Impact of Facial Hair on Pilot Oxygen Mask Efficacy

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently lacks modern empirical evidence to determine whether facial hair degrades the performance of contemporary pilot oxygen masks under operational emergency conditions. This creates uncertainty in FAA advisory guidance, operator policies, and potential regulatory decision-making regarding mask use, emergency procedures, and facial hair allowances. This research will evaluate whether pilot oxygenation (SpO2) is maintained during high altitude airframe decompression events. Human subjects will complete controlled hypobaric hypoxia condition testing in the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) hypobaric chamber while first bearded and subsequently clean-shaven during quick-don oxygen mask use as tethered to a civilian aircraft oxygen system. The results will determine the impacts of facial hair on pilot oxygen mask efficacy with focus upon adequate pilot oxygenation at pressure-altitude (45,000’) that demands positive pressure gas supply and. Additionally, mask seal function will be tested at the normal cruising cabin pressure-altitude of 8,000’ to assess if smoke/fume/odor ingress is present with facial hair with focus upon preservation of oxygen gas rate of usage not to exceed the regulation that requires a minimum 15 minute supply. This research will directly inform potential revisions to 14 CFR §§, 91.211, 121.333, 121.337, 135.89, and AC120-43 as well as Technical Standard Orders TSO-C78, TSO-C89, and TSO-C99, and associated SAE oxygen system standards.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine

  800 Independence Ave., SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Campbell, James

  Zinke, Stacey

  Baig, Hammad

• Principal Investigators:

  Campbell, James

• Start Date: 20260602
• Expected Completion Date: 20280602
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pilots; Civil aircraft; Decompression; Oxygen equipment
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01997222
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
• Files: RIP, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 27 2026 12:27PM