to pick up an aircraft. Due to weather constraints it was decided we would take a portable oxygen system. BAD PLAN. The airlines treat an oxygen system about the same as a firearm. The bottle has to be empty,and you must be able to prove it is. Upon arriving at your destination you are now faced with the task of getting it refilled, and if the retrieval flight has to be scrubbed,the bottle will have to be re emptied in order to take it home. The oxygen generator is not subject to this.

LEAVE A REPLY