High Altitude RV Flight

[Bobo]

If you plan to fly high (18K & above), having a good source of oxygen is not the only thing to to be aware of. Consider the slight possibility of Altitude-Induced DCS (Decompression Sickness). The FAA has published a 4 page brochure https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pi.../media/DCS.pdf that discusses DCS. Some highlights include:
- Altitude DCS is a risk every time you fly in an unpressurized aircraft above 18,000 feet
- Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of altitude DCS and monitor all aircraft occupants, including yourself, any time you fly an unpressurized aircraft above 18,000 ft
- Keep in mind that breathing 100% oxygen during flight (ascent, enroute, descent) without oxygen prebreathing prior to take off does not prevent the occurrence of altitude DCS
- Do not ignore any symptoms or signs that go away during the descent. In fact, this could confim that you are actually suffering altitude DCS. You should be medically evaluated as soon as possible
Be safe, be smart & pay close attention to what your body is telling you.

[Whitman]

Can you imagine being at 20k and having a cockpit fire that can't be controlled? That concerns me more than hypoxia. Maybe that's because I've been hypoxic before in the alt chamber. Nope probably not. Fire is scary.