Pressure breathing O2 regulator these days?

Back in the old days (you know, like the 1980s?), the standard pressure breathing O2 regulator for wave flying was the A14. They were (relatively) cheap and common, and pretty much all of the players like Bikle and Harris used them.

Does anybody have a sense of what is being used these days? I looked around a couple of years ago, and it seemed like A14s were no longer common, and getting one overhauled was rather an expensive proposition. And of course, by now all of the rubber parts would be half a century old, so the one in the back of the closet is probably junk. And when you are trusting a mechanical device to jam a calibrated pressure of O2 into your alveoli, you want it done right.

So, what is currently being used for pressure breathing, and where do folks get them?

Thanks, Bob K.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014 10:29:53 AM UTC-5, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
Back in the old days (you know, like the 1980s?), the standard pressure breathing O2 regulator for wave flying was the A14. They were (relatively) cheap and common, and pretty much all of the players like Bikle and Harris used them.

Does anybody have a sense of what is being used these days? I looked around a couple of years ago, and it seemed like A14s were no longer common, and getting one overhauled was rather an expensive proposition. And of course, by now all of the rubber parts would be half a century old, so the one in the back of the closet is probably junk. And when you are trusting a mechanical device to jam a calibrated pressure of O2 into your alveoli, you want it done right.

So, what is currently being used for pressure breathing, and where do folks get them?

Thanks, Bob K.

http://www.cobham.com/about-cobham/m...egulators.aspx is one source.

Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank.. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton

For the more adventurous among us:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/2040887...age?ref=market

Take two along!

Dan Marotta

On 11/15/2014 8:59 AM, wrote:
Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton

Britton, thank you for that very thorough rundown of the situation!

I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't anything in the way of commercial pressure-breathing regulators, and that our choices are basically either old or ancient military hardware.

But it is what it is, and I appreciate the time you've taken to figure it out and also to write it up!

Thanks again, Bob K.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/HP-24...t/200931354951

On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:28:51 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
For the more adventurous among us:* https://www.etsy.com/listing/2040887...age?ref=market



Take two along!

Dan Marotta
On 11/15/2014 8:59 AM, wrote:

Looks like the one we had in the SHK in the '70's and '80's. Had the pressure mask also. Never had to flick the 30,000ft switch though. It was a 'portable' system with tank fitted behind the pilot one the right side and an arm with the regulator and pressure gauge and plumbing over the right shoulder.

Mask was similar to this
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMAG1861.jpg





Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't
theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton

On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:17:38 PM UTC-7, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:28:51 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
For the more adventurous among us:* https://www.etsy.com/listing/2040887...age?ref=market



Take two along!

Dan Marotta
On 11/15/2014 8:59 AM, wrote:

Looks like the one we had in the SHK in the '70's and '80's. Had the pressure mask also. Never had to flick the 30,000ft switch though. It was a 'portable' system with tank fitted behind the pilot one the right side and an arm with the regulator and pressure gauge and plumbing over the right shoulder.

Mask was similar to this
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMAG1861.jpg





Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't
theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'.. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment.. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton

In many cases, there is a specific mask to be used with each regulator model. It's not always a mix-n-match situation.

On Sunday, November 16, 2014 8:13:01 AM UTC-7, Bill D wrote:
On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:17:38 PM UTC-7, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:28:51 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
For the more adventurous among us:* https://www.etsy.com/listing/2040887...age?ref=market



Take two along!

Dan Marotta
On 11/15/2014 8:59 AM, wrote:

Looks like the one we had in the SHK in the '70's and '80's. Had the pressure mask also. Never had to flick the 30,000ft switch though. It was a 'portable' system with tank fitted behind the pilot one the right side and an arm with the regulator and pressure gauge and plumbing over the right shoulder.

Mask was similar to this
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMAG1861.jpg





Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old.. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't
theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton

In many cases, there is a specific mask to be used with each regulator model. It's not always a mix-n-match situation.

In our case some accessories were ex-RAF, like the Ferranti A/H which I'm told came from an AVRO Lightning. I've asked one of the sons of a partner if the O2 system still exists and to send an image, just for fun.

Frank Whiteley

On Sunday, November 16, 2014 8:31:20 AM UTC-7, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Sunday, November 16, 2014 8:13:01 AM UTC-7, Bill D wrote:
On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:17:38 PM UTC-7, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:28:51 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
For the more adventurous among us:* https://www.etsy.com/listing/2040887...age?ref=market



Take two along!

Dan Marotta
On 11/15/2014 8:59 AM, wrote:

Looks like the one we had in the SHK in the '70's and '80's. Had the pressure mask also. Never had to flick the 30,000ft switch though. It was a 'portable' system with tank fitted behind the pilot one the right side and an arm with the regulator and pressure gauge and plumbing over the right shoulder.

Mask was similar to this
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMAG1861.jpg





Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't
theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton

In many cases, there is a specific mask to be used with each regulator model. It's not always a mix-n-match situation.

In our case some accessories were ex-RAF, like the Ferranti A/H which I'm told came from an AVRO Lightning. I've asked one of the sons of a partner if the O2 system still exists and to send an image, just for fun.

Frank Whiteley

Said son indicated it's stored somewhere, if he can remember where he'll send some pictures.

My previous posting was somewhat of a joke but based upon fact.

In the late '80s, needing an O2 system, I obtained two A14 regulators
from an AF museum where my brother worked. From those two, I built one
functioning regulator. A fellow glider pilot who was retiring from the
National Guard gave me his oxygen mask, the same type I used during my
AF flying. I took it to the local Naval Air Station, bluffed my way
onto the base, found the life support shop, and scrounged a couple of
bayonet receiver fittings used to secure the mask to the helmet. I took
these to my parachute rigger and had him make me a strap arrangement to
secure the mask to my face.

Then I went to the local AF base which simply waved me through the gate
and, finding the life support shop secured with a cypher lock, waited
for a pilot to come along and followed him inside. The technicians were
great, completely overhauling my mask with new parts and providing me
with a CRU-60/P (some of you know what that is). When the work was
done, I invited the tech to take a ride to the liquor store and choose a
case of his favorite beer.

This was all when I lived in the lower altitudes of Texas and the only
O2 need I had was for trips to Marfa. When I moved to Colorado, I
decided I needed a bailout bottle so I went to the local National Guard
base and asked the life support section for one. It was gladly given.
I also provided liquid refreshment in thanks. I never mentioned any
sort of payment before hand.

This system served me well for many years though I never took it above
18,000 ft. It was also a PIG with oxygen use. I used a borrowed glider
for my last Diamond and don't recall what system it had installed.

Of course, in today's world, you can't simply walk onto a military base
and ask for left overs. Too bad...

Dan Marotta

On 11/15/2014 9:28 AM, Dan Marotta wrote:
For the more adventurous among us:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/2040887...age?ref=market

Take two along!
Dan Marotta
On 11/15/2014 8:59 AM, wrote:
Since I'm on my own quest for the double lennie next spring here's what I've learned. You probably have received the same info by digging around too but for those that haven't this should be good background.

As always with RAS remember what you paid for the info before you go use it yourself.

A-14's:
Seems like all the old shops of yesteryear that would perform overhauls have gone away. Through tiring searches you'll get to a firm called Fluid Power Inc. they have the rights to legally overhaul older units or manufacture brand new ones. Purchasing a brand new A-14 will cost about $1500 for the regulator and $500 for the blinker unit. Other options with FPI are overhauls that run about $600, but there's a catch; the unit can't be too old. Apparently there was an internal design change and they can only touch the newer units say from the latter 1970's and beyond. I know this because I sent them a very nice looking unit and they returned it untouched. Apparently I had one from the 50's. So try to give them serial number before you waste your money. If you scour their webpage you'll see they'll sell you not only A-14's but a very nice modern portable unit that is slaved to an oxygen tank. It has a government MS number that I can't recall at the moment. But this newer regulator isn't
theirs and they essentially buy it from Cobham and the tank and will gladly sell it to you for around $15000. The other option with FPI is that they will sell the refurbish kit for the guts of the A-14. One verison is a 'soft' kit and the other is a 'hard' kit. The soft kit runs about $150 and should include all new baffles, seals, rubber parts that most of us are in need of I think. The hard kit is more expensive of course and includes a myriad of other items (springs and mechanical bits) that they replace when performing the overhaul. If they receive your business they will create or overhaul your not too old units. In that process they have a small chamber to test the unit up to altitude to ensure everything is working properly based on the different chambers the oxygen moves through for diluter demand, 100% O2 and pressure breathing. Expect a 3 month turn around if you send them or purchase anything. They are a small shop and don't keep things on the shelf.

The rectangular ARO/Bendix units:
These units are now being serviced by Cobham. Once you can get past the first level company contacts that only want to deal with large government contracts, you'll get to more friendly territory. They will gladly sell you a brand new unit which runs about $12000 (same unit the FPI will sell you but without the tank). If you send them a picture and serial number of what you have they'll do the lookup and gladly 'bring your unit up to standard'. They don't perform overhauls per say, just get your unit to mimic what they have the rights for. When I contacted them with photo and serial number of a unit I had, they provided a quote of $3500 to bring my unit to standard with an equivalent version that they sell.

Other Cobham products:
They have chest mounted units available (think C-17 crews pushing out pallets at high altitude), but I don't know how much they cost at the moment. Those units do run on a lower supply pressure so if you go this route you'll need another regulator in the loop from our high pressure tanks we use. If I remember correctly those chest mounted units require an 80psi or less input pressure. Certain units go from diluter demand to 100% O2 at a specified altitude of 32k feet if I think hard enough. I haven't looked too much into this option but I should as I think it's the smallest form factor for our cramped quarters.

That's pretty much all I know for now. Beyond the hardware side of things is the personnel side of things for agreeable wave windows and getting amenable conversations going for the dreaded RVSM limit, but that's a different topic.

If you've read this far, thanks! I've spoken to Einar, Harris, Gordon and Payne on this subject to try to determine my options. Even inquired through work contacts for who overhauls the units on flight test birds. This is the best info I've found so far. I even asked the ASU altitude chamber I attended who services their units. They were in the same boat trying to find a contact that would overhaul their units without breaking the bank.

Good luck,
Britton